Reminder: Backups are Better than Data Recovery
While you probably do not want to read this right now, backups are far more convenient, reliable, and inexpensive than data recovery. The saying that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is true in the case of data backups and data recovery, because in many cases companies will charge upwards of $1000-$3000 to recover files after certain problems. Data recovery can be a detailed, painstakingly slow task, and incorrectly performed data recovery can lead to data loss.
Data Recovery Not Guaranteed
Many companies will promise not to charge you if they cannot get the files you were looking for - but it is very rare to hear a guarantee that the files will be there, undamaged, and ready to use again, no matter what.
The Most Important Data is Also the Most Likely to be Corrupted
The most recently edited files are most likely to have been corrupted. Also, recently edited files tend to be the ones that are consulted the most, and hence are among the most important. Important exceptions include:
- Family Photos. Due to the advent of digital photography, many people no longer keep hard copies of family photographs. In fact, due to the relatively low cost of digital media, most photos now reside on the hard disk which, if you are reading this page, may have crashed. Family members would be devastated to hear that the data could not be recovered.
- Archived project folders. Often we may work on a document, or a project, and then put it away for a while. Such folders, having not been edited recently, are less likely to have been corrupted.
On the other hand, hard drive sectors may go bad due to age causing files to disappear, regardless of whether or not they have been modified recently. Not having looked at a folder in a long time might simply mean that the files have been damaged or missing for a long time without being missed - until now.
To avoid losing important data, we recommend regular backups.
Types of Damage
Hard drive failures may occur gradually over time, or suddenly. Sudden hard drive failure might occur:
- After a power outage
- When a computer is turned off, then on
- As a result of a physical shock
- As a result of a head crash
- Due to power spikes, such as may occur if construction is being done nearby
- Due to S.M.A.R.T. technology in newer hard drives which detects that hard drive is in a failure state and the data needs to be backed up immediately.
- Due to a raid array failure.
Gradual hard drive failures are those which you might notice in small steps before they occur, such as:
- Data corruption. For example, some programs may complain that DLLs or data files are missing, or may stop working altogether. Other programs might simply slow down as they automatically repair themselves.
- Screeching. This sound may be the result of friction as the hard drive spins. It is not a normal sound, and the friction may also be causing excessive heat, which can throw other hard drive parts out of alignment to cause data loss, and eventually to cause newer hard drives to shut themselves down (to provide a chance for you to realize something is wrong and get the data backed up before it is lost forever).
- Knocking or clicking sounds. These sounds almost always indicate a problem. In some cases, defective hard drives may exhibit the sounds only when they are hot, and they get hotter the longer they run. Such drives should be replaced ASAP, and regular (daily) backups are definitely advised for all data that is on hard drives that make these sounds.
Data Recovery is Expensive
We usually perform some reasonable steps with our clients to determine whether data can be recovered inexpensively, but if that is not successful, the minimum price we have found in Canada has been $500 to recover data from damaged hard drives. We have heard quotes as high as $2300 for the recovery of data on a laptop hard drive.
There are several reasons for high prices. The first reason is that hard drive recovery takes a long time. A second reason is that it is easy to lose data in a failed hard drive situation, and that is exactly what the owner of the hard drive fears the most. A third reason is that, knowing that data recovery is expensive, computer users have the much less expensive option of performing regular backups. A fourth reason is that if the computer user has not performed a recent backup, and desperately needs the information on the hard drive, almost no price is too high to pay.
For clients who prefer not to be at the mercy of hard drive recovery prices, we recommend our backup service, as it is convenient, reasonably priced, and easy to budget.
Data Recovery Takes a Long Time
The reasonable first steps that we perform will take at least a few days. The most reasonably priced hard drive recovery service will take from 4-14 days if you want the lowest price, but will perform "RUSH" service for a much higher premium.
By way of comparison, recovering files that have been backed up can take less than an hour, and would cost less than $10 using our service.
Exception: RAID array reconstruction and database recovery (e.g. MS SQL Server or Exchange Server reconstruction) - we are among the few competent firms who can perform this service in hours by taking advantage of extensive research and development.
What NOT to do in case of Hard Drive Failure
If you suspect that your hard drive has failed or is about to fail, here are some things that you definitely should AVOID doing with the hard drive:
- AVOID using the hard drive as if it is not about to fail. If you suspect that it may soon fail, it probably will. If the hard drive is still working, the only thing you should do with it is perform a full backup onto another hard drive.
- DO NOT leave the computer running, except for the purpose of making backups. If you cannot make a backup, then shutdown the computer rather than leaving it on.
- DO NOT subject the hard drive to excessive heat or moisture. Heat can erase data, and moisture can interfere with the function of the drive.
- DO NOT try to repair the drive yourself, UNLESS you have a class 100 clean room (or above), and either know what you are doing, or do not care about the data in the drive. Opening a hard drive in an ordinary environment will expose your data to dust particles that will destroy data.
Other Web Sites With Information About Data Recovery and Hard Drive Failures
Caution! The following sites are not under the control of Transparen Corporation and may contain information that changes from time to time, and as such we cannot vouch for the accuracy or usefulness of the information you may obtain by following these links.
- The Data Recovery Resource Center - Data recovery information, software, instructions and assistance. (Not related to Transparen)
- http://www.i-t-s.com - Offering data recovery, in circuit testing and hard drive sales since 1980. (Not related to Transparen.)
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