| Over time most people tend to store valuable | | | | functions. Once the files become visible copy |
| data on their personal and business | | | | them onto disks or external drives. |
| computers. And, some never think about back | | | | |
| up systems. Often when things go wrong the | | | | 8. Never dry a wet hard drive with a dryer it |
| loss of data can rob you of your peace of | | | | will damage the system completely. |
| mind and sanity. | | | | |
| | | | 9. Clean up the system by deleting unwanted |
| The first thing to do when you perceive that | | | | files and software. |
| there is trouble in your server , hard disk, | | | | |
| or RAID health is to stay calm and not | | | | 10. Install protection systems like firewalls |
| facilitate further loss by pressing all keys | | | | and anti-virus scanners. |
| and codes. Take a deep breath and decide on | | | | |
| whether you are going to do the data | | | | As far as possible never drop a drive down. |
| protection and recovery yourself or seek the | | | | Use only recommended hardware and software. |
| help of specialists. The key to preventing | | | | Beware of free downloads. Set up an |
| loss of computer data is to create back ups | | | | infallible back up system. |
| like clockwork. | | | | |
| | | | Protect your data against loss by: |
| Data recovery, although possible, hardly ever | | | | |
| promises 100% recovery of lost data, here are | | | | 1. Conducting weekly backups that are |
| a few suggestions: | | | | offsite. Remote data back ups minimizes data |
| | | | loss. |
| 1. Use proven data recovery software and try | | | | |
| and retrieve lost files. | | | | 2. Use Storage area networks or SANs. |
| | | | |
| 2. If you suspect a hardware collapse just | | | | 3. Add surge protectors to your computer |
| pull the plug and call for professional help. | | | | system . This will protect the delicate |
| Do not try and shut down the system or save | | | | equipment. |
| any files. | | | | |
| | | | 4. Connect the whole system through an UPS or |
| 3. Listen to the computer and see if you can | | | | uninterrupted power supply system. |
| detect any abnormal sounds. | | | | |
| | | | 5. Install anti-virus software and firewalls. |
| 4. Connect the faulty disks to another | | | | |
| computer and use the disk as a slave to try | | | | 6. Insure your hardware. |
| and recover lost files. | | | | |
| | | | 7. Follow the rules of safe computer use like |
| 5. Consider investing in data recovery | | | | never opening attachments from unknown |
| software. Surf the World Wide Web and locate | | | | sources and protecting your system from |
| a reliable data recovery and protection | | | | phising by avoiding free downloads and so on. |
| service. Be sure to check their credentials. | | | | |
| | | | Take the ultimate step in protecting your |
| 6. If a drive is damaged do not run | | | | data by training all employees if you are a |
| defragmenters or volume repair utilities. | | | | business and if you are an individual then |
| | | | stay abreast of recent trends in computer |
| 7. In case the ruined drive has OS systems on | | | | protection and data recovery. |
| it get recovery systems that have boot | | | | |