| In the past, memories were stored in scrap books and | | | | Offline Recovery |
| libraries of photo albums. Personal data was filed | | | | If you have another computer available, you could |
| away in folders and binders. With the advent of | | | | attach the failing hard drive as a secondary drive then |
| computer based technology, the majority of our | | | | copy off the data. Another option would be to install |
| personal data and precious memories have all gone | | | | the failing drive into an external hard drive case then |
| digital. Storing this ever growing volume of digital data | | | | pull data via USB or a fire wire connection. If the |
| has become the dutiful responsibility of the modern | | | | operating system is unable to copy off your data then |
| day hard drive. With all its moving parts and internal | | | | try software recovery. |
| mechanisms it is inevitable that they will eventually fail | | | | Software Recovery |
| over time. Although solid state hard drives have begun | | | | Data recovery software, assuming the drive is still |
| to infiltrate the market with its enhanced reliability over | | | | accessible, scans the failing hard drive, maps and |
| traditional hard drives, the cost is still a premium for the | | | | identifies files it determines can be successfully |
| average consumer. Recovering your data from a | | | | restored. A list of recoverable files is usually generated |
| failing or failed hard drive can seem an un-daunting | | | | and presented to the end user for selection and |
| task. If you're comfortable with diagnosing, connecting | | | | subsequent recovery. The price range can vary from |
| and disconnecting hard drives then these tips may be | | | | freeware to hundreds of dollars. Data recovery |
| helpful to you and your data recovery efforts. | | | | applications are readily available on the web for |
| Eminent Failure | | | | download and immediate purchase. Professional Data |
| Most consumer grade hard drives sold within the last 5 | | | | recovery service is the next and usually final option if |
| years or so include predictive failure function known as | | | | the drive is longer detected by the pc or is completely |
| Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology | | | | nonfunctional. |
| (S.M.A.R.T). This feature can easily be enabled on | | | | Professional Data Recovery |
| most systems by entering the BIOS or System Setup. | | | | If you absolutely cannot part with data on an |
| During the pc boot up process, a warning will be | | | | inaccessible hard drive, then consider using a |
| displayed if the S.M.A.R.T function detects issues on | | | | professional data recovery service. These services |
| the hard drive. Immediately back up your data then | | | | have the facilities and technical expertise to recover |
| replace the hard drive. Another area that can reveal | | | | data from hard drives in almost any condition. The cost |
| problems is the event logs on Microsoft Windows | | | | of such services can range from hundreds to |
| based systems. The most common hard drive related | | | | thousands of dollars depending on the recovery |
| error event log message is "windows has detected a | | | | methods used and amount of data. |
| bad block on device." This message is usually | | | | Conclusion |
| accompanied with blue screens, corrupt data and | | | | Safe guarding personal data that resides on consumer |
| sluggish performance. At this point, backing up your | | | | grade hard drives should be a proactive endeavor. |
| files is critical. Consider using an external hard drive via | | | | Regular backups, local or off site and monitoring of |
| USB or fire wire for backing up your data if the failing | | | | preeminent failures can greatly increase and secure |
| drive is still accessible via the operating system. If the | | | | the long term availability of your personal data. |
| failing drive is no longer accessible then offline access | | | | Implementing Raid if your computer system supports it |
| is probably the next best option. | | | | can also assist in protecting your data. |