Since computers process data again and again, they need safe storage devices where such data can be created, stored, processed and recalled again quickly anytime for further modification or deletion. Hard disks are the most popular non-removable storage devices. The common portable devices include CDs, DVDs, tape drives, USB drives and flash memory cards.

 

Most of these devices store data in a digital format as magnetic patterns or electric charge. The problem is that this data is volatile. It can easily get lost in an instant due to a variety of factors. Hard disks store data on rapidly spinning platters. Their surface has a coat of magnetic paint that is accessed by a read / write head.

 

Data from a hard disk can be lost due to various software errors such as file corruption and damage, virus attack, power surge, accidental deletion by the user and emptying of recycle bin, hard disk reformat and so on. Due to these errors, the data that resides on the hard disk is no longer accessible by the user and data loss occurs. Similarly, data can be lost from portable storage media. Optical disks, USB drives, flash memory cards etc. can be hit by a virus, the user may delete some files by mistake or the software may get corrupted due to many reasons.

 

When data loss occurs, it can really be a full-fledged calamity, especially in cases where the data is absolutely critical for the functioning of an organisation. Some data is simply irreplaceable such as rare family photos, a book manuscript, research figures arrived at after great deal of effort, a company’s archive of tax files or even a collection of music and video files collected with great patience and care over years.

 

What to do if you are hit by a data disaster? The first rule is to stop using the digital device immediately. When you operate a hard drive or some other storage media, data is constantly written or modified over it by the operating system. There is a real danger that the data that has become inaccessible may get overwritten by another set of data and thus get destroyed permanently. Overwriting is the surest way of making data disappear for ever. Even when you switch the computer on and off, there is a possibility of the data being overwritten.

 

Once you have left the data storage device alone, you have to decide what to do to recover the data. There are only two options – either try to do it yourself or take it to a professional data recovery company. The former is quite cheap and quick and really you do not need to bother with the other option in simple cases of data loss.

 

There are quite a few companies such as Rapid Recovery that sell shrink-wrapped DIY data recovery software. These software packages can either be downloaded online by paying through a credit card or you can order a CD for home delivery. Over the years, these do-it-yourself software have become quite capable as companies fine-tune them constantly to tackle more and more data recovery challenges. Today, they represent an effective alternative to recover your data quickly from the comfort of your home.

 

You will be surprised at what all data the DIY software can recover.

It can make a low-level scan of the entire storage media, identify the location where the missing data is residing, reconstruct damaged file structures and recover files. It can even extract files that were accidentally deleted by the user (even after the recycle bin has been emptied) or even after the hard disk or any other digital device has been totally reformatted!  For most commonly encountered cases of data loss, you do not have to go beyond DIY software at all. This can save you a lot of money and time.

 

The DIY software, however, have one major drawback – these are downloaded and installed on hard drives to start their operations. There is a danger that the files may get stored at the same place where your missing data is residing, destroying the latter beyond salvage. (However, if your missing data is on some other portable device such as a CD or USB drive, then there is no danger of data overwriting.)

 

Many DIY software now have the option of being run directly from the CD drive, bypassing the hard disk. This reduces the risk of overwriting to a large extent, but an element of uncertainty still remains. This is the only drawback associated with DIY software, which otherwise is a phenomenal tool at your disposal to recover your lost data files.

 

 

 

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are concerned about data loss and would like more information on <a href="http://www.fields-data-recovery.co.uk">Data Recovery</a> see http://www.fields-data-recovery.co.uk