Recovering Data from a Damaged Computer

When faced with a computer crisis, take action to recover your data

If you ever experience a computer crash or serious malfunction, your information isn't necessarily lost. In fact, there are several methods you can use to attempt to recover your data.

There are no guarantees, and the amount of data that can be recovered depends on the extent of the computer damage. But many data salvage operations are highly successful. And even if the first recovery service you contact isn't optimistic, keep trying. You might find one with a track record of dealing with your special problem.

You'll know if you're facing a potential data loss situation if:

1. You're suddenly unable to access data
2. Your data has been corrupted
3. There is physical damage to your computer or hard drive

Know the basics of data recovery

Before you do anything, take the time to evaluate your situation and learn about your options.

Test your hard drive

Even if you have a computer crisis, your hard drive may still be OK. If your hard drive survives the event that caused your computer to malfunction, you at least have a fighting chance of retrieving your data.

Restore your data from your back-up source

If you back up your data daily, you'll never lose more than a few hours of work when you experience a hardware failure. If your data is backed up on an external hard drive, a network-attached storage device, a portable flash drive, CDs, DVDs or tapes, the most cost-effective solution is to buy a new hard drive and copy your data to it.

Try data recovery software

Data recovery software can often, but not always, restore files and documents that were lost for a reason (e.g. accidentally deleted) other than hard drive failure.

Find a data recovery company

If you don't want to risk further damage by attempting recovery by yourself, hire a data recovery company. Find a local business if possible; shipping a hard drive will add days to the return of your critical data. Look for a data recovery company that will give you a free evaluation and a binding estimate with if/then scenarios. Make sure they have experience with your operating system, very experienced technicians and a "clean room."

• A data recovery company can successfully salvage data at least 75 percent of the time. When they can't, it's usually because the hard disk is physically damaged.
• Data recovery services may charge several thousand dollars for labor-intensive solutions. The amount of data to be recovered is sometimes a factor.
• Ground yourself to the computer chassis before touching a hard drive. Avoid touching exposed circuitry on the bottom of the drive.

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