Hard Disk Failure and Data Recovery
Author: Bharat Bista
Hard Disk: An Introduction
Hard disk is a non-volatile data storage device that stores electronic data on a magnetic surface layered onto hard disk platters. Word Hard is use to differentiate it from a soft, or floppy disk. Hard disks hold more data and can store from 10 to more than 100 gigabytes, whereas most floppies have a maximum storage capacity of 1.4 megabytes and in addition are faster too. Normally term hard disk is much familiar with computers only but it is widely used as network attached storage for large volume storage. Furthermore, appliance of hard disk drives spread out to video recorders, audio players, digital organizers, digital cameras, and even in latest cellular telephones.
Reynold Johnson invented the first hard disk in 1955 for IBM 305 computer with fifty 24 inch platters and total capacity of five million characters, and in 1956 - first commercial hard disk was launched with 5 megabyte capacity, the IBM 350 RAMAC disk drive. Within time frame of 50 years and rapid progress in technical enhancement, we have now reached to latest 2006 - First 750 GB hard drive from (Seagate) and First 200 GB 2.5" Hard Drive utilizing Perpendicular recording (Toshiba).
Heart of hard disk consists of four basic components:
The Platters: Platters are the actual disks inside the drive that store the magnetized data. Conventional platters are made of a light aluminum alloy and coated with magnetize-able material but latest technology uses glass or ceramic platters as they are thinner and also heat resisting. Most drives have at least two platters and the larger the storage capacity of the drive, the more platters there are.
The Spindle Motor: Hard disk drive consists of a spindle on which the platters spin at a constant RPM. Moving along and between the platters on a common arm are read-write heads. The platters in a drive are divided by disk spacers and are clamped to a revolving spindle that turns all the platters in a uniform motion. The spindle motor is built right into the spindle and rotates the platters at a constant set rate ranging from 3,600 to 7,200 RPM.
The Read/Write Heads: Read/write heads read and write data to the platters, and each head is fixed to a single actuator shaft so that all the heads move in harmony. Typically, only one of the heads is active at a time either reading or writing data. When not in use, the heads are inactive, but when in motion the spinning of the platters generate air pressure that lifts the heads off the platters. The space between the platter and the head is so minute that even one dust particle or a fingerprint could disable the spin.
When the platters cease spinning the heads come to rest, at a preset position on the heads, called the landing zone.
The Head Actuator: All the heads are attached to a single head actuator arm, which moves the heads around the platters. The Actuator arm moves the heads on an arc across the platters as they spin, allowing each head to access almost the entire surface of the platter. Contemporary hard drives use a voice coil actuator, which controls the movement of a coil toward or away from a permanent magnet based on the amount of current flowing through it. Fundamental structures of all hard disk are same, and are composed of the same physical features, but their performance depends on the quality of their inner components.
Hard Disk Failure:
Hard Disk Failure occurs when a hard disk drive malfunctions and the accumulate data cannot be accessed. It may happen in the course of normal operation due to an internal or external factor. Disk failure varies and the most common is "Head Crash" where the internal read and write head of a device touches a platter or magnetic storage surface often grinding away the magnetic surface. Head hover just micrometers from the platters plane which makes such collision a common one. This sort of crash usually invites severe data loss and unprofessional data recovery attempts results further damage to the remaining data. Hard drive also includes other controller electronics i.e., semiconductors, valves or electronic circuits, and major components such as Platters, Spindle Motor and Head Actuator. Failure of any these devices may cause a hard disk
failure. Factors causes disk failure are numerous, yet most common are power surges, voltage fluctuations, electronic malfunction, physical shock, wear and tear, corrosion, exposure to high magnetic waves, sharp impact, high temperature exposure etc.
The phenomena of hard disk failure is raising higher and higher; as to increase the read and write speed, today we have latest hard disk rotating amazingly faster and this immense revolving speed generates massive centrifugal force, a single adverse cause in the course of normal operation can cause severe hard disk failure.
Hard Disk Data Recovery:
Hard disk data recovery is the process of recovering the trapped data from the damage hard disk device, when it can not be accessed in normal circumstance.
