Desktop/Laptop Data Recovery

It’s always a big mess when your hard drives crashes and you feel like bankrupt without your data. Well, if you’re the one facing such situation, you’re not alone. Hundreds of hard drives crash daily and seeing this the technologists have developed some really handy tools that help you recover your data. The amount of recovered data, however, varies, depending on the situation. Normally, you can recover everything even deleted files too if nothing was overwritten.

Below, we’ll discuss file recovery in two different situations, i.e. with and without secondary computer.

1. Recovering Files Using Secondary Computer: This is probably the best option to recover files from a crashed hard drive. You must have another computer, working properly and have the crashed hard drive attached as secondary drive on it. Once you’ve attached the drives properly follow the steps below:

1. Get PC Inspector File Recovery: It is one of good and easy to use file recovery software. A good software we have used in the past is Wise Fixer, whilst it may seem expensive it’s worth it in the long run – especially as you may have to have your computer repaired for $100+!
2. Install the Software: You must not try to install the software on crashed hard drive, doing so will overwrite your drive and you won’t be able to recover your files.
3. Select the Right Option: It has basically three options, i.e. Recover Deleted Files, Find Lost Data and Find Lost Drive. You have to choose between last two options. Use the second option if your drive letter is appearing in My Computer and use the last one, if your drive is not showing up at all.
4. Let it Recover: On selecting the right option and pressing enter, the software will start browsing your hard drive and will recover you the maximum possible data.

1. Recovering Files Without Using Secondary Computer: This option is suitable for the situation when you don’t have a secondary computer available. Definitely, you need some software here as well, but these are of different nature. In order to recover files from a crashed hard drive without support of any secondary computer, you need a boot CD. If you’ve been running windows, get a boot CD for windows and run it. The CD will allow you to run diagnostic utility on your hard drive and recover files from there. Normally these CDs come with a file recovery tool as well.
2. Using 3^rd party software: Using software is a very suitable option – as you know that the software should be automatically saved, in the past I have lost data via crashing and so I recently purchased this software Deleted File Recovery, which has saved me a large amount of time and effort – especially for any coursework I have had in the past.

Although there are options to recover files from a crashed hard drive, you must always be ready for any such situations, because you never know your hard drive can fail anytime due to any reason. In order to be ready to meet such a crisis, you can have an external hard drive and have your important data backed up on it. External hard drives are not that expensive, i.e. you can find one with 1 terabyte storage capacity for under $100. Having a back up is a smarter choice and a great advantage in case if you’ve encountered a hard disk failure.

Backing up your computer is a smarter choice, because you can meet any uncertain situations anytime, i.e. hard drive failure, OS failure, corrupted files due to a software etc. Computer back up is necessary not only to meet these situations, but is an essential while migrating to another computer or upgrading system or software within it. Computer backup allows you to avoid unnecessary tensions as well as offers optimum mobility of data.

Well, for those who’ve spent years in dealing with computer problems taking computer backup is matter of minutes, while for newbie computer users and those who occasionally uses it, computer backup is a rocket science. Since, in actual there’s nothing technical involved, taking backup can be matter of minutes for all type of users. Below is complete guide to backup your computer using Windows XP.

1. Connect the External Hard Drive to System. Normally the external hard drives are connected to USB port on your computer, just as your mouse or keyboard it attached.
2. Click on “Start” on your computer’s desktop.
3. Click and open My Computer.
4. You can see the external drive in the My Computer window, click and open it. Now create a folder for the backup and open that folder.
5. Again go to “Start” and open My Computer.
6. Now you’ve two windows opened, i.e. My computer and the External Drive.
7. Now open the location of the files/folders you want to back up, i.e. if your files are kept in D: or E: on your system.
8. In case if you don’t know where exactly your files are kept, then go to Start Search and find your files using file names.
9. Once you found the files that you need to back up, simply copy them.
10. Now go to the external hard drive’s window and paste your files.
11. The alternate way is to Resize all opened windows, drag the desired item from source location (D: E: etc) and drop it to destination location (external hard drive).
12. Repeat the same steps for all files and folders until you’ve back up all necessary files.
13. To verify if files have been copied properly, open them from the external hard drive and see if they’re working fine or not!

