- Always back up your data, especially when upgrading your system. Make sure that copies of your most important data are being kept off site
- Always turn your computer off using the operating system shut down process
- Always use up-to-date hardware and software utilities for data security, such as virus protections and firewalls
- Laptops should be operated on a hard and flat surface to allow proper ventilation and to avoid over heating
- Servers should have fans, ventilation or portable air conditioning systems as close as possible to avoid operating in high temperatures.
- Allow enough space around the external drive’s cooling fans and remove any items that may block air flow
- Do not turn off peripheral devices while computer is on, or when disc is active
- Drives should be stable and stationary when operating. If you have to move your computer – turn it off first
- When touching or handling the media, make sure to avoid static electricity
- If you hear unusual sounds coming from your computer, turn it off immediately to avoid further damage
Case Scenarios and Action Steps
Symptom 1
You hear a clicking noise coming from the computer.
Reason
The reason for this issue in many cases is a head crash or bad head alignment that causes the HD to fail to initialize.
It can happen to a new as well as an old HD, with older drives being more prone to head crashes and head failures.
Action
Turn off the computer immediately and bring the HD to a data recovery expert.
The longer you continue to work with the computer attempting to access the HD, the lower the chances that you will have a successful recovery.
MEDIA
HD 2.5”,1.8” (Laptop), HD 3.5” (Server), RAID Array.(Server)
Symptom 2
In many cases a hard drive crash is followed by reduced or slow computer performance.
Reason
The reason for this issue is in many cases caused by overheating.
It can happen to a new as well as an old HD, with older HD being more prone to overheating issues.
Action
In cases where you experience these symptoms, and you don’t have access to your operating system. STOP! Do not continue to use the computer.
Turn off the computer and immediately bring the HD to a data recovery expert.
MEDIA
HD 2.5”,1.8” (Laptop), HD 3.5” (Server), RAID Array.(Server)
Symptom 3
You deleted a file and emptied the recycle bin/trash can.
Reason
Human Error.
Action
STOP! Shut down the computer immediately using the physical power button, in order for the system to stop writing any data the HD and bring it to data recovery expert.
If you continue to use the computer after the file/folder got deleted you can lower the chances that you will have a successful recovery of the lost files or folders.
MEDIA
HD 2.5”, 1.8” (Laptop), HD 3.5” (Server, Desktop), RAID Array.(Server)
Symptom 4
You formatted a HD with important data.
Reason
Human Error.
Action
Stop working on the computer, shut down the computer and bring it to a data recovery expert.
the more actions you will do to that specific HD, the lower the chances that you will have a successful recovery.
MEDIA
HD 2.5”, 1.8” (Laptop), HD 3.5” (Server, Desktop), RAID Array.(Server)
Symptom 5
You deleted pictures in your digital camera.
Reason
Human Error.
Action
Stop working immediately with the camera and take the memory card out.
Bring it to a data recovery expert. We can help recover the deleted pictures.
The longer you will use the camera after the pictures got deleted, the lower the chances that you will have of a successful recovery.
MEDIA
All digital camera memory cards.
Symptom 6
You formatted the memory card on the digital camera.
Reason
Human error.
Action
Stop working immediately with the camera and take the memory card out.
Bring it to a data recovery expert., We can help recover the formatted memory card.
The longer you will use the camera after the memory card was formatted, the lower the chances that you will have a successful recovery.
MEDIA
All digital camera memory cards
Symptom 7
One or more of a RAID array drives failed or the RAID array failed to initialize and you no longer have access to the array data.
Reason
One or more of the HD failed or the array controller failed.
Action
Stop working immediately with the server, number the order of the HD (0,1,2…) and bring that array preferably with the array controller to a data recovery expert.
If the array failed to load, do not try to replace a HD, in case the array did not initialize it would not help and might cause the rebuilding on the array and you could lose the data completely.
Do not try to replace a controller – it doesn’t have the raid information structure of the old one and you might accidentally initialize the RAID array and delete the existing information.
Be advised that most RAID array data losses are caused by human errors.
MEDIA
RAID array (SCSI + ATA + SATA)
Symptom 8
Backup Tape couldn’t be read by the tape drive or the backup software while performing a restore of a backup.
Reason
Magnetic Tape might be old and has some surface problem.
Action
Bring the Tape for a diagnosis to a data recovery expert.
Please be advised that in some cases it’s easier and cost effective to recover data from damaged HD than a tape. In cases where you are restoring data because of other failed media we would like to evaluate both backup tapes and hard drive.
MEDIA
Magnetic Tape.