Several Techniques are used to retrieving data from damaged hard disk and techniques vary accordingly. It can be done by moving disk drive to a working CPU, or may have to open the disk drive and replace parts such as read/write heads, arms and chips and sometime the platters have to be removed and placed into another drive.
Physical damage can not be repaired by the general users, as it requires clean and dust free lab environment, in addition proper hardware and technical expertise; where under microscopic examination with proper tool and techniques, the damage drive is put on to observation for data salvaging.
In case of worse happening, do consult Data Recovery Service for saving your important data trapped within the damage device.
About the Author:
Bharat Bista
bharat@eprovided.com
eProvided.com
Media Recovery
Bharat Bista is an independent SEO consultant, specializing in Search Engine Optimization and eCommerce. In addition is a professional business article writer in compound subjects.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Raid Data Recovery is a High Tech Exercise
Raid Data Recovery is a High Tech Exercise
Raid Data Recovery is a High Tech Exercise
Author: Andy Butler Ask.
RAID data recovery requires a high level of technical skill and specialized facilities. Not all data recovery companies will have sufficient resources. So your first task if you come to need RAID data recovery is to find a data recovery company with a successful record of recovering data from all kinds of RAID systems.
What is RAID?
RAID is an acronym for Redundant Array of Independent Disks or Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. It improves disk read/write operations and incorporates fault-tolerant features. To some extent, data recovery is built into RAID systems .
A RAID system will have a number of disk drives, all controlled by one RAID controller. The controller manages all the different drives and presents a single logical data view to the system. The drive control function might offer different kinds of drive management utilities, such as scanning or formatting a particular drive.
Redundancy is built in with the system being able to continue to work even if one of the drives fails. A complex mathematical logic ensures that the system can continue read/write operations even if one disk is offline.
The logical array ensures balanced data read/write operations. Instead of overloading just one disk with all the work, the data streams across all the physical drives.
RAID Data Recovery
RAID data recovery starts with rebuilding the logical array. The logical array represents the integrated data view. The original configuration of the RAID system is restored through the array rebuild and this ensures that the next step of file system repair is error free.
If you attempt file system recovery without first rebuilding the array, a huge number of errors could result and the file system can get corrupted. The array rebuild should only be attempted by persons with the requisite level of technical know-how. This is something that few data recovery companies can arrange make sure the one you have found can do this sort of work.
The correct rebuilding of the RAID array ensures quality data recovery and may need the rebuilding of individual drives prior to the rebuild for instance if the server was in a fire or flood. Do not be tempted to just RAID controller. This is a hit or miss and can result in further damage to the array.
RAID data recovery involves additional complexity because there are different RAID levels, RAID controllers and RAID architectures. Drives used can also be different in type, make or model. The reasons for data loss can also be varied and can require different kinds of recovery approaches.
With such a range of complexity, RAID data recovery is not something that can be attempted by just any data recovery company and .
Conclusion
RAID data recovery is technically a highly challenging job. Automated recovery attempts can lead to corrupting the file systems and making the situation even worse. The RAID array has to be rebuilt correctly before file system repair is attempted.
RAID systems can be different in their architecture and hardware components, and data loss can occur from varied causes. These factors also make it important that only experienced RAID data recovery specialists should be entrusted with your serverrebuild or RAID data recovery job.
Rate this Article: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
Article Tags: Hard Drive Recovery, Raid Recovery, Laptop Data Recovery, Emergency Data Recovery Services, Pc/desktop Data Recovery, Usb Memory Stick Recovery, Document Recovery, Zip Disc Recovery, Floppy Disc Recovery
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/data-recovery-articles/raid-data-recovery-is-a-high-tech-exercise-303432.html
Print this Article Print article Email to a Friend Send to friend Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article Send Author Feedback Author feedback AddThis Social Bookmark Button
About the Author:
Andy Butler from ABC Data Recovery writes about Raid-Data-Recovery visit www.abc-data-recovery.co.uk for further information.
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!
Article Comments
Add new Comment Add new Comment
Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha
* Ask a Question
* Related Articles
* Latest Data Recovery Articles
* More from Andy Butler
Ask a Question
Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda
Related Articles
Clean Room Data Recovery - What's Its Significance?