Tips for Effective Computer Backup:

The above mentioned process if performed in a hurry may cause many important files to be un-backed up. So, in order to take complete backup, and not to miss a single important file do the following:

1. Create a folder in your system with name “Backup”
2. Search all necessary files and folders that are needed to be kept in back up.
3. Put them all in the “Backup” folder on your system.
4. Now you’ve all your backup files in one folder and you just need to copy this folder to the external hard drive!

Please, note if you’re using any other operating system, i.e. Mac, Linux etc, this guide might not be useful as it is meant for Windows 7 users only.

Image by hochit via Flickr

Once many things were near to impossible, but time has changed and technology has improved things to a greater extent. For instance files once deleted from recycle bin were lost forever, but now recovering a deleted or lost file is matter of few seconds. There are many files recovery software available as well as operating systems are coming with data recovery tools. With so much ease, Mac users like any other OS users can now easily recover deleted files. Various methods of files recovery in Mac are discussed below:

1. Using Time Machine: This is Apple’s built-in resource for data files recovery which is part of Leopard OS. Apple machines bought after November 2007 have the latest OS, Leopard loaded on them. Time Machine is a tool that you can use with extreme ease. All you need to do is to open the application, go to the point where you want to access your file, click “Restore” and you’re done. The program will recover the file and will place it in the folder where it was kept before deletion.
2. Using Third Party Software: There is variety of third party software available for Mac with which you can recover your deleted or lost files, i.e. Stellar Phoenix, REMO Mac Recover etc. Stellar Phoenix can recover lost files from Mac hard drive after emptying Trash Bin as well as data loss due to any other reason. You can recover data from HFS, HFS+, HFSX, HFS Wrapper, and FAT file system volumes. On the other hand, REMO Mac Recover can also recover data in all data loss situations including emptying trash. The efficient algorithms make it work quite faster as compared to other software. Furthermore, third party software for the recovery of deleted files on Mac include both paid and free options, but finding the right one needs little effort. Better is to check out user reviews on Mac forums before buying one.

Although Mac data recovery tools are very powerful and the third party tools are also intelligent enough to recover data, but there can be chances of not recovering the full data that has been deleted or lost due to changes on system, so the best way is to have backup prior to making any changes. Following are most common and much efficient methods for backup on Mac:

1. Mac Membership: With Mac membership, you can back up your files to a hard drive, a CD/DVD or iDisk. You need to select a backup plan, which can be found in the Backup window. Just select the files you want to restore and click “Restore”. You can have full system backup as well!
2. Using FileSalvage/ Data Backup 3: With this option for Mac backup, you can back up, restore and synchronize any files you want. Run the application, select the required settings and you can now travel back to find files and folders. You can also schedule your backups with this option which is really very useful in case of system failure.

It’s not just the threat of hard disk failure that requires you to have proper backup of your important data, instead various other things require the same. For instance, it’s a routine software update or you’re going make a major change by installing some other software. Chances of something going wrong are always there, and so you must have a safe end, i.e. backup. Well, in order to avoid any data loss on situations like hard disk or system failure, virus attacks, software malfunctioning etc, the best way is to keep a backup of all necessary files. Below are the most common ways with which you can have effective data backup:

