Archive for the ‘hard drives’ Category

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Is a Hard Drive Worth Repairing?

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

At first glance, this question seems simple enough and a quick answer would be that a hard drive is not worth repairing. However, in order to answer the question properly, we must first make a few distinctions and clarifications. There are certain circumstances in which a failed drive can be repaired.

There are two basic types of hard drive failures: logical and physical. Logical failures occur when system files are corrupted or accidentally deleted. They also occur from improper shutdown procedures or power failures. Because the drive is not physically damaged, a good data recovery software program like Data Rescue 3 can often be used to recover all the data from the drive.

Physical drive failure is quite different. Imminent physical failures are often signaled by grinding, clicking or other noised emanating from the drive. The causes of physical failure are varied: normal wear and tear, power surges, natural disasters and physical abuse. While a physically failed drive can be repaired, it is usually not cost effective or feasible. New drives have become so inexpensive that it makes better sense to replace the drive instead.

Nevertheless, you may need the assistance of a data recovery service to retrieve your data from the hard drive if you do not have the data backed up on a separate drive. RAID hard drive data recovery is especially tricky because of the various configurations possible. Internal and external hard drive recovery is simpler, but still requires the expertise of a recovery service to ensure success.

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Making the Switch to SSD

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

While a hard disk drive offers technology that is used by the vast majority of computer users, there is a newer form of hard drive technology that is growing in popularity in the market.   Solid State Drives (aka SSD Drives) are very similar to Hard Disk Drives (aka HDDs) in that they are designed to store large amounts of computer data, however, an SSD Drive performs functions at a faster,more reliable pace in comparison to its magnetic disk counterpart.

SSDs currently make up a very small percentage of the hard drive market and there are a few reasons for this:

1.  Most of all, SSD drives are more expensive than their HDD counterparts. At the time of this writing, a 480GB SSD internal laptop drive was selling for $870. The same reseller had a 500GB HDD internal laptop drive for $70.. So SSD drives are about 10 times more expensive than their HDD counterpart.

2.  Many computer users don’t even know what an SSD drive is, how it’s different and what advantages is has over a HDD. For the un-saavy computer user, they see the SSD option as an option that can almost double their system-cost when they’re custom-building their computer online..

Choosing between solid state drives and hard disk drives is a tough choice. But it comes down to what you need out of the drive;  Fast reliable access to data with the SSD drive or larger amounts of storage space on an HDD drive. Either way, remember to back up your drive daily. If your SSD drive or HDD does fail (logically or physically), The Data Rescue center has the expert tools and experience to recover your computer files-

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Severe Weather Can Cause Data Loss

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

Severe weather can wreak havoc on the lives of individuals and the operation of businesses. There is no way to control the forces of nature. Even though we take steps to prevent damage and loss, there are times when these efforts are not enough. Sometimes unforeseen circumstances occur that are unavoidable.

Lightning strikes cause power surges and ignite fires. The power surges and voltage spikes cause damage to electrical systems and equipment. Power losses often shut down critical equipment unless backup power supplies are installed and maintained. Most factories, emergency services and hospitals have backup generators that will start immediately in the event of power loss. However, many businesses do not have any preventive measures. Computers and similar computers will shut down improperly during a power outage occurs unless back up power supplies are in place.

Sudden, improper shutdowns and power surges will cause data loss on computers. Files become corrupted, unsaved data is lost and computer components are damaged. Voltage spikes will damage the delicate electronics of hard drives. Furthermore, severe weather can bring heavy rain and flooding. Water damage is a real possibility in these events.

A data recovery service can help recover lost data. The Data Rescue Center specializes in personal computer and notebook data recovery. They also recover data lost on network servers. Clients can call the service to ask for data recovery information, such as the steps required, potential for success and cost estimate, before the recovery service is needed. Severe weather preparations should include data protection.

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What is Logical Drive Failure Recovery?

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Logical drive failure is caused by corruption of the file structure or by accidental file deletion. While physical drive failure requires the services of a data recovery company, logical damage can sometimes be handled by the computer user if certain precautions are taken.

