You may not give disk recovery very much thought but when you are suddenly faced with the problem of needing your files recovered, it's like the most important thing in your life. Just think about it: Everything digital picture, document, and maybe even that wedding video lies on that failing hard drive.
Do This And Say Goodbye
Every new computer comes with a restore disk buried deep down in one of those boxes. Then when a problem arises the manufacturers ask you to get it out. Watch out! Most uninformed computer users believe this restore disk is capable of restoring lost data. However, the only thing this CD is capable of doing is restoring the original computer settings that were on your system when you purchased it. It will not recover any additional software or data that is installed or saved.
You should also be warned that using the restore disk instead of disk recovery comes with some risks ' it can and will overwrite all of the software installed and data saved. If you don't maintain an adequate back up of the data you store on your computer, you risk losing it forever. You could lose it all for good if you do not recover your data, before using the restore CD.
The Software Fix
If you encounter a data loss situation which disk recovery software can fix, the job may not be as difficult as you think. In fact, some utilities are so easy to use that all you need to do to get started is to put in the CD, or floppy diskette, run the data recovery utility; they instruct you step by step until the system automatically rebuilds your files. Put in the CD, or floppy diskette, run the data recovery utility, and then attach an external new hard drive to recover the data to.
After the initial steps are complete, then you can reload your system using the manufacturer's restore disk. Disk recovery does take time, and it isn't something you look forward to, but when you realize that you may be able to recover all of your lost data, it's worth it. If it's what it takes to get your data back, it's well worth the time and cost-reduction compared to services.
The Professional Disk Recovery Service Side
Disk recovery software sometimes just doesn't come through, especially if your hard disk drive has physical damage. Like it or not, disk recovery software can end up failing, especially if your hard drive is physically damaged, and fails from the onset.
Choosing the right company is the most crucial part of the recovery process. I stress this point because taking about drives, replacing parts, and even going to extreme measures to get your data recovered is not for the computer maintenance technician. A good place to start is to look for a company which only offers computer forensics and disk recovery services and software.
Reviewing The Possibilities
In at least half of all cases, hard disk recovery software works; plus it's cheaper. But unfortunately it doesn't work in every case; that's when a disk recovery service needs to be considered. In the end, you will have to weigh the data's value verses the disk recovery cost.
About the Author
Returning again with more disk recovery advice to get you started towards a successful recovery. When Ken Roberts is not locked in his lab, he finds time to return calls. If you are interested in interviewing him or simply have a data recovery question go to http://www.atl-datarecovery.com/disk-recovery/index.htm
