Process Of Data Evaluation In Data Recovery

By Author: James Walsh
Total Articles: 68
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Data recovery is the latest initiative in the effort of counteracting loss of data, whether it's due to bad weather, hardware failure, malicious intent or software failure.

Earlier, there was a lot of confusion and inconsistency regarding information about data loss. This made data loss and data recovery, the most misunderstood concepts in the computer industry. Because of this, many users often considered lost data as permanently damaged with no way of retrieving it.

But now, with the advent of new methods and spread of information on data recovery and loss, experts are focusing more on restoring data back to the systems as the way of overcoming the problems of data loss or corruption.

Data Recovery

Data recovery, according to the data recovery experts, is the process of salvaging deleted or inaccessible data stored on damaged media like magnetic disks and computer hard drives, optical devices and tape cartridges. A large number of data recovery software and data recovery service is designed to help users retrieve their files in case of a computer crash or virus attack. The complete process ...
... of data recovery from assessment of the media to actual recovery process takes place inside clean rooms.

A clean room is a controlled environment where the concentration of airborne particles is controlled to specified limits according to international standards. Eliminating and preventing sub-micron airborne contamination is not an easy task and follows a set procedure of control. This is essential for successful data recovery as any micron of a particle can also damage the open media permanently. This will further hinder the process of data recovery.

Data Evaluation Process

The first step of the process of data recovery service usually involves evaluation where the initial analysis of the extent of the data lost is determined. It gives the technician a chance to go through the media, determine what caused the failure and what needs to be done to restore the data. This is an extensive procedure involving a series of steps performed by the technician.

The technician must determine if the problem is logical, physical, or possibly a combination of both. Physical failures result in hardware malfunctions, while the logical problems originate from the software. Once the technician has found the problem and the cause, he can plan out the repair process to recover the information.

After the prognosis, the data recovery experts and technicians would then proceed in cloning or copying the media and assimilating it into their systems. This is possible if the technician is able to gain an access into the media. The data structure comes next, where the technician determines just how much of the data can be saved. This step in the evaluation can be time consuming, as the technician has to go through each sector step by step to identify which data can be retrieved and how much of it can be retrieved.

Once the evaluation process has been completed, the results are given to the client or the owner of the media. The technician goes over everything with the client and explains the options available. This is where he discusses pricing as well as how long will the process take. He also explains how much data can be retrieved and what might be the cause of the problem. This is the goal which the evaluation process is set to achieve.

The client can always get a second opinion. In the rare cases where no data can be retrieved, the technician will tell the client so. The actual data recovery process occurs when the technician secures and extracts the data from the copy of the damaged media.

Time and Cost of Data Evaluation

Normally, most data can be retrieved in as little as 48 hours. The evaluation process may take a few days, as it is more time consuming and planned out than the actual data recovery process. The evaluation process can take longer depending on the parts that are needed, or if other technicians need to be involved with the process. If the technician has all of the necessary parts on hand and the experience, it normally doesn't take long. On the other hand, if the hard drive has a lot of hardware and mechanical problems; it can take a few weeks before they retrieve anything.

Most data recovery services offer free data evaluation and quote a price for the recovery process they foresee. Also, many firms promise no overhead costs or change due to additional costs once they have quoted a price for actual recovery to the client.

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are concerned about data loss and would like more information on Data Recovery see http://www.fields-data-recovery.co.uk