I work on computers every day where the hard drive fails. The failure often leaves the user in a state of panic. Why panic? They usually do not have their data backed-up. It is frustrating to me that they have no back-up of data when they have a CD/DVD burner, flash drive, or access to a server for storing data.

Hard Drive Failure

Why hard drives fail? Hard drives are man-made and will fail at some point. Hard drives are susceptible to heat, humidity, dust, electromagnetism, static electricity, and rough handling. but the question is not really why, buy when.

Data Corruption

Your data can become corrupt or lost due to a hard drive failure. Data can also become corrupt because of an improper shut down, poorly written software, viruses, and mechanical issues.

Myth: I will know when my hard drive is about to fail.

Truth: Maybe not. There are systems like SMART that will give a warning before hard drive failure. However, even if you have SMART enabled in your BIOS, you may have an unexpected failure.

Your system may give you some signs that the hard drive is about to fail. For example: unusual hard drive noises, unexpected shut downs, BSOD (blue screen of death), error messages, files/data disappear, and file folder name changes.

What to do if you receive any signs of failure? If you hear unusual noises, shut the system down immediately. Turning off the system may allow any remaining life in the drive to be used for backing up data. In case of other signs: Back up your data!

Learn how to get your data from a crashed hard drive at Simple PC Talk.

How to Recover Data from a Hard Drive
Just Released - 2008


You can now use the techniques that the pros use to get your data back and save money.

I will show you Step-by-Step how easy it is to recover your data.

These are the same techniques I use everyday as a professional.

You can help friends and family recover their data.

Start your own data recovery service.

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How to Recover Data from a Hard Drive

Handy Backup


Handy Backup is an easy-to-use yet powerful backup program designed for Windows 9x/NT/2000/Me/XP. It makes an automatic backup of your critical data virtually to any type of storage media: hard or network drive, CD-R/W, FTP or LAN. Special plugins are provided to facilitate the backup of ICQ, system registry and MS Outlook data. Strong file encryption and multichoice ZIP compression on the fly as well as many other useful features will protect your valuable data. All backup activities are notified into a log file. Detailed online help is available.



EzBackup


EzBackup is designed to do drive to drive backup. It will provide you with an exact duplicate of your drive on another drive. You can use any external USB, FireWire or eSATA drive or even a second internal IDE or SATA drive as your backup drive.

Here's how it works. First, EzBackup will help you transfer an exact image copy of your hard drive to your backup drive. This image backup will reflect any partitions on your drive and will contain your operating system and preferences plus all your programs and data files. Next, you'll decide which files you want EzBackup to backup on a regular basis and when and how often--once, twice, up to eight times a day--you want these backups to take place. You can even set EzBackup to backup whenever a particular event takes place, such as every time you attach or turn on your backup drive or (if your drive has an action or backup button) every time you push the button.

Whether you inadvertently delete just one or two files, corrupt your operating system, or lose your entire drive due to a disk crash, you'll have everything you need to quickly replace or restore what's been lost. No hassle. No costly or annoying downtime. If you're in the middle of a project with no time to spare, you may be able to simply switch to your backup drive and keep on working.

And--unlike tape backup or other backup programs-- there will never be any question as to whether your backup files really exist. EzBackup uses no hidden compression/decompression methods or unreadable backup files. You can verify the validity of your backup files anytime by simply opening a Windows Explorer window and looking at your backup drive.

EzBackup works automatically in the background. It won't disturb you while you work and won't forget to backup when you're away. Schedule up to 8 automatic backups a day. Backup manually anytime. Have EzBackup overwrite existing backup files with each new backup or tell it to maintain multiple backups with dated restore points so you can revert to an earlier version of a file if necessary. You can select individual files and folders or entire file types--such as all music, videos or picture files--for backup.

You can even have EzBackup notify you by email to let you know a backup has occurred. Backup and restore at 1 minute per Gbyte of data. Use EzBackup's built-in drive migration and partitioning tools to quickly and easily transfer your entire drive contents to a new or larger drive. EzBackup will clone your existing drive on the new one. No need reinstall applications or copy files. No searching for system or application disks. No need to download software and driver updates. It couldn't be easier.

Schedule backups with a point and click.

Once you set it, backups run automatically.

Schedule up to 8 automatic backups a day.

Backup manually as often as you like..


Restore a file or folder instantly.

Restore, replace or duplicate your entire boot drive quickly and easily.

Overwrite old backups or save multiple backups with dated restore points..

Verify your backups any time - Just take a look. .

Backup or restore at 1 GB per minute..

Compatible with all external and internal drives: USB, Firewire, IDE, SATA, eSATA--take your pick..

Windows 2000/ XP Home/ XP Professional/ Vista

Seagate FreeAgent Desktop 250GB Ext. USB Hard Drive
Ideal for allowing your digital content room to breathe, FreeAgent Desktop Drive features a vast capacity with the footprint no bigger than a stapler - just plug it in and you're ready to go!

LaCie d2 Quadra 500GB Ext. FW/FW800/USB/eSATA Hard Drive
Fully loaded with all the best interfaces - eSATA, FireWire 800, FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 - the d2 Quadra brings you complete universal connectivity. Boasting superior features such as a 16MB cache, advanced 3-level power management, bootability and professional backup software, it's designed for professional performance. Easily back up, archive or exchange all of your files, videos, MP3s and JPEGs or upgrade your PC or Mac with additional capacity. Its space-saving d2 design by Neil Poulton is so versatile, that it can stand upright, stack or be rack-mounted - safeguarded by the best in heat-dissipating technology. The LaCie Shortcut Button allows you to easily launch any application with one push.

Deluxe USB 2.0 to IDE/SATA Cable for 2.5"/3.5"/5.25" Drive

This EN2535A USB 2.0 to IDE drive adapter implements a bridge between one USB port and one SATA, ATA or ATAPI based mass storage device port. The EN2535A turns any IDE drive into a convenient external drive. Easily transfer files from computer or notebook, back up files, or store large file archives on hard drives. With its plug and play design it's easy to install.