If the owner is unsure of what type of damage has occurred, they should shut down the machine and contact a reputable data recovery service for assistance. The Data Rescue Center offers free consultation over the phone. A qualified recovery engineer will discuss the problem and give advice as to what should be done. Self-support with a software solution might be possible.

Logical failure can be caused for several reasons:

· Accidental deletion of the file or files that cannot be found
· Accidental deletion of critical system files
· File corruption caused by improper shutdown of the machine or power loss
· File corruption caused by program or software conflicts
· File corruption caused by malware attacks, such as viruses or worms

Data recovery should be performed before any repairs to the system are attempted. Prosoft Engineering offers Data Rescue PC3 for Windows–based machines and Data Rescue 3 – for Macintosh as software solutions for emergency data recovery. The software CD or DVD can act as a boot disk and therefore it allows the user to recover files from the drive when the computer will not boot or mount the drive. The program can also be run as an application, allowing the user to recover lost files on a working operating system.

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What Happens If My Data Can’t Be Recovered?

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

A data recovery company may need to be contacted when data loss occurs. Data loss can occur for several reasons. Some of the possibilities include:

· Mechanical damage of the drive caused by normal wear or mishandling

· Electrical failure, often caused by voltage spikes or lightning strikes

· Logical failure caused by computer viruses or improperly applied software or firmware updates

Since the correct diagnosis of these causes is vital to recovery, contacting a reputable disk recovery service is the safest route. There are a few companies that put the customer’s needs behind their own monetary goals. They insist on making money, even if the client’s data is not recovered. It may seem that profit is the primary goal, not customer satisfaction.

The primary concern is the recovery of the lost data at The Data Rescue Center. The customer is involved in every aspect of the recovery process, from preliminary diagnosis to the return of the recovered data. A free consultation over the phone to determine a course of action is first. If the drive is sent for recovery, it is evaluated and the customer is sent a free report of the damage and suggestions for recovery.

If the evaluation determines that NTFS file recovery is impossible, the technician will contact the client and offer to return the drive or safely dispose of it. Either option is at no charge to the customer. This “If we can’t fix it, you don’t pay” policy sets The Data Rescue Company apart from the competition.

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How Long Does Data Recovery Take?

Monday, January 24th, 2011

There is no quick answer as to how long it will take to recover files after a data loss. There are several factors involved that will impact the recovery time. The reason for the data loss is an important factor.

1. Files that are merely deleted can often be recovered quickly.

2. Loss due to file or operating system corruption might still be done quickly, but the process could be a little more complicated.

3. If hard drive crash recovery is necessary because of the failure of electronic components or physical damage of the mechanical parts, recovery becomes more involved and will take longer. Electronic failure could be caused by voltage spikes in an electrical system. Mechanical damage can be caused by normal wear and tear on the drive or by mishandling.

The first course of action is to call a reputable technician. The data recovery experts at The Data Rescue Center are well-qualified to determine the reason for data loss and what will be needed to effect recovery. If the drive must be sent in for recovery, the technician will evaluate the drive and prepare a detailed report of the damage and corrective measures needed. This will include a full quote for the recovery and an estimated time for completion.

The technician transfers the recovered data to the storage media of the client’s choice and ships the recovered data to the customer upon completion. Therefore, the total time depends on the steps needed to recovery the data plus the shipping time to and from The Data Rescue Center.

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Who has your data?

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

It is never good when data loss occurs. It can be traumatic when a home user discovers that irreplaceable family photos are gone. When a business suffers from data loss, the results can have a financial impact on their operation. Fortunately the lost data can be recovered in most cases. A data recovery company can provide a solution by recovering the missing files. But care should be taken when choosing such a service.

Almost anyone can acquire data recovery software and start a recovery service. This might be adequate as long as the files have just been deleted. But even then, simple recovery be challenging and further damage could be done. In the event of physical damage to the hard drive, a qualified disk recovery service should be retained. When loss is caused by failed electronics, worn components, or physical damage, simple NTFS file recovery software will not be effective and could be harmful.

