When Are My Files Actually Gone?

Many of the repairs a computer technician is asked to perform are unique, varying depending on the software and hardware being used.  However, I can think of three tasks that I am regularly called on to perform.  One of those tasks is data recovery.  Data recovery is one of my favorite tasks to perform, but one of my least favorite tasks is when I have to call someone and say that I cannot recover their data.  Today, I want to go over what expectations you should have when you ask for data recovery.

Many people think that any computer problem renders their data unretrievable.  The truth is that your data can be easily recovered in most circumstances.  In fact, with the right equipment, anyone could attempt a simple recovery.  Simply unscrew the hard drive from the computer and connect it to another using an adapter (an adapter usually costs $10-$15).  Unless the problem is a mechanical failure of the hard drive or a corruption of the file system, you will most likely be able to get your data off of the drive.

If you deleted a file you need, recovery is still possible.  The process of deleting a file does not actually clear the data immediately; it simply marks the areas where the file was stored as available.  If you empty the recycle bin and then quickly notice that you needed a file, stop using the computer right away!  Then, use an adapter and recovery software to see if the file can be recovered.  Many times the file can be recovered with software if you catch it right away.

If you cannot recover the file yourself (or a computer technician cannot recover it for you), all is still not lost.  If you really need the file and you are willing to spend a substantial amount of money, you can send the drive to a data recovery company.  In some cases, they can correct the failure or read the corrupted drive and get you your data back.  However, you need to be prepared for a sizable bill (sometimes running as much as $1000).  If you go this route, make sure to get an estimate and know if you will be billed even if they cannot recover data.

There is one simple way to make sure that you never have to be concerned about recovering your data:  back up your files!  In tomorrow's tip, I will cover some of the principles and ideas for backups.