Regarding the backups - an external hard drive via USB port is a good
consideration because it can be stored in a fireproof safe, away from
fire, storms, floods, etc. And it can also be automated, as long as
the drive is turned on and ready to go when the software tells the
machine to back-up. If there are relatively small files that need
backed up, a data-key (AKA memory card-drive, AKA USB drive, AKA
thumb-drive, etc.) can be used, coming in at very affordable prices
these days.
If data is critical on the drive that went down, there are recovery
services that essentially dismantle the drive in a clean room and with
very sophisticated equipment pull the data off, attempting to preserve
file structures, etc. It all depends on how damaged the (magnetic) disk
surface is. If the drive just suffers from mechanical failure, but the
disk surface is intact, possibly 100% is recoverable.
But be forewarned, it's expensive. Like $250 just to assess the drive
and possibly hundreds more for what is recovered. And yes, the price is
related to what has been recovered, not just what time they have in it.
There was a complete article on it in PC Magazine Feb. 7, 2006 called
Hard Drive Healers which you can access free at www.pcmag.com. The
company they used was called Ontrack. It was a pretty interesting
article. Other companies that advertise are: Logicube.com, ESS Data
Recovery Labs and Lazarus Data Recovery. I have never used any of these
and don't know how good or bad or expensive they are. (I am not making a
recommendation.)
Good luck, John. I learned the hard way years ago. Hope you don't have
to. Hope you can get your data. If there is anything else I could help
with, e-mail or call me. I know the sick feeling you get when the "fit
hits the shan" with a computer. I know more about computers than I do
about a Brick - obviously something's wrong with that. I would love to
be able to correct that, but livelihood comes first. I'm a CPA who has
been "learning by doing" for years and years. I've built them from
scratch for at least 10 years and know the whole process from software,
hardware, etc. The problem is at this point, I HATE COMPUTERS. They
are necessary, but I hate them, maybe because they are necessary. The
Brick is not necessary and I love it. I am good at fixing it too, but
not like you guys. You are much more knowledgeable and technical than
I. The group is tremendous for me, as it is for most of us. If I can
re-pay some of the great advice I've learned on the Brick by helping out
on any computer problems, I'd be most happy to do that.
Paul Amo
#1207
George Schiro wrote:
>John,
>
>I keep all my data files on a separate D: drive. That way if Windows crashes,
>I can reinstall it on the C: drive without losing anything. I also set up
>Outlook to store my email on the D: drive.
>
>--- jblair1948@cox.net wrote:
>
>From: <jblair1948@cox.net>
>To: <Bricklin@autox.team.net>
>Subject: George Malaska
>Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2006 6:58:56 -0500
>
>George,
>
>Can you resend me the DB. My computer crashed 2 days ago.
>I lost my HD. Been trying to recover stuff, but not having
>a lot of luck.
>
>John
|