Losing data can be scary. Precious memories saved as pictures, videos, or even letters have great sentimental value to us and are irreplaceable. On the other hand, even files with value like work files, bank accounts, and others also pose a security risk if lost. Here is everything you need to know about data loss and recovery.
Things To Do Even Before Data Loss Happens
There may be signs that your equipment is failing. Failed equipment means possible data loss, so it is crucial that your computer is always in excellent condition. Make sure your anti-virus is still up to date. Always make sure connections are secure and not lose. Backup your data regularly. If you notice any suspicious symptoms like clicking sounds or grinding noises, turn them off immediately.
Additional Do’s During Data Recovery
The most important thing to do is not to panic. When we lose data, it usually fails for three reasons. These reasons are an accidental deletion, a bug, or a virus. The bug or virus may cause data corruption that loses your data. In any case, always be aware and take note of what happened during the time of data loss. Knowing what exactly happened will give your recovery a higher success rate.
Avoid overwriting your data by stopping the use of the affected disk. When a file is deleted, it usually turns invisible however is still present. It is just given a status that it is deleted data, so it does not show up. Chances are it will stay there until the data is overwritten. So if a deleted data needs to be recovered, you want to avoid any action that will overwrite that file. This is the reason you should stop using the disk which is affected.
Lastly, contact a specialist for data recovery. Your best bet will always be a professional to help you recover your data. However, you may want to try doing it yourself. Numerous tools can help you do this. Finding the right one for you is an important step. Also, ensure your power supply is constant during the recovery phase. An unreliable power supply and sudden power failure can cause unexpected consequences like further corruption. This will most likely lessen your chance of a successful recovery.
Don’ts Of Data Recovery
Just as there are many things to follow in the event of data loss, there are also many things to avoid doing. These actions can either make your recovery more complicated or fail as a whole.
Don’t hit, freeze, or heat your disks. I know it is frustrating, and sometimes all you want to do is to beat your equipment. However, any tap or hit can cause further damage that can further destroy your data.
If you feel it is something to do with your board, don’t swap circuit boards. Many components have different levels of firmware, and each firmware works best with specific versions. Trading the boards might disrupt this and cause incompatibilities.
You may be tempted, but common sense dictates that you don’t recover data on the same disk. Recovering data on the same drive will overwrite the existing data you have, so it does more harm. If you are trying to recover by yourself, don’t save or install the recovery tools on the same disk as well.
While using your system, it may prompt you to format or scan the disk if it encounters issues. While your system may recommend this, it is the last thing you want to do if you intend to recover the data in that disk. The actual scanning, repairing, and formatting it will do will cover the existing data on your drive. Basically, it will just overwrite it all.
Data recovery is more than just using the right recovery software or tools. It requires that you have the right experience and knowledge to do the proper technique as well. Any small mistake can result in losing your data permanently.
Lastly, if you suspect any physical damage on your disk, you should never open it. Leave it to certified professionals with the right facilities for it. Forcefully opening it, and exposing it to non-clean room conditions may further damage your drive.
Conclusion
As with anything we do, there is a right way and a wrong way. Data recovery is an intricate and complicated process that needs the right conditions and tools to be successful. Although some fixes are simple enough, there’s no shame in calling for help from the professionals.
