First Responses before, during, after OS or Data loss crises.

[RolandJS]

This is a discussion, I welcome data restoration and data recovery specialists' comments about making the advice and practicals better for newbies and average computer users.

First Responses before, during, after OS or Data loss crises.

** Those with Dynamic, RAID, SSD, or 3GB+ setups -- seek advice from those specialists. **

A few good "first responses" PRIOR to any OS and/or Data loss crisis
AND
A few good "first responses" AFTER any OS and/or Data loss crisis
-- using Macrium Reflect, AOMEI Backupper, EaseUS Todo, or anything similar, free or pay-for:
---- routinely make full image backups of one's OS and Data onto affordable and reliable external media; or
---- routinely make a clone of your OS and Data hard-drive onto another reliable hard-drive
---- make usb and dvd boots with your backup/restore utility of choice
[if no cd/dvd device in laptop, if affordable, get a usb cd/dvd device]

During any of the following situations, these three first responses may be best:
1) chill 2) breathe 3) chill

During any file or files deletion loss
If Windows works, if Recycle Bin works - check for any deleted file(s) you want to un-delete.
If Windows works, if you have a 3rd party un-delete program, check that bucket.

During any Windows not working crisis
If no Windows,
OR
During any partition(s) not found crisis
If