subject: What to do if your Computer Crashes [print this page] What to do if your Computer Crashes What to do if your Computer Crashes
It's the event that all computer users, especially those who rely on their computer for business purposes, fear - the dreaded "blue screen of death", or similar sign that your computer has crashed, taking all of your precious data with it. Fortunately, in many cases your data can be recovered by a professional, but there are important steps you need to take to have the best possible chance to recover your lost data.
If you experience computer failure, here's what you need to do.
1. If your computer shows signs of crashing, but is still operational, back up your important data ASAP.
Signs that you computer may be about to crash include:
A loud clicking or grinding noise coming from your hard drive.
Your computer runs extremely slowly even for simple operations.
Frequent error messages pop up when you're performing simple tasks.
Your system BIOS doesn't recognize your hard drive or labels it incorrectly.
Files go missing unexpectedly.
Your computer locks up frequently while trying to boot or shuts down and reboots on its own.
The dreaded "Blue Screen of Death". This aptly named phenomenon is a sign of serious hardware or software issues with your computer. Windows users will see a blue screen with a series of error messages. You can recover from this, but repeated events are a sign of major trouble.
If any of these signs occur, you may still have time to back up your data. Back up your most important data first and be aware that the more you use your hard drive, the greater the potential that you may overwrite critical files.
2. Shut down your computer as soon as possible.
Many causes of computer failure can be made worse if you continue hitting keys and trying to fix the problem. This is especially true if the cause of your data loss is virus related. To give yourself the best possible chance of recovery, shut your computer down safely and get it to a professional data recovery specialist as soon as possible.
3. If you still have information that needs to be recovered, remove the hard drive from your computer and send it to a data recovery specialist.
It is extremely important that you pack up your hard drive properly to lessen the chance of it being damaged during transport. When you pack up your hard drive, make sure that you take the following steps:
Wrap your hard drive in anti-static material. It's always best to wrap your drive in the original manufacturer's packaging. If that's not possible, a freezer bag will do.
Pack your hard drive in a sturdy cardboard box that is at least twice the size of the drive.
Fill the box with heavy foam padding, bubble wrap or other materials that will prevent the drive from shifting during transport. Don't use Styrofoam peanuts since they can attract static electricity.
If your drive has been water damaged, don't try to dry it out. Send it with a damp sponge in a sealed plastic bag to keep it from drying out. It's easier to recover the data before the hard drive has dried out.
In many cases a data recovery specialist can retrieve your information for you. The process can take as few as 12 to 24 hours with Sydney Data Recovery, or a couple of days to a couple of weeks depending on the type of problem and the schedule of the company you choose. Recovery usually costs vary depending on the nature of the problem.
There are data recovery software programs available for purchase online or through your local computer store, but these programs can't fix any physical problems with your drive and can sometimes make the logical problems worse.
Needless to say the best defence against data loss is to back up your files regularly. Backing up your files to an external hard drive is an excellent choice. You can also save your information to USB sticks or flash drives or record your files on CDs or DVDs. Many companies now offer online backup programs that will store your information online for a monthly fee.
Whatever method you choose, backing up your files regularly protects your data and your business or personal information and gives you peace of mind, knowing that you're prepared should the "Blue Screen of Death" ever pay you a visit.