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
What are clean rooms? Why is clean room data recovery important? We look at these issues first.
Data Loss and Data Recovery: an Overview
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Data stored on computers can get lost in several ways. To recover from such a situation the main option would be to restore from backed up data.Alternatively calling on the services of a specialist data recovery company. Reconstructing all the lost data manually is usually not a viable option.
Disaster Recovery Needs Contingency Planning
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Disaster recovery will be an unsatisfactory exercise if it is organized after a disaster strikes. Only a lot of advance planning and preparation can ensure that the business resumes operations quickly after a major disaster.
Forensic Computer Investigations Require Specific Protocol for the Legal Handling of Recovered Data
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Forensic computer investigations seek to gather evidence for determining whether computer systems have been used for unlawful or unauthorized activities. The evidence can reside in computers, storage devices and the network.
A Hard Drive Rebuild Can Vary Widely in Complexity
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Hard drive rebuild, in the general sense of the term, can mean a simple operation of replacing the firmware (controller card) and reprogramming it using specialist software. Or it can mean replacing the drive's precision components like its read/write head, done in Class 100 clean rooms by specialist data recovery technicians.
It Support Contracts: Take Pains to Ensure That your Needs are Met
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
IT support contracts should be complete and transparent, and should not confuse you with obscure wording. If there is some unavoidable legalese that you don't understand, discuss it with your IT support contractor and get clarifications in writing and agree the level of service you require so that the contractor can supply an appropriate service level agreement (SLA ).
Memory Stick Repair is a Feasible Option
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
You might not even know that memory stick repair facilities and data recovery facilities exist. Unaware of such a facility you might decide to abandon the valuable pictures that are on your memory stick. This can happen when you repeatedly receive a "Card not found" or Needs Formatting or similar error message when you try to retrieve the pictures from the memory stick.
Server Installation and Configuration Needs Experienced Professionals
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
A properly configured and sufficiently powerful server installation can facilitate collaborative working, efficient communications and informed decision making.
Latest Data Recovery Articles
Server Recovery Can Affect Business Survival
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
Effective server recovery can prove absolutely essential for business survival because servers are critical to business operations. Servers are continuously supporting operations by serving files, applications, transaction data and other kinds of support information and tools without which businesses and individuals would find it harder to survive.
Server Installation and Configuration Needs Experienced Professionals
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
A properly configured and sufficiently powerful server installation can facilitate collaborative working, efficient communications and informed decision making.
Memory Stick Repair is a Feasible Option
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
You might not even know that memory stick repair facilities and data recovery facilities exist. Unaware of such a facility you might decide to abandon the valuable pictures that are on your memory stick. This can happen when you repeatedly receive a "Card not found" or Needs Formatting or similar error message when you try to retrieve the pictures from the memory stick.
It Support Contracts: Take Pains to Ensure That your Needs are Met
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
IT support contracts should be complete and transparent, and should not confuse you with obscure wording. If there is some unavoidable legalese that you don't understand, discuss it with your IT support contractor and get clarifications in writing and agree the level of service you require so that the contractor can supply an appropriate service level agreement (SLA ).
A Hard Drive Rebuild Can Vary Widely in Complexity
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
Hard drive rebuild, in the general sense of the term, can mean a simple operation of replacing the firmware (controller card) and reprogramming it using specialist software. Or it can mean replacing the drive's precision components like its read/write head, done in Class 100 clean rooms by specialist data recovery technicians.
Forensic Computer Investigations Require Specific Protocol for the Legal Handling of Recovered Data
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
Forensic computer investigations seek to gather evidence for determining whether computer systems have been used for unlawful or unauthorized activities. The evidence can reside in computers, storage devices and the network.
Disaster Recovery Needs Contingency Planning
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
Disaster recovery will be an unsatisfactory exercise if it is organized after a disaster strikes. Only a lot of advance planning and preparation can ensure that the business resumes operations quickly after a major disaster.
Data Loss and Data Recovery: an Overview
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
Data stored on computers can get lost in several ways. To recover from such a situation the main option would be to restore from backed up data.Alternatively calling on the services of a specialist data recovery company. Reconstructing all the lost data manually is usually not a viable option.
