subject: A Hard Drive Data Recovery Checklist [print this page] A Hard Drive Data Recovery Checklist A Hard Drive Data Recovery Checklist
One thing hard drive manufacturers will not tell you: most hard drives, subject to everyday conditions and use, will break. In a lot of cases, with normal use, it may take quite a while. In some cases, it can be less than a year. Whatever the case may be, when your hard drive fails, whether it is on your PC, server or laptop, it is important to know that professional hard drive data recovery is available.
A key issue for the PC hardware industry is that typically, as technologies advance, the components get smaller, while the core operating temperatures get higher. For hard drives, this means the likelihood for physical head damage and drive failure is greater than ever. The heat a typical hard disk drive gives off is often a key cause of hard drive failure, which leads to the need for professional hard drive data recovery services.
Consult this checklist if you think you might need hard drive data recovery:
1. Have you lost a few files, or is your PC not booting correctly?
2. Has your hard drive made any buzzing or clicking sounds?
3. When booting, does your computer see your hard drive, or does it provide you with a message like: I/O error?
4. What were your actions when you first realized the data or hard drive loss?
5. Did you suffer from the infamous "blue screen of death"? Is there a reoccurring error message on the screen?
Once you have the answers to these five simple queries, you are ready to determine whether or not you need hard disk recovery software-based, or physical hard drive data recovery. It is important, as well, to provide your hard drive data recovery service provider with a history of the events leading up to the point where your hard drive failed, and/or the files disappeared.
If you're speaking with a data recovery professional, make sure you understand exactly the costs and process up front. Most professional hard drive data recovery shops will offer you the quickest, most cost effective solution available, so consulting several services may actually help narrow down your search. If it sounds excessive, try someone else!
