Recovering Data

Data is the very essence of information technology. How it is created, transferred, stored and recovered when lost, can broadly define the world of information technology. Data defines how we live in the 21st century and what we do. Considering how important this data is, it is no wonder that so much importance is given to its storage and backup. However, for all its hi-tech nature, information technology is fallible to the smallest oversight and error. Information lost can result in the loss of millions for companies and hence the phenomenon of data recovery is forever pushing the envelope to better its service. Data recovery is the policing body of the IT world and comes to the rescue when data is lost.

Data recovery is the procedure by which data is salvaged from a corrupted or damaged primary media when it cannot be accessed in a routine manner. Data is usually recovered from storage media like CDs, DVDs, hard disk drives, storage tapes etc. The damage caused to the data can either be as a result of physical damage or logical damage. Often data recovery is also used for forensic purposes. Data recovery from simple complications can be a fairly straight forward process. However in the case of mission critical files of large volumes when the damage is extensive and there is no backup, it is a painstaking and precise process that has to be carried out by professionals.

Data Recovery Due To Physical Damage

Storage media that form the primary backup source of data are often made of easily destructible material and are susceptible to mishandling, environment, climatic changes and natural disasters. Storage media like CD ROMs are very delicate and can result in data loss because of a scratched surface. Hard disks often succumb to head crashes because of the delicate manner it is constructed. Tapes on the other hand can break. Sometimes, logical damage arises from physical damage of the media.

Physical damage cannot be easily repaired by amateur users and requires the expertise of a data recovery to step in and retrieve data. If a user tries to open the hard disk, dust could settle and cause further damage and endanger the recovery of data. Data recovery requires a highly sterilised environment that will not further hamper data loss. In fact so precise is the process that companies of repute all use “clean rooms” to carry out the process of data recovery ensuring that further damage is minimised.

Data recovery due to physical damage for example can involve the replacement of a damaged printed circuit board with a matching one, the replacement of damaged hard disk platters with healthy ones, changing the read/write head and in some cases will require more than one of these changes.

Data Recovery Due To Logical Damage

Logical damage is far more common than physical damage. In the case of logical damage, due to one reason or another (like power breakdowns and fluctuations) the file systems may not be completely written to the storage medium which can result in data loss. These inconsistencies can be rectified with the use of various types of recovery software. Most operating systems come with an inbuilt data recovery programme that can be used in the case of simple problems. The process followed in this instance is the scanning of the defective system to ensure that the structure is according to specifications. In another scenario it might involve rebuilding of the system structure from scratch. While these are ways that logical damage can occur, data loss can occur when these initial procedures do not amount to rectifying the mistake.

Oftentimes, logical damage is attributed to physical damage which may not be the case. Data loss caused due to logical damage can be more easily retrieved by a end user than if was caused due to physical damage. However given the importance of most data that is stored it is advisable to use professional help to recover data rather than try do-it-yourself techniques.

Data Recovery Success

The success rate of data recovery is considerably high. While it is a specialised process that requires a combination of the right software, hardware and skilled technique, data recover from a hard drive usually has a success ratio of above 100%.

The usual questions that are asked prior to a data recovery process are what data needs to be recovered, what kind of hard drive is used for storage, how much data is stored, and what the immediate signs were during the time of damage.

While data recovery experts are confident of recovering most lost data, in the event of a badly carried out data recovery process, there is the possibility of losing data completely.

Article Source: http://www.goldenpalacedownload.com/articles/

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are concerned about data loss and would like more information on Data Recovery see www.fields-data-recovery.co.uk

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