More from Andy Butler
Server Recovery Can Affect Business Survival
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Effective server recovery can prove absolutely essential for business survival because servers are critical to business operations. Servers are continuously supporting operations by serving files, applications, transaction data and other kinds of support information and tools without which businesses and individuals would find it harder to survive.
Server Installation and Configuration Needs Experienced Professionals
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
A properly configured and sufficiently powerful server installation can facilitate collaborative working, efficient communications and informed decision making.
Memory Stick Repair is a Feasible Option
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
You might not even know that memory stick repair facilities and data recovery facilities exist. Unaware of such a facility you might decide to abandon the valuable pictures that are on your memory stick. This can happen when you repeatedly receive a "Card not found" or Needs Formatting or similar error message when you try to retrieve the pictures from the memory stick.
It Support Contracts: Take Pains to Ensure That your Needs are Met
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
IT support contracts should be complete and transparent, and should not confuse you with obscure wording. If there is some unavoidable legalese that you don't understand, discuss it with your IT support contractor and get clarifications in writing and agree the level of service you require so that the contractor can supply an appropriate service level agreement (SLA ).
A Hard Drive Rebuild Can Vary Widely in Complexity
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Hard drive rebuild, in the general sense of the term, can mean a simple operation of replacing the firmware (controller card) and reprogramming it using specialist software. Or it can mean replacing the drive's precision components like its read/write head, done in Class 100 clean rooms by specialist data recovery technicians.
Forensic Computer Investigations Require Specific Protocol for the Legal Handling of Recovered Data
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Forensic computer investigations seek to gather evidence for determining whether computer systems have been used for unlawful or unauthorized activities. The evidence can reside in computers, storage devices and the network.
Disaster Recovery Needs Contingency Planning
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Disaster recovery will be an unsatisfactory exercise if it is organized after a disaster strikes. Only a lot of advance planning and preparation can ensure that the business resumes operations quickly after a major disaster.
Data Loss and Data Recovery: an Overview
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Data stored on computers can get lost in several ways. To recover from such a situation the main option would be to restore from backed up data.Alternatively calling on the services of a specialist data recovery company. Reconstructing all the lost data manually is usually not a viable option.
http://www.abc-data-recovery.co.uk/
Raid Data Recovery is a High Tech Exercise
Author: Andy Butler Ask.
RAID data recovery requires a high level of technical skill and specialized facilities. Not all data recovery companies will have sufficient resources. So your first task if you come to need RAID data recovery is to find a data recovery company with a successful record of recovering data from all kinds of RAID systems.
What is RAID?
RAID is an acronym for Redundant Array of Independent Disks or Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. It improves disk read/write operations and incorporates fault-tolerant features. To some extent, data recovery is built into RAID systems .
A RAID system will have a number of disk drives, all controlled by one RAID controller. The controller manages all the different drives and presents a single logical data view to the system. The drive control function might offer different kinds of drive management utilities, such as scanning or formatting a particular drive.
Redundancy is built in with the system being able to continue to work even if one of the drives fails. A complex mathematical logic ensures that the system can continue read/write operations even if one disk is offline.
The logical array ensures balanced data read/write operations. Instead of overloading just one disk with all the work, the data streams across all the physical drives.
RAID Data Recovery
RAID data recovery starts with rebuilding the logical array. The logical array represents the integrated data view. The original configuration of the RAID system is restored through the array rebuild and this ensures that the next step of file system repair is error free.
If you attempt file system recovery without first rebuilding the array, a huge number of errors could result and the file system can get corrupted. The array rebuild should only be attempted by persons with the requisite level of technical know-how. This is something that few data recovery companies can arrange make sure the one you have found can do this sort of work.
The correct rebuilding of the RAID array ensures quality data recovery and may need the rebuilding of individual drives prior to the rebuild for instance if the server was in a fire or flood. Do not be tempted to just RAID controller. This is a hit or miss and can result in further damage to the array.
RAID data recovery involves additional complexity because there are different RAID levels, RAID controllers and RAID architectures. Drives used can also be different in type, make or model. The reasons for data loss can also be varied and can require different kinds of recovery approaches.
