Backup Tape Data Recovery

Tape data loss is one of the most frightening data recovery situations many businesses encounter, and the reason for this is obvious. In many cases, the tapes which have experienced the loss are important backup tapes - 75% of all tape data recovery jobs we encounter are for current and recent critical systems backups.

So what happens when your RAID's tape backup fails? What happens when it appears your tapes are toast? Best to trust an expert.

Click here for a RAID/Tape data recovery assessment.

Hard Drive Recovery Group has recovered data from backup tapes since backup tapes have existed in their modern forms. We appreciate that despite the fact that most businesses now backup their MS exchange servers and RAID 5-50 systems on backup RAIDs (the preponderance of extraordinarily cheap hard drives has made this a very inexpensive choice), tapes are still critical.

We have experience recovering data from tape in all formats, including LTO formats (LTO1, LTO2, LTO3 and LTO4), DLT formats of all varieties (including Super DLT, DLT 8000, DLT II-IV), Sony AIT formats and 1/2 Inch Open Reel and cartridges. Chances are, if it's backup tape or media, we've worked with it, and recovered and retrieved important data for our clients.

Tape Failure Causes

Much like the hard drives found in PCs or RAID array systems, backup tapes have one true weakness: they are mechanical in nature. With moving parts, of course, comes the ability for those parts to break down. For hard drives, it causes physical failure. For RAID systems, it can mean drive loss or RAID errors. For tapes, it can mean anything from snapped tape to accidental overwrites or bad formats.

Tape data corruption is typically caused by simple human error; either during the formatting process or because of accidental overwrites or format problems. The second most common is simply dirty tape drives, or damage caused by physical disasters such as fire or flooding. Either way, professional tape data recovery help is a must if you want your tape's data returned completely and with professional promptness.

The Tape Recovery Process Explained

Tape data recovery technicians at Hard Drive Recovery Group have literally seen it all. Our tape recovery tools consist of a variety of proprietary solutions. Firstly, all tape recovery requests are handled by our engineers in our Class 1000 Clean Room, to prevent any dust contamination, which can derail any tape data recovery from the start.

Once safely dismounted, your tape or tape drive is examined thoroughly by our technician, who will quickly determine if the tape must be recovered using our software tools, or with actual physical data recovery.

From there, data tapes are imaged and typically transferred to the media of your choice. This process can be expedited as well, to ensure your business is up and running as it was in less than 24 hours!