Frequently Asked Questions
What was the cause of the hard drive failure?
Heat, friction, electrical problems, and mishandling are the most common culprits. Most people have just never been told how sensitive the inside of a drive is. There are very delicate elements inside that are perfectly calibrated. Any impact to the hard drive can quickly realign the internal components causing black screens, blue screens, and error messages. G-forces are not your hard drive’s friend. Static shock causes more problems than even most technicians realize, because whether or not you feel the voltage, the components slowly deteriorate. A qualified shop will have expensive gear to prevent any further damage.
How long will it take to recover my data?
For software damage, data can often be obtained within a day or two. An advanced company that has the latest technology should be able to copy data at least 3 GB a minute. Computer repair shops don’t have this type of equipment, but a retail data recovery would likely spend the money on better equipment. Electrical and mechanical damage can vary, depending upon if parts are available and if the company has manufacturer equipment.
Should I use hard drive utilities to attempt my data?
This is risky because if the drive has damage, it will quickly cause stress on the drive turning a simple fix into a costly solution. Repair shops do not have the technology to diagnose immediate failures without putting stress on the drive. Even a seasoned technician will attempt to read from the drive to test it, and may lead to the correct conclusion, but unknowingly, most of the time, this action will cause further friction inside or damage the actuator and literally destroy the data bits on the platters.
However, if your drive is in good condition, then a utility could helpful to undelete files or clean up to improve performance. Again, this action may lead to a completely failed hard drive costing more money. Like engines, a drive may begin to fail with a deteriorating head. There may often be only a blue screen at first, or the user may start to hear strange clicking noises, or no external indicator may be present. In either case, attempting to read from a damaged drive will diminish the possibility of recovering data. It is highly recommended to immediately power off the computer to prevent further damage.
What can I do to prevent data loss?
The best thing to do is to make back-ups. Most backups don’t work because they are not set up by an expert and are usually never verified. Hard drives are electromechanical device and will eventually wear- much like a car engine. Various multiple back-ups options have become quite inexpensive in recent years, requiring little more than an external drive. Large organizations are even guilty of not having a specialist ensure their server have the latest technologies. Have the latest anti-virus updates to ensure that a malicious program doesn’t destroy your data. Proper electrical protection will also be worth the investment. There is no substitute for regular checkups to ensure your system is running at its optimal performance. And cloning your hard drive is an affordable method to ensure you are up and running quickly after a catastrophe. A professional data recovery shop has the tools to provide these services.
