Data makes the world go round. Most of us donât realize it yet but that is the hard-hitting truth. Data is precious that weâd move heaven and earth to get it back once we lose it whatever the reason may be. However, dealing with technology is a tricky matter. One simple mistake can wipe out all your data in an instant and there is no other way for you to get it back. People often panic right away when they canât access their hard drive especially when they need to find something in that instant. But panicking often leads to more costly mistakes that were avoidable if you only stayed level-headed the entire time.
The most common cause for hard drive failure is software-related and the second one does not have anything to do with you but with the hard drive itself. However, you should not ignore your hard drives if you have no idea what you are doing because you might inflict more damage than what was there previously. There are different ways to fix issues depending on the extent and the nature of the problem. But should you take your chance in fixing it yourself to save a few dollars? Itâs up to you as to how confident you are with your technical skills but here are some DIY tips for the brave at heart.
Some less technical and slightly more unconventional DIY recovery process that are also becoming a popular safety net in the event of data loss or hard drive failure are home remedies. The oldest trick in the book is the constant restarting of the device in the hope that it will fix itself. The repeated rebooting may actually cause further damage. We always recommend stopping using the device but it is best practice to switch off (once) and call a reputable computer repair or data recovery company.
It can get a bit more extreme than that though. An urban legend once said that leaving your hard drive in the freezer or refrigerator will fix it. This is not true at all. By doing this the only thing that you will achieve is a frozen and broken hard drive. Other comical home myths include hanging your device out âto dryâ if liquid gets in, leaving your device is rice to draw the liquid out (although this wonât cause further damage it also will not solve the issue), and lastly leaving a device in an airing cupboard (this may in fact contribute to the damage due to the humidity in this environment).Â
We cannot deny that we have all been there when we panic to try and save our data and deciphering whether a myth will actually help get it back or make the situation worse is always difficult. It is our natural reaction to do all that we can  to help save our data but, like the technical DIY âfixesâ, sometimes this can cause more harm than good.
(Via: http://www.itproportal.com/features/the-donts-and-donts-of-diy-data-recovery/)
Attempting a DIY approach to a hard drive failure problem also depends on the amount and type of data stored within. If the data isnât that precious to you and you donât mind losing it in the unfortunate circumstance of your attempt going haywire, then feel free to open it up and fix it to the best of your ability.
If you want to spare yourself from all the hassles of data recovery at all, make sure you backup your data so you wonât go crazy if you canât access the original file on your PC. You can always get to your backup file especially when the time is of the essence. Remember that prevention is better than cure and it does not only apply to your health but to technology too.
DIY methods
When youâve lost data, itâs very tempting to take matters into your own hands and attempt to do something yourself. While it might seem like a good idea at the time, DIY methods can often lead to further accidental damage and even permanent data loss. Instead of using DIY methods try contacting your IT specialist or reputable data recovery specialist first â a good provider will give you all of the options based on the situation and advise if it is safe for you to try DIY software methods. If youâd like more information about why DIY data recovery can be a bad idea, check out this article.
Open your hard drive
Last but not least, you should never attempt to open your device yourself. Unless you are an experienced data recovery specialist in a cleanroom environment, you are almost always going to cause more damage, no matter how careful you are. For spinning hard drives, even microscopic dust particles can have a catastrophic effect on your device and can destroy data that could have been saved by a professional. Like many DIY methods, itâs tempting to try them, but this is something you should always leave for the specialists.
(Via: https://www.krollontrack.co.uk/blog/pieces-of-interest/not-youve-lost-data/)
Refrain from panicking once you realize your data is lost. That is the first rule you have to keep in mind. What you should do is to assess the situation and try to remember what warning signals have you failed to recognize in the last few days. You are only advised to dabble with DIY solutions to hard drive failure if you somehow have a basic understanding of computers especially that of hard drive systems. If you donât, it is almost always better to consult a professional who can get to the bottom of the issue with no sweat at all.
Professional assistance comes at a price, though. Not everyone charges the same and you might end up dealing with scammers who are only interested in your money rather than in helping you at all. If you want professional help without breaking the bank, just give us a call and weâll be there to help you get your lost data back.