1. Having Backup on Your Computer’s Hard Drive: This is the most common method of taking files backup. To have a backup on your computer, you must have your hard disk partitioned; else the disk failure will cause backup data loss as well. Create a backup folder in secondary partition, i.e. D: or E:. Never have backup on the partitioned where Operating system is installed. To have back of your files, go to the desired partition, create a backup folder and copy all important files in there.
2. Flash Drive: Flash drives as they’re quite handy are very popular for data travelling as well as quick backups. Attach the flash drive to computer, copy important files and you’re done. Now stick the flash drive anywhere anytime you want and retrieve files. Although it’s handy, flash drives are vulnerable to viruses and do not have high storage capacity, so if you’ve GBs of data to back up, leave this option.
3. External Hard Drives: This is very much flexible option, as external hard drives have plenty of space to store almost more than one computer within them. The process of taking backup on external hard drive is exactly same as above. If you want to take complete system backup, this is the perfect option as you can have terabytes of storage on such drives.
4. CD-R or DVD-R: You can avail this option only if your system has CD or DVD writer. Having the feature available, you can copy your important data to discs. This is an ideal backup option for storing media files and documents, while it is not that useful if you’re looking for entire system back up. The process is, however, simpler, you insert the disc into the CD-ROM drive and follow the on-screen prompts to back up and burn files.
5. Internet Storage: Not everyone, but professionals with lot of internet activity and data requirements on different remote locations prefer this option. There are some services like Dropbox that allow uploading files to their servers and can access them anytime anywhere. This is perfect option for people who use remote computer systems. Although it’s good, but there are some security issues related to uploading sensitive files on such portals, so always check all necessary details about the company, especially the TOS and privacy policy before uploading your files.

One group of technology developers is continuously working to improve internet security, while other one is working at same pace to break this security. The later discussed group is most commonly known as hackers and due to their presence your computer is at risk for the time you’re connected to the internet. You probably be thinking that staying offline is the best way to secure your computer from hackers’ attack. Well, this is simply not possible, because from email to online shopping, everything has become essential part of our lives and without all these we cannot move forward.

Depending on your internet usage and your knowledge about hacking attacks there can be various ways with which you can protect your PC from being attacked by hackers. But, for a common user, who doesn’t know much, below are few best practices suggested by internet security experts:

1. Up to Date Operating System: Whether it’s Windows, Mac or any other OS, there’re always some loopholes including security issues, which are fixed by developers on continuous basis. This is what requires you to update your operating system. In case you do not have latest updates installed, your system’s chances of becoming victim of hackers’ attack increase considerably.
2. Stay Behind a Firewall: All major operating systems come with a built-in firewall, which is a program designed to stop unwanted traffic on your computer. At times, this firewall is found turned off, which means there can be any type of intrusions on your PC. In order to surf safely on internet, make sure that your firewall is turned on.
3. Use a Good Anti Virus Software: Antivirus software now come with much more intelligent features that enable them to detect any threats when computer is connected to the internet and you can stop a possible attack right there. Although antivirus software is a great utility to stay safe on internet, choice of right software matter a lot. Do check user reviews for an antivirus before buying it. Whilst antivirus software may seem expensive at first – you must ask yourself is your PC/Laptop worth it?
4. Keep an Eye on Incoming Mails: Hacking attacks via email have become very common now, whereby you may receive a mail with very attractive offer and urging you to click on a link which automatically starts a virus download that steals data from your system and sends it to the hacker. This is one simple example of a hacking attack via email; there can be various other ways to trap you right from your inbox. The best way to encounter such situations is to stay away from unknown and strange mails.
5. Download from Trusted Websites Only: There’re too many websites offering free songs, movies and software downloading. This may sound very attractive to have such goodies available for free, but you must know that most of these sources include viruses, spyware and malware that are automatically downloaded when you download a song or movie. To avoid getting all these in your system and securing your system, you must download from trusted sources only.
6. Keep your PC upto speed: Having a slow PC is annoying in itself, it can occur due to a number of reasons, the main reasons are that you have a virus (download a paid antivirus software if you do, as many free ones don’t fully delete most viruses), you have to many files on your laptop/desktop – or you have some registry issues on your PC. There are many programs which offer to ‘speed up your PC’, however, I have found that many of them actually contain viruses themselves – which is obviously not what you want. I recently found PC Speed Doctor (http://bit.ly/lckm0e) of which I can personally guarantee it doesn’t contain any viruses – and actually works.