It is an unfortunate fact that most computer users will eventually experience the heartbreak of a fatal PC error. Assuming you have not recently backed-up your data, the future of your business may depend on what you do next. Each activity you undertake from this point must be with a single purpose in mind: RECOVER YOUR DATA.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Call technical support
Click the "support" link on the computer manufacturer's Web site to contact technical support. If you do not have a recent backup of your PC, tell the technician not to perform any steps that might cause you to lose data on your hard drive.I recommend: If your PC is no longer under warranty, check out support provider networks like OnForce and Gurus2Go, which will connect you with independent computer support experts nationwide.
Recover your data
There are businesses that specialize in retrieving data from damaged hard drives. These services are costly, so you should weigh your exposure against the cost of recovery. The cost is generally determined by the extent of the damage, ease of recovery and the amount of data recovered.I recommend: Contact companies to find the best price for your specific situation. The most trusted names in drive recovery are DriveSavers and OnTrack. Also check out relative newcomer ESS Data Recovery.
Get back to work
If you need a computer to use while yours is in the shop, consider renting a PC.I recommend: The International Technology Rental Association (IT-RA) will refer you to an IT-RA member company servicing your area.
Protect your data
The best way to protect your business from future computer failures is to backup your data often. There are many inexpensive options.I recommend: Windows XP sports a built-in backup utility that will schedule regular backups to a variety of media. Also from Microsoft, the Windows Live OneCare subscription service can help you manage your backups and system security. Norton Save & Restore is a third-party application from Symantec that can automatically restore your system and data after a crash. If you have a broadband Internet connection, consider an online backup service like Xdrive. Mac users should check out the Apple Backup feature of the .mac subscription service, or a third-party application like Synk.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Never let a technician replace or "re-image" your hard drive until you've recovered your data.
- When purchasing a new computer, consider the extended warranty coverage. Compare the higher purchase price against what a future system failure will cost in repair fees and lost productivity.
- Mean time to failure (MTF) is the average expected lifetime of a computer component. The MTF for a hard drive is generally between four and five years. The older your PC, the greater your risk of failure.
- Fewer than half of all businesses that experience catastrophic data loss will survive another six months. Make frequent backups of your PCs to ensure that you don't lose data when a computer crashes.
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