The best way to figure out the level of software is by the price. Anything you find priced under $75 USD means it's an undelete program; they usually fall within the price range of $35 to $40, but some are higher. A better quality recovery utility that is able to correct complex issues starts at about $80 and increases to over $400 for professional programs.
companies tend to break up the components of their software and sell them individually. The reason behind this is: about half of the users only plan on using one specific utility - and hopefully only once; while technicians hope to obtain various tools for different data loss situations for their business. So when looking around, make sure the program you are searching for is the one that can help solve your problem.
Four common recovery issues
Data recovery software and undelete recovery utilities can each retrieve lost, deleted, corrupt, and damaged files, and sometimes partition and boot sector problems. But there is an important difference between the two when it comes to recovering data. Before I get to this point, some background info about each kind of program and what they can offer will help you understand this major point:
1. A deleted file is a file you have decided to throw away by sending it to the recycle bin or by emptying it.
2. Lost files may have been emptied from the recycle bin, deleted by a virus, caused by a software crash, or an accidental format. Boot sector and partition table problems make files difficult to recover, so they may only be lost until the problem is resolved.
3. Corrupted files are either unable to be opened, or the content is unrecognizable when it does.
4. A damaged file may be able to open, but the content will usually appear distorted. You may be able to read one part, but the other part may look like a special code or scribble.
Here's the difference
Both data recovery and undelete recovery software are designed to retrieve all data loss circumstances, but there is one major difference between the two: Data recovery software is able to rebuild and repair a file system that is not intact to recover data - something undelete data recover software can't do. An intact file system means that the components that hold individual files together have not been changed.
Find these technical terms confusing? If you are still shaking your head with all this tech talk, don't worry? Just keep the cost guide I spoke about earlier in mind to help you choose the best data recovery utility.
Additional recovery option
In the end, disk data recovery software outperforms an undelete utility. However, when either one is unable to correct your data issues, you can turn to a hard disk data recovery specialist to restore your data manually. It can be somewhat costly, but when you need to restore your files, it could end up being your only solution.
Just imagine this scenario. You own a highly profitable specialty retail store that stock thousands of parts. These parts are procured from the best sources that you have identified over many years, based on product quality, timely deliveries, reasonable prices and customer support. You have also fixed the re-order levels based on years of experience. These re-order levels are the basis for automatically triggering replenishment requests when the stock of a part reaches danger levels.
All the data, parts specifications, selling prices, supplier details, inventory accounts, re-order levels, consumption statistics, negotiated prices and other such critical information are stored in your computer system at the back office. You do back up these data onto magnetic tapes. However you have never checked the reliability of these backup tapes.
One day, during a severe thunderstorm, your computer disks become unreadable. And you find that the backup tapes have become unreliable with the restored data being no better than useless garbage.
Now imagine the disastrous impact such data loss could have on your business operations and profitability. You might be able to reconstruct the part specifications and selling prices from paper records. However, re-identifying the preferred suppliers, the replenishment stock levels and negotiated prices for each of the thousands of parts might prove a highly disruptive exercise, if at all possible. The result would be a serious loss of control over your business operations and profitability.
Now suppose that you had called an expert data recovery specialist immediately upon the occurrence of the data loss. It is quite likely that the specialist would be able to make a complete recovery of the data.
To make such recovery possible, you should not even try to recover the data using the backup tapes that had never been checked for their reliability. If you do that, the data in the computer might become completely unrecoverable.
How Do Data Get Lost?
Data loss could occur owing to:
Physical damage to the storage device as when the hard disk head crashes or other mechanical failure happens
Logical damage to the file system causing incomplete writing and consequent inability of the operating system to display results correctly
Human error or action that results in deleting the data on the storage device
Virus attacks
No or poor backup policies or their improper implementation of the policies
Natural disasters like fires and floods
How Can You Prevent Data Loss?
There are certain steps that you can take to prevent or at least minimize data loss:
Implement a systematic backup procedure so that the data can be recovered if it is lost. Backup policies and implementation is a complex topic and it is best you get professional assistance for formulating policies and implementing them in your particular situation
Audit your data back up practices and periodically check the reliability of the backups
Train your computer personnel in certain important operational matters. For example, if unusual sounds are heard from the drives, it is best to shut down the computer; don't get liquids and stuff get into the computer; unplug power chords if smoke is seen coming out of the computer; and so on.
Install Anti Virus and Security software to prevent virus attacks.
Consider online back up services offered by third parties, which could help you even in cases of data loss owing to natural disasters.
In Case of Data Loss, Call in Experts!
Experienced experts would know what to look for, how to proceed and the most suitable alternatives for each situation. Your best bet is to entrust data recovery to such a specialist rather than try a Do It Yourself recovery attempt.
You would be able to appreciate advise against DIY better if you are aware of certain facts:
Data storage devices pack more and more data in less and less space. Even minute specks of dust could affect the integrity of the data.
Opening the sealed drives could cause just that ? allowing plenty of dust to damage the drive image, and make reliable recovery of the data impossible. Data recovery specialists work in highly controlled ?Clean Rooms? to prevent this.
Data recovery specialists use such methods as replacing the PCB of the drive with a matching healthy one and/or replacing read/write assembly parts with matching ones. Not only do these require highly specialized expertise but also facilities for working at high precision levels. End users of computers are not likely to have these.
Both Ken Roberts & Andy Wong are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ken Roberts has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Personal Desktop and Computers and The Internet. is not difficult - that's if you know what to look for. Follow Ken Roberts to simple explanations about this. Ken Roberts's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.
Andy Wong has sinced written about articles on various topics from Personal Desktop, computers and the internet. About Author: IntelliRecovery - A company authorized by all leading manufacturers, specialized in hard drive. Andy Wong's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.