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