With such a range of complexity, RAID data recovery is not something that can be attempted by just any data recovery company and .
Conclusion
RAID data recovery is technically a highly challenging job. Automated recovery attempts can lead to corrupting the file systems and making the situation even worse. The RAID array has to be rebuilt correctly before file system repair is attempted.
RAID systems can be different in their architecture and hardware components, and data loss can occur from varied causes. These factors also make it important that only experienced RAID data recovery specialists should be entrusted with your serverrebuild or RAID data recovery job.
Rate this Article: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
Article Tags: Hard Drive Recovery, Raid Recovery, Laptop Data Recovery, Emergency Data Recovery Services, Pc/desktop Data Recovery, Usb Memory Stick Recovery, Document Recovery, Zip Disc Recovery, Floppy Disc Recovery
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/data-recovery-articles/raid-data-recovery-is-a-high-tech-exercise-303432.html
Print this Article Print article Email to a Friend Send to friend Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article Send Author Feedback Author feedback AddThis Social Bookmark Button
About the Author:
Andy Butler from ABC Data Recovery writes about Raid-Data-Recovery visit www.abc-data-recovery.co.uk for further information.
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!
Article Comments
Add new Comment Add new Comment
Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha
* Ask a Question
* Related Articles
* Latest Data Recovery Articles
* More from Andy Butler
Ask a Question
Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda
Related Articles
Clean Room Data Recovery - What's Its Significance?
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
What are clean rooms? Why is clean room data recovery important? We look at these issues first.
Data Loss and Data Recovery: an Overview
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Data stored on computers can get lost in several ways. To recover from such a situation the main option would be to restore from backed up data.Alternatively calling on the services of a specialist data recovery company. Reconstructing all the lost data manually is usually not a viable option.
Disaster Recovery Needs Contingency Planning
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Disaster recovery will be an unsatisfactory exercise if it is organized after a disaster strikes. Only a lot of advance planning and preparation can ensure that the business resumes operations quickly after a major disaster.
Forensic Computer Investigations Require Specific Protocol for the Legal Handling of Recovered Data
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Forensic computer investigations seek to gather evidence for determining whether computer systems have been used for unlawful or unauthorized activities. The evidence can reside in computers, storage devices and the network.
A Hard Drive Rebuild Can Vary Widely in Complexity
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Hard drive rebuild, in the general sense of the term, can mean a simple operation of replacing the firmware (controller card) and reprogramming it using specialist software. Or it can mean replacing the drive's precision components like its read/write head, done in Class 100 clean rooms by specialist data recovery technicians.
It Support Contracts: Take Pains to Ensure That your Needs are Met
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
IT support contracts should be complete and transparent, and should not confuse you with obscure wording. If there is some unavoidable legalese that you don't understand, discuss it with your IT support contractor and get clarifications in writing and agree the level of service you require so that the contractor can supply an appropriate service level agreement (SLA ).
Memory Stick Repair is a Feasible Option
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
You might not even know that memory stick repair facilities and data recovery facilities exist. Unaware of such a facility you might decide to abandon the valuable pictures that are on your memory stick. This can happen when you repeatedly receive a "Card not found" or Needs Formatting or similar error message when you try to retrieve the pictures from the memory stick.
Server Installation and Configuration Needs Experienced Professionals
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
A properly configured and sufficiently powerful server installation can facilitate collaborative working, efficient communications and informed decision making.
Latest Data Recovery Articles
Server Recovery Can Affect Business Survival
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
Effective server recovery can prove absolutely essential for business survival because servers are critical to business operations. Servers are continuously supporting operations by serving files, applications, transaction data and other kinds of support information and tools without which businesses and individuals would find it harder to survive.
Server Installation and Configuration Needs Experienced Professionals
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
A properly configured and sufficiently powerful server installation can facilitate collaborative working, efficient communications and informed decision making.
Memory Stick Repair is a Feasible Option
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
You might not even know that memory stick repair facilities and data recovery facilities exist. Unaware of such a facility you might decide to abandon the valuable pictures that are on your memory stick. This can happen when you repeatedly receive a "Card not found" or Needs Formatting or similar error message when you try to retrieve the pictures from the memory stick.