There are companies that advertise full service recovery, but they may outsource the damaged drives to a third-party company, providing only software solutions in-house. This should be investigated in advance because the customer must know who is handling his or her data. The more hands that access the data, the more likely it is that irreversible damage can occur. The Data Rescue Center has all the necessary tools, equipment, and training to handle every recovery need, both software and hardware recovery. A single technician is assigned to each repair which facilitates superior tracking and protection of the customer’s data.

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Immediate Steps to Take After Data Loss

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

The loss of critical data can be a disaster for a business. Lost files on a home computer can wipe out years of memories that cannot be replaced. Therefore, the steps taken immediately after data loss are critical to the recovery of the data. Different symptoms, however, will require different approaches to the recovery of the lost information.

If the computer is running normally and the only noticeable problem is that certain files cannot be found, there has probably been an accidental deletion performed. In this case, the situation can possibly be rectified by using quality data recovery software. Data Rescue PC3, developed by Prosoft Engineering, Inc., is one such program and it can be found on The Data Rescue Center website.

Hard drive failure because of logical or physical damage to the hard drive will require a different approach to hard drive crash recovery. Simply running recovery software could actually render the data unrecoverable. If your computer does not recognize the drive on boot up, a logical failure is likely. Damage to electronic components can also act this way. If a grinding or clicking noise be heard during operation, the hard drive should be shut down before permanent damage is made to the internal storage media. Because the case of the drive will need to be opened in these situations, file recovery should be left to data recovery experts. The Data Rescue Center has the equipment necessary, and is staffed with qualified technicians that specialize in drive recovery and repair

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Why Do Hard Drives Fail?

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Hard drive failure can occur on any computer and the results can be devastating. Irreplaceable date might be lost from a failure. Read this data recovery information and use it to protect yourself from a hard drive failure. Hard drives fail for several reasons:

· Mechanical failure of the recording heads from wear or physical abuse
· Electronic failure, possibly by voltage spikes or overheating
· Logic failures, caused by data corruption, improper registry changes, or accidental drive formatting

To prevent hard drive failures, the user should take precautions: do not jar the drive while in use; keep internal components clean; use surge suppression for voltage spikes; and keep antivirus protection updated to prevent data corruption.

Disk file recovery can be accomplished in many cases of failure. The process should be carried out by trained technicians as this procedure is very exacting. There are steps that can be taken, however, that will assist the user if hard drive crash recovery is necessary. Backing up important files is important to both home users and business professionals. There are several options:

· Backup files to optical media, such as CDs or DVDs
· Backup to an external hard drive, which is much easier to access and will hold more data
· Backup files to an online service; the files will be accessible from any computer

Back up is usually performed on irreplaceable data only. It is possible, however, to use disk imaging software, some of which enables installation of the entire system to a new drive.

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Hard drives can fail for many reasons

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

We all have heard the grinding sound that comes just before the crash of a hard drive. Unfortunately, you’ll never know when a hard drive will go bad. Sometimes it will crash right out of the box. Other times you may be able to use your hard drive for years before it starts to fail. But at some point it will fail. At that point you will probably need hard drive crash recovery.
The hard drive is the weakest points in your computer’s system. Unlike other components, it has moving parts. The motor used to put the hard drive in motion can fail. Your hard drive may fail due to problems with its head. This is the part that actually reads and writes the data on the disk. They can become askew or corrupted resulting in no data transfer. The plates or disks themselves can also become warped or not spin correctly resulting in a failure.
Outside sources can also cause failure a virus or other corruption in your system can make the hard drive unresponsive. Sometimes a firmware or operating system upgrade can trigger a failure in the hard drive as well.
In the event of a crash, there may be help. Hard drive crash recovery can take place. A Data Recovery Specialist can retrieve data still on the hard drive but is inaccessible to your system due to the hard drive failure. Data retrieved from a failed hard drive can then be placed into a new hard drive. It often results in a near new operating situation for the computer user.

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