4 Ways To Make Data Recovery Easier Data recovery is a tricky beast for sure. It’s certainly no easy task and a lot of things can go wrong along the way. You’re going to want to make it as stress-free as possible for yourself. Of course, it’s worth prefacing the article with the simple fact that it’ll be easiest if you’ve been making regular backups of your data. We’ll assume that if you’re reading this that isn’t the case though, so make sure to remain calm as you go about attempting to recover your data – there’s nothing worse than making a hasty decision that can make things a whole load worse for yourself.

	1. Stop using the disk As soon as you notice that there’s a problem with your drive, whether that be a clicking noise from the physical hardware or a data corrupted message on screen, then stop using the computer. You should not ignore any of these tell-tale signs that your hard drive is on the fritz. If you continue to use the drive then it is going to make the problem worse and you will have less of a chance at getting your data back. If the failure is physical, like a scratched platter, then keeping it spinning is not doing it any favours. If it’s logical then by operating the drive you could be accidentally overwriting the very data you’re trying to get back. So, power down the computer and don’t use it: it’ll only make things worse. 2. Do not open the hard drive Avoid making some of the common mistakes that people commit when in a panic. The number one thing not to do is open the hard drive – ever. Hard drives are built in clean rooms, which mean that there are less than 100 airborne particles floating around. This is also the same type of room that professional data recovery companies might use when you send your drive off to them. The reason these so-called clean rooms are used is because a hard drive is an incredibly sensitive bit of gear. A sole speck of dust on the hard drive is like a tornado, damaging everything in its path. If you open up your hard drive at home then you’re essentially writing the death wish of the delicate platters on the drive (and then, in turn, your data). 3. Make an image of the drive If you are going to be attempting any sort of data recovery then you need to make an image of your drive. This is essentially means cloning everything in its current state. This is good because if a mistake is made when trying to recover the data then further damage is not permanent as you’ll have a copy of the drive in its previous state. 4. Recognize the type of failure: logical or physical? If the damage is physical and the drive needs to be opened then you’re best chance is sending it off to the professionals. Although this can cost quite a lot depending on the extent of the damage, it’ll certainly make everything a whole lot easier for you. This is especially true if you’re unsure how to handle the drive recovery. Ensure that you’re sending your drive off to a reputable company and don’t just go for the first place you find. Search around and ensure that you’re not only getting the best bang for your buck, but also that you have the best chance of getting your data back. Besides, that is the most important thing. Make things easier on yourself in the long run and do your research. If the failure is logical then you may find some success downloading software from the internet. These programs will scan your drive and try to bring back your missing files. For minor data problems, these programs will work a treat, but make sure you are using them properly. When recovering the data, be sure to save anything you find to a different location.