File Recovery Guide

  
File Recovery
File Recovery
Data Loss
Environmental Breakdown Factors
Head Crashes
Creating a Back Up
Norton Ghost
Reformatting Your Hard Drive
Choosing a File Recovery Company
Payment Policies
FAQ's
Site Map

Data Loss

Technology is a beautiful thing until something goes wrong. Unfortunately, many of us know the feeling of losing a 15 page assignment, family pictures, or important business records that we kept on our computers.

Don't Panic!
 One of the main problems that occurs when we lose data is that we start to panic. And when we panic, we push every button possible in hopes of retrieving the precious information. But alas, we only add to the problem.

So what exactly causes the data loss? There are several problems that can cause the dilemma:

  • virus
  • software failure
  • file corruption
  • hard drive crash
  • server failure
  • human error
  • power surge
  • natural disaster

Here you will find possible symptoms and examples of problems that led to your data loss and how you can go about avoiding these problems.

Hardware or System Failure: 78% of data loss situations

Symptoms:

  • error message saying device not recognized
  • boot failure
  • data suddenly disappeared
  • rattling sound
  • hard drive not spinning

Examples:

  • head crash
  • controller failure
  • electrical failure

Prevention:

  • protect against power surges by using an uninterrupted power supply (UPS)
  • protect electrical parts by using computer in dust-free, shaded area
  • don’t shake or remove the covers on hard drives

Human Error: 11% of data loss situations

Symptoms:

  • message saying “file not found”
  • data mixed up
  • configuration error leaving data hard to find

Examples:

  • network failure
  • accidental file deletion

Prevention:

  • if you have no experience, call a professional
  • save your work on a regular basis and back it up

Software Corruption: 7% of data loss situations

Symptoms:

  • messages saying memory errors
  • operating system boot failure
  • software application will not load

Examples:

  • failed backup
  • database corruption
  • configuration complexity

Prevention:

  • back up your work regularly
  • keep up with security patches and updates

Computer Virus: 2% of data loss situations

Symptoms:

  • strange behavior
  • blank screen
  • error messages (including “file not found”)
  • locked files or programs

Examples:

  • email virus
  • boot sector virus
  • file infecting virus

Prevention:

  • use an anti-virus program
  • make sure your backups have been checked for viruses
  • when buying software, make sure the source is trustworthy