Reasons for Data Loss
Data can be lost when the:
- File directory is missing or deleted
- Partition table is corrupted or damaged
- Drive becomes inaccessible
- Drive is reformatted
- Drive is not booting.
Varied software are available on the internet to recover lost digital data. Usually, these software are read-only data recovery utilities.
Selecting a Good Data Recovery Software
- A good data recovery software is user-friendly and effective.The manufacturer is also ever ready to offer plenty of support.
- A good data recovery software provides the client with plenty of tools for recovering data from deleted files, virus-affected files,data lost due to power outages, etc.
- The data recovery software should be suitable for any type of hardware interface and removable media.
- Data recovery software tools should be easy to install. For the clients can either be amateurs or professionals. And they should be able to handle them easily.
- The data recovery software should be able to retrieve 100%of the information.
- Help by the manufacturer regarding the usage of the data recovery software helps in the recovery of files even if the file system on the computer is severely corrupted.
- The data recovery software tools can be used in different types of hard drive and removable media.
Different Types of Data Recovery Software Tools
- To recover deleted files, the file recovery software should not be downloaded onto the damaged drive. Downloading onto the same drive, might rewrite the existing data. The file recovery software should be launched from a CD-ROM, floppy or even from another hard disk drive. Running the software will display a list of deleted files. The required ones can be selected and saved.
- In DOS system it is possible to partition a disk and each partition will behave like a separate disk drive.Partitioning is useful if more than one Operating System (OS) is run. But, the partition might get accidentally deleted or destroyed by virus and the OS may not be able to recognise it. The partition recovery software should be installed on a healthy drive. There should be enough space on the good drive to store the recovered data. The computer should be shut down and the drive on which the recovery work must be done should be installed as a second drive. The drive should be correctly recognised by the BIOS when the computer is started.If installing the slave drive is a problem, the drive manufacturer can be contacted for help. The software has to be run to rebuild the partition table on menu operation. Usually, the software offers two options; the auto mode and the interactive mode. Users switch on to the auto mode when there is a problem on the interactive mode. The partitions will be displayed on the screen and the required result can be saved.
- Recovery of data that has been lost due to formatting of partitions, crashed file system or damaged hard disk is possible by using the desktop recovery module.
- Sometimes data loss occurs when partitions have highly damaged directory services. Using the raw recovery module specific files can be recovered.
- Bad sectors in the storage media also leads to data loss. The image recovery software allows the creation of an image of the hard disk and data recovery is attempted from there.
Working of Data Recovery Software Tools
The installation of the software is simple.
- After selecting the appropriate tool it is downloaded from the internet.
- It is downloaded on a drive other than the damaged drive.
- Once the software programme is run, it reviews the files and displays the results on the screen.
- The necessary files are selected and recovered.
Reducing Data Recovery Costs
Retrieval of lost data is possible but, it is always preferable to protect data from loss by following a few simple rules.
- Disks should always be kept dust-free.
- Anti-virus software should be regularly updated.
- Disks should not be exposed to heat directly. Heat damages disks.
- Backups should be regularly created.
Data can be lost due to a number of reasons. A wide varietyof data recovery software tools are available for recovering lost data. Thesoftware that is easy to install and user-friendly should be selected. It is,however, good to keep data recovery costs to the minimum by following certainprecautionary measures.