[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Hard drive recovery tips for disaster-damaged storage here

[HolidayJim]

How many times does the advice to have proper surge protection, file backups and complete hard drive images have to be shouted before consumers and business actually do it? $1000 to $1500 to recover a drive? How about a $100 for a new drive, copy the image over it in 15 minutes and drill holes in the old drive? This wasn't an unexpected storm. There was enough time to image them and leave.

[BulldogXX]

Quote

How many times does the advice to have proper surge protection, file backups and complete hard drive images have to be shouted before consumers and business actually do it?

Can't agree with you enough. On those few occasions when I've had a hard drive go down the tubes, all I had to do, once I went out and bought a new drive, was to restore my backups. In a matter of minutes it was like nothing had happened. And it stayed that way until my Visa billed showed up.

[almightyrecht]

Some good suggestions, I would add a couple more:

Never assume that data is unrecoverable, no matter what it has been through.

Do not shake, disassemble or attempt to clean any hard drive or server that has been damaged - improper handling can make recovery operations more difficult which can lead to valuable information being lost.

Do not attempt to operate visibly damaged devices.

Do not attempt to freeze-dry media.

Do not use common software utility programs on broken or water-damaged devices.

There are other companies that can assist with flood damaged drives. As an example, Kroll Ontrack is offering free data recovery evaluations for storage devices affected by Hurricane Sandy and with their labs in NJ and DC they are a great local solution.

[FrankDavid]

Do you think it is possible, in the near future, for hardware manufacturer to create a waterproof one? Anyway losing everything in your computer is a nightmarish situation. I really cried my heart out when someone stole my external hard drive and when my computer crashed. I usually relied on cloud storage but some of it are really disappointing. I have tried firms like <a href= http://www.dtidata.c...ta.</strong></a href> I find it decent.

The suggestions I could say is: for prevention - try the tips you gave, and try using cloud storage. If the damage is already done we need experts so try hard disk recovery companies like DTIdata. They have labs to check your hardwares

Cheers,

Franki

[FrankDavid]

Oh, it didn't turn out correct. *edit: I have tried firms like < href> I find it decent.

I have tried firms like DTI data here is the web site www.dtidata.com/hard-drive-recovery/ if you are interested.