The Data Recovery Process: What to do first
If you have recognized a data loss situation, this section will
help you prepare for a recovery, avoid some typical mistakes
and perhaps help you operate with an interim solution until
the problem is resolved. After reading this section and
completing the Data Emergency Checklist, you will be
prepared to call a data recovery professional. You can also
call us immediately, or at any time, for data emergency
advice at 1-866-852-5649.
If You Are Facing a Data Loss Situation, What NOT
to do is Very Important!
- Never run a program or utility that writes to or alters the
problem media in any way
- Do not power up a device that has obvious physical damage.
- Do not power up a device that has shown symptoms of
physical failure. For example, drives that make "obvious
mechanical fault noises" such as ticking or grinding,
should not be repeatedly powered on and tested as it just
makes the problem worse.
- Activate the write-protect switch or tab on any problem
removable media such as tape cartridges and floppies.
(Many good backups are overwritten during a crisis.)
If you are having data access problems and your media has
no symptoms of physical failure or damage, try and check some
obvious issues before deciding if you need data recovery:
- Read or briefly review this guide to the end.
- Are the power and drive cables properly connected?
- Is configuration or driver information correct?
- Try the defective unit with a different adapter/controller
interface or on a different computer.
- Is there an experienced technician at a local store or the
company help desk that you can consult if these steps are
beyond your capabilities? (Make sure whoever is in
contact with your data loss situation is fully aware that
they should do nothing during their troubleshooting that
will risk hurting your data.)
Review, Record and Remain Calm
When facing data loss, stop and review the situation. The
process of reviewing and writing down a synopsis of the
situation is the first step toward preparing for a recovery.
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Resist the Pressure for an Instant Fix
If you have recognized a data loss situation, stop and
analyze the situation rather than attempt to fix it immediately.
You may be under considerable pressure from co-workers,
your boss or even your own deadlines to immediately resolve
the situation. While a quick fix may prove successful, if it is
not, then your attempts may actually increase the damage and
greatly reduce the prospects of a successful data recovery.
Beware Do It Yourself (DIY) Solutions and Products
There are numerous Internet sites offering advice about data
recovery and vendors offering DIY software solutions.
Unfortunately, the advice is often incorrect or incomplete
and DIY software may complicate your problems and
diminish the prospects of a successful recovery. Note also
that there is no software in the world that can fix storage
media with physical defects.
Set Up an Alternate System
Do not attempt to restore a backup into or onto the original
corrupted data set as you may over-write some of the lost
data. Furthermore, if for some reason your restore goes awry,
you may have created a situation where a potential recovery
from the original media may no longer be a viable option.
Consult your company's systems documentation to
configure another computer/server to temporarily replace
the problem unit. Restore whatever backups are available
onto this unit and reconfigure it as necessary to begin
productive work. Obviously, the more time that has been
spent on the contingency plan before the data loss, the less
time it will take now to set up an alternate system.
Disk Drive Handling and ESD Precautions
Before handling your computer and especially before
touching or handling the media itself, beware of creating
electrostatic discharges.
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