HasYour Computer Hard Drive Ever Crashed? Are You Challenged by Backups?


The following scenario's have probably been repeated thousands of times, on computer systems of all kinds and sizes, operated by all levels of users from complete novice, to expert user.

· You log on and your computer will not boot to your operating system.

· You have installed some piece of new hardware, or some new software, your computer cannot find your operating system.

In more than 20 years of using personal computers, I have experienced all kinds of computer/operator failures. Some were caused by equipment failure, others by me doing something dumb. It really makes no difference, when your computer does not work, the only thing that matters is getting it up and running, and saving as much data as possible

All mechanical devices, will at some point fail, there is no timetable that tells you exactly when they will fail, however it is usually when you can least afford the time lost or the cost of repair, or of course immediately after the warranty has expired. Current computer hard drives are very reliable, they work for hours on end and keep right on ticking, they are however partially mechanical, as such they are subject to unannounced failure. They could fail in 5 minutes, or in 5 years or even longer.

As computer users we have all been admonished time and time again to backup our work on a regular basis, as insurance against losing data. Data can be lost in other ways of course, but if you do have a current backup you will only lose whatever you created or changed just before the failure.

My first experience with a hard drive failure was the classic computer will not boot. My first course of action was to call tech support from the manufacturer. The customer service rep stayed on the phone with me for about 4 hours, as we tried to diagnose where the problem was, after trying every thing she knew to try, she said they would send a technician to replace my hard drive. Of course none of my data was easily retrievable, and I did not have a current backup. Immediately after this episode I began to backup my data frequently. However at this particular time, backup software was not real easy to use, and choosing the media to backup to required the installation of more hardware. I quickly fell out of the habit of frequent backups.

I have experienced logon failures after adding or changing hardware or software many times. Usually followed by a call to customer support, which you most likely will have to pay for. Your support call may be transferred to a foreign country, your support person may or may not be highly qualified, there have been many instances where I felt that I knew more than the support person. There have been many instances that I managed to fix the problem myself, while waiting for support to get back to me. Sometimes I lost information, sometimes it was there but hard to find etc. The times that were most successful were when I did have a current backup.

Backup software has evolved, there are very easy programs to use, they are very easy to automate, the media options are many and easy to set up.

In my current setup I use Norton Ghost 9.0 as my software of choice, and I send my backups to a removable USB 2.0 hard drive. The advantages of this system are an extremely easy to set software program that can do anything form complete backups on whatever schedule you choose to complete copies of hard drives. The speed and safety of using a removable hard drive would be hard to beat. Because of the "set it and forget it" nature of this system, I now have complete backups always at hand.

Peace of mind is a wonderful thing

Jim Newell

Please visit http://www.edotmall2000.com/backup.htm for more information on these products and other solutions to backup and storage problems.

Jimmie Newell is an experienced computer user, and web publisher with many articles to his credit. Jim is the webmaster for http://www.edotmall2000.com an online shopping destination.


MORE RESOURCES:

Data Recovery Services Post RAID Controller Failure
Boosh News (press release) (blog)
However, if no backups exist, an organization should get in touch with the RAID experts by acquiring professional data recovery services. ...



Linux Data Recovery to Data Loss Due to Write-Back Caching Techniques
Boosh News (press release) (blog)
These instances of data loss can be countered and the recovery of your valuable data can be done through technologies like LINUX data recovery. ...



USB Pen Drive Data Retrieval Tool
MyNC.com
Pro Data Doctor Company provides Pen drive data recovery software retrieves lost, missing digital pictures, audio songs, video albums and multimedia GIF ...



Data Recovery Services Announces File Access Collaboration with CompTIA
TMCnet
Data Recovery Services has announced a strategic partnership with CompTIA (News - Alert). This deal will help grant easy access to ...
Data Recovery Services announces partnership with CompTIAPRLog.Org (press release)

all 3 news articles »


Find Solutions For Lost Data Recovery Online!
Boosh News (press release) (blog)
The mere mention of the words “lost data recovery” is enough to send a shiver down the spine of any ordinary person afraid to perform a reformatting of his ...
Deleted Data Recovery is No Longer Just a DreamBoosh News (press release) (blog)
Help With Lost Files - Freeware Data Recovery Tips to Restore Your Data FastBoosh News (press release) (blog)
Data Recovery Programs Are Here to Protect Your FilesBoosh News (press release) (blog)
Boosh News (press release) (blog) -Boosh News (press release) (blog)
all 7 news articles »


SalvationDATA Data Recovery Training to Be Held in October 18-22, 2010
Online PR News (press release)
A 5 days' data recovery training will be held by SalvationDATA in the third week of October in Chengdu, China. And the enrolment of this data recovery ...



Format Data Recovery - Why You Should Look For Tools Now!
Boosh News (press release) (blog)
Did you know that you can perform format data recovery on your own? Sounds like a hoax, a scam, a total abomination? Well, you better believe it – because ...



Thanks to Hard Disk Data Recovery Services I Got My Data Back!
Boosh News (press release) (blog)
Till the day I was not aware of hard disk data recovery, and had an idea that once you loose any data due to hard disk crash, it is gone for ever. ...



Advanced American Media Project

Data Recovery Software in High Demand Following Zurich Fine
Advanced American Media Project
It is also a mistake that can, perhaps, be prevented or at worst resolved with data recovery software such as that provided by software company File R/D, ...

and more »


Data recovery Software to perform Linux recovery And Mac recovery
Siliconindia.com (blog)
These situations leave you stuck, as nothing comes into your mind, where all the data gone and you want any Mac data recovery software to recover back your ...


Google News

home | site map | Links
© 2007