It Support Contracts: Take Pains to Ensure That your Needs are Met
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
IT support contracts should be complete and transparent, and should not confuse you with obscure wording. If there is some unavoidable legalese that you don't understand, discuss it with your IT support contractor and get clarifications in writing and agree the level of service you require so that the contractor can supply an appropriate service level agreement (SLA ).
A Hard Drive Rebuild Can Vary Widely in Complexity
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
Hard drive rebuild, in the general sense of the term, can mean a simple operation of replacing the firmware (controller card) and reprogramming it using specialist software. Or it can mean replacing the drive's precision components like its read/write head, done in Class 100 clean rooms by specialist data recovery technicians.
Forensic Computer Investigations Require Specific Protocol for the Legal Handling of Recovered Data
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
Forensic computer investigations seek to gather evidence for determining whether computer systems have been used for unlawful or unauthorized activities. The evidence can reside in computers, storage devices and the network.
Disaster Recovery Needs Contingency Planning
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
Disaster recovery will be an unsatisfactory exercise if it is organized after a disaster strikes. Only a lot of advance planning and preparation can ensure that the business resumes operations quickly after a major disaster.
Data Loss and Data Recovery: an Overview
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008
Data stored on computers can get lost in several ways. To recover from such a situation the main option would be to restore from backed up data.Alternatively calling on the services of a specialist data recovery company. Reconstructing all the lost data manually is usually not a viable option.
More from Andy Butler
Server Recovery Can Affect Business Survival
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Effective server recovery can prove absolutely essential for business survival because servers are critical to business operations. Servers are continuously supporting operations by serving files, applications, transaction data and other kinds of support information and tools without which businesses and individuals would find it harder to survive.
Server Installation and Configuration Needs Experienced Professionals
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
A properly configured and sufficiently powerful server installation can facilitate collaborative working, efficient communications and informed decision making.
Memory Stick Repair is a Feasible Option
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
You might not even know that memory stick repair facilities and data recovery facilities exist. Unaware of such a facility you might decide to abandon the valuable pictures that are on your memory stick. This can happen when you repeatedly receive a "Card not found" or Needs Formatting or similar error message when you try to retrieve the pictures from the memory stick.
It Support Contracts: Take Pains to Ensure That your Needs are Met
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
IT support contracts should be complete and transparent, and should not confuse you with obscure wording. If there is some unavoidable legalese that you don't understand, discuss it with your IT support contractor and get clarifications in writing and agree the level of service you require so that the contractor can supply an appropriate service level agreement (SLA ).
A Hard Drive Rebuild Can Vary Widely in Complexity
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Hard drive rebuild, in the general sense of the term, can mean a simple operation of replacing the firmware (controller card) and reprogramming it using specialist software. Or it can mean replacing the drive's precision components like its read/write head, done in Class 100 clean rooms by specialist data recovery technicians.
Forensic Computer Investigations Require Specific Protocol for the Legal Handling of Recovered Data
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Forensic computer investigations seek to gather evidence for determining whether computer systems have been used for unlawful or unauthorized activities. The evidence can reside in computers, storage devices and the network.
Disaster Recovery Needs Contingency Planning
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Disaster recovery will be an unsatisfactory exercise if it is organized after a disaster strikes. Only a lot of advance planning and preparation can ensure that the business resumes operations quickly after a major disaster.
Data Loss and Data Recovery: an Overview
By: Andy Butler | 13/01/2008 | Data Recovery
Data stored on computers can get lost in several ways. To recover from such a situation the main option would be to restore from backed up data.Alternatively calling on the services of a specialist data recovery company. Reconstructing all the lost data manually is usually not a viable option.
http://www.abc-data-recovery.co.uk/
Data Loss and Data Recovery: an Overview
Data Loss and Data Recovery: an Overview
Author: Andy Butler
Data stored on computers can get lost in several ways. To recover from such a situation the main option would be to restore from backed up data.Alternatively calling on the services of a specialist data recovery company. Reconstructing all the lost data manually is usually not a viable option.
