- 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.
