File Recovery the First Time
Posted: Sunday, July 19, 2009
by Ken Roberts
ACR Data Recovery
How do you know which file recovery service or software to choose?
To start with, you may be wondering why the cost for file recovery products can range from about thirty-five to hundreds of dollars. And then there's the service differences. Answering all the questions you're thinking about, and helping you find the right software or service is important, but first let us make certain your data is safe.
If you're reviewing this information on the computer you want to perform file recovery on, do the following right now. If you didn't know, your computer's operating system is always performing tasks in the background and could overwrite the lost data.
- Close down any open documents.
- Quickly write down or print this page so you have a copy to follow.
- Unplug the computer; do not shut it down first. FYI: You need to unplug the computer to completely stop it from running. If you turn it off, the computer may wind up overwriting your files.
What To Avoid:
Don't try to fix things by running the recovery disc from the operating system manufacturer. It's designed to get your computer up an running again but destroys data. Be forewarned, it's not a file recovery solution. Contact the manufacturer for yourself to see if it's true. They will always reply, "Yes".
Never install file recovery software on the same computer you're trying to get files back from; otherwise the files you are missing could be overwritten.
Attention computer technicians: don't even install a program on a separate partition. Because there might be corruption in the file system, you risk overwriting the partition and files you're trying to get back during installation. Don't take chances. Install the program on another drive or running it from a stand-alone disk if possible.
File Recovery Utilities:
The file recovery software you need to download depends on what caused the trouble...
- Have you deleted a file by mistake that you need recovered?
- Did you lose a file, or when you found it, discovered it was damaged?
- When you started your computer, did it fail to boot all the way to the desktop, giving an error explanation? Make a note of the problem.
If you mistakenly delete an important file, you can get it back with a cheap undelete software. If you run the program and still can't find the file, the file system needs to be realigned to recover the data. That means you have to download stronger and more expensive program that can do the job.
To save you time in looking for such a software, look for a one that's above the sixty-dollar mark and below a hundred and twenty-five. You might even find a professional version for technicians up to several hundred.
If you still can't locate a file after running one of these high-end products, or if your system fails to boot properly in the first place, you have to call a professional file recovery service.
Professional File Recovery:
When choosing a file recovery service, find out whether they create and sell file recovery software. This is a good indication that they are among the top level companies offering file recovery service. I've been at this a long time and the pros make and sell software in addition to providing lab services.
You should also know that full-scale recovery firms only handle file recovery and data forensic cases. You'll know if they really are a professional service or a general computer technician, by simply asking something like, Can you install a reliable backup system in my office?
One More Thing:
As they say in the industry, the question is not, if you'll need file recovery, but will you be ready when it happens. Taking a preventive stance is best. Protect your files in the future and avoid the recovery process again with the following tips:
- Back up files every day to a data drive attached to your computer or network, not on your main hard drive where you work with your data all the time.
- Check monthly to make sure your back-up works because a problem occurs at least once or twice a year.
- Use the Defrag function regularly on any computer being used often. This really helps with file recovery if you ever face it again.
--------
With so many file recovery solutions available, how do where to start? Begin by finding out the right file recovery tool for your situation. Services can also be reviewed and quoted for free.
This Article has been viewed 39 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.