Reconstruction will involve:
* Locating the original documents or specifications,
* Huge amounts of data entry, and
* Serious disruption to the business during the reconstruction period
The cost of such an exercise can seem very expensive, but without it's being done a company's viability can be put at risk.
This is the context in which data recovery becomes a significant issue. Before we look at data recovery, let us take a brief look at how data gets lost.
How Does Data Get Lost?
Data stored on computer media can get lost in different ways, including:
+ User actions such as deleting data unintentionally, carelessly, or even deliberately for malicious or financial gain
+ Loss of removable media such as CD/DVD on which valuable data were stored (see UK Revenue and Customs, DVLA, Banks and Building Societies etc ) /li>
+ Administration and other human errors leading to loss of valuable data (e.g leaving primary data on a laptop not backed up which can be at risk of theft.)
+ Power supply problems leading to system malfunctions that cause data damage
+ System crashes leading to incomplete sessions and loss of data
+ Hardware problems causing incorrect or incomplete write operations
+ Corrupted media or databases making recorded data unreadable
+ Natural disasters like fire, flood or earthquake destroying the computer facilities
+ Data loss caused by malicious external agents like viruses and hackers
+ Pilferage of physical media or equipment such as laptop computers
Studies indicate that almost three quarters of data loss is caused by hardware failure and human errors. It is in these cases that data recovery becomes a viable option.
Data recovery is not possible where the media storing the data has been lost and there are no backups available.
Preventing Data Loss
USER EDUCATION: Training your staff in various aspects of computer operations can minimize data losses, particularly losses caused through human errors, which are a major cause of data loss. Staff can be trained to take the necessary precautions, such as backing up, antivirus checking, working through firewalls, but there should always be someone in charge the security of data.
BACKUP: The impact of data loss can be minimized through well-implemented data backup procedures. The qualification "well-implemented" is important. Often, data backup is done in a routine manner without checking whether a full data recovery is possible in case original data is lost.
Data backup might not be up to date. Data in backup media can prove irrecoverable owing to improper backing up or media corruption. It is important to make regular reviews and tests of both back up procedures and backed up data to ensure that the data is indeed recoverable if it becomes necessary.
Storing backed up data in a location away from the primary data location can help in such cases as a fire / flood or other natural disaster.
ANTI VIRUS & FIREWALL SOFTWARE: Anti virus software, if kept up to date, can help guard against virus attacks. Firewalls can stop most hackers from hacking into your systems.
REDUNDANT MEDIA AND WRITE OPERATIONS: Data is written to more than one media device or location so that if one of them fails, the other can be used to repair the damage.
Data Recovery
Where a proper backup system is in place, lost data can be recovered to a greater or lesser extent using the backups. The speed of such recovery will depend on the kind of backup media used. Where the backup media is online, such as in RAID systems, or Web-based third party facilities, data recovery can be quick.
At the other extreme, where data is stored on magnetic tapes at locations away from the primary site, data recovery could be a time-consuming exercise and may need to be shipped or couriered to the main location.
Where backups are not available or unsatisfactory, you have to depend on data recovery software or data recovery specialists. Data recovery software might be able to recover deleted files and repair corrupted directories. However, more serious data losses are likely to need the services of data recovery companies with expertise and specialized facilities, like Class 100 (Iso 5) Clean Rooms.
Data recovery companies extract the raw image from the disk and might try different techniques such as file system recovery, replacing damaged hardware components with compatible healthy ones, and reprogramming the firmware. These are technically involved and often delicate procedures requiring considerations to dust and electrostatic discharge (esd) in order to recover as much of the data as possible.
Conclusion
Data loss can occur owing to numerous factors and is something that has to be planned against. Training your computer personnel, proper back up procedures and use of anti-virus and firewall software are some of the measures you can take to guard against data loss.
If these measures are absent or prove inadequate, you may have to approach external data recovery specialists, with the expertise and facilities to recover lost data.
About the Author:
Andy Butler from ABC Data Recovery writes about Data-Recovery visit www.abc-data-recovery.co.uk for further information.
Author: Andy Butler
Data stored on computers can get lost in several ways. To recover from such a situation the main option would be to restore from backed up data.Alternatively calling on the services of a specialist data recovery company. Reconstructing all the lost data manually is usually not a viable option.
Reconstruction will involve:
* Locating the original documents or specifications,
* Huge amounts of data entry, and
* Serious disruption to the business during the reconstruction period
The cost of such an exercise can seem very expensive, but without it's being done a company's viability can be put at risk.
This is the context in which data recovery becomes a significant issue. Before we look at data recovery, let us take a brief look at how data gets lost.
How Does Data Get Lost?
Data stored on computer media can get lost in different ways, including:
+ User actions such as deleting data unintentionally, carelessly, or even deliberately for malicious or financial gain
+ Loss of removable media such as CD/DVD on which valuable data were stored (see UK Revenue and Customs, DVLA, Banks and Building Societies etc ) /li>
+ Administration and other human errors leading to loss of valuable data (e.g leaving primary data on a laptop not backed up which can be at risk of theft.)
+ Power supply problems leading to system malfunctions that cause data damage
+ System crashes leading to incomplete sessions and loss of data
+ Hardware problems causing incorrect or incomplete write operations
+ Corrupted media or databases making recorded data unreadable
+ Natural disasters like fire, flood or earthquake destroying the computer facilities
+ Data loss caused by malicious external agents like viruses and hackers
+ Pilferage of physical media or equipment such as laptop computers
Studies indicate that almost three quarters of data loss is caused by hardware failure and human errors. It is in these cases that data recovery becomes a viable option.
Data recovery is not possible where the media storing the data has been lost and there are no backups available.
Preventing Data Loss
USER EDUCATION: Training your staff in various aspects of computer operations can minimize data losses, particularly losses caused through human errors, which are a major cause of data loss. Staff can be trained to take the necessary precautions, such as backing up, antivirus checking, working through firewalls, but there should always be someone in charge the security of data.
BACKUP: The impact of data loss can be minimized through well-implemented data backup procedures. The qualification "well-implemented" is important. Often, data backup is done in a routine manner without checking whether a full data recovery is possible in case original data is lost.
Data backup might not be up to date. Data in backup media can prove irrecoverable owing to improper backing up or media corruption. It is important to make regular reviews and tests of both back up procedures and backed up data to ensure that the data is indeed recoverable if it becomes necessary.
Storing backed up data in a location away from the primary data location can help in such cases as a fire / flood or other natural disaster.
ANTI VIRUS & FIREWALL SOFTWARE: Anti virus software, if kept up to date, can help guard against virus attacks. Firewalls can stop most hackers from hacking into your systems.
REDUNDANT MEDIA AND WRITE OPERATIONS: Data is written to more than one media device or location so that if one of them fails, the other can be used to repair the damage.
Data Recovery
Where a proper backup system is in place, lost data can be recovered to a greater or lesser extent using the backups. The speed of such recovery will depend on the kind of backup media used. Where the backup media is online, such as in RAID systems, or Web-based third party facilities, data recovery can be quick.
At the other extreme, where data is stored on magnetic tapes at locations away from the primary site, data recovery could be a time-consuming exercise and may need to be shipped or couriered to the main location.
Where backups are not available or unsatisfactory, you have to depend on data recovery software or data recovery specialists. Data recovery software might be able to recover deleted files and repair corrupted directories. However, more serious data losses are likely to need the services of data recovery companies with expertise and specialized facilities, like Class 100 (Iso 5) Clean Rooms.
Data recovery companies extract the raw image from the disk and might try different techniques such as file system recovery, replacing damaged hardware components with compatible healthy ones, and reprogramming the firmware. These are technically involved and often delicate procedures requiring considerations to dust and electrostatic discharge (esd) in order to recover as much of the data as possible.
Conclusion
Data loss can occur owing to numerous factors and is something that has to be planned against. Training your computer personnel, proper back up procedures and use of anti-virus and firewall software are some of the measures you can take to guard against data loss.
If these measures are absent or prove inadequate, you may have to approach external data recovery specialists, with the expertise and facilities to recover lost data.
About the Author:
Andy Butler from ABC Data Recovery writes about Data-Recovery visit www.abc-data-recovery.co.uk for further information.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)