What is Data Recovery?
Data recovery is a method of retrieving data from a computer's hard drive that has been lost due to a system crash or mechanical malfunction. Data recovery can also be used to retrieve data that has been overwritten or accidentally deleted from a computer. There are companies and individuals that specialize in recovering data, programs which attempt to extract data from computers that still have some level of function and many do-it-yourself recovery techniques.
Function
Data recovery's main function is to retrieve data from a damaged hard drive or operating system. These failures are referred to as physical damage and logical damage. Often physical damage leads to logical damage, such as when a hard drive overheats causing programs to malfunction and eventually causing the operating system to fail.
Data recovery involves using different methods to tap into a computer's hard drive and retrieve lost, deleted or compromised files. The method used to retrieve this data is dependent upon the type of damage; in cases of physical and logical damage various methods often have to be used to first address the physical damage and second, to address the logical damage.
Techniques
There are several techniques used in data recovery. Sometimes these techniques are used individually or with other techniques depending on the type of damage done to the hard drive and amount of money one is willingly to spend to recover their data.
Hardware Replacement is probably the easiest and cheapest method of data recovery. If a fan is broken and overheating the hard drive, causing it to malfunction, a simple part replacement takes care of the problem. Most data recovery specialist first check for hardware damage before going on to more expensive and time consuming forms of data recovery.
Disk Imaging is often used when a hard drive has been physically damaged. This technique lifts the data image off of the damaged partition of the hard drive and transfers it to a stable partition. It often bypasses the operating system and deals directly with the hard drive. This technique is not always reliable, can sometimes cause more damage to an operating system by overriding sectors and is not able to retrieve all data.
File Restoration is done when the damage is strictly logical and the operating system is still functioning. Most computer manufacturers supply data recovery programs in the box with new computers that will allow the system to check for lost or damaged data in the event of a system failure. One of the problems with these programs is that they will often permanently delete damaged files automatically.
Data Carving is performed by data recovery specialists and involves actually going through each section of a hard drive and searching for specific files. This method is very expensive and is very time consuming.
Recovery Software is available for different forms of data recovery on systems which are still somewhat operable or for operating systems that have totally failed. These programs can be used to reboot a failed operating system, check system for failed or damaged files, recover lost image files and recover damaged partitions.
Misconceptions
Professional data recovery can be expensive and time-consuming so many users attempt to recover the data themselves. There are many data recovery tips on the Internet including freezing, tapping, dropping and spinning the hard drive. While some of these procedures may work once in a while, most of the time they further damage the hard drive and often lose the data permanently. Keep in mind that removing the hard drive from your computer will often void the warranty and end up costing you more in the long run.
Another popular misconception regarding data recovery is that everything is saved somewhere on a hard drive and can be eventually recovered. This is simply not true. A scratch on the hard drive can instantly destroy data permanently and will a computer overwrite. While data recovery systems can often recover most lost data, never assume that everything is salvageable.
Prevention
The best data recovery system is one that you can perform on your own, data back-up. Backing up files on a regular basis can be a lifesaver, just ask any college student who has lost a term paper a few days before it was due. Make it a habit to save documents twice, once on the hard drive and once on a portable memory stick. There are also several online companies that will automatically back-up your data for you on a daily, weekly or monthly schedule. The data is encrypted and stored for you and is retrievable from any Internet connection and sometimes by mobile device.
Warning Signs
Sometimes computers just crash suddenly for no apparent reason, taking out vital data and files with no warning. However there are usually warning signs that a system is about to fail which will give you a chance to back-up your data. Warning signs can include a slow start up and/or shut down, freezing, sudden unexpected shut downs, programs stop working or work improperly, loud noises while the computer is running or overheating while the fan runs constantly.
Tags: hard drive, data recovery, operating system, logical damage, data from, Data recovery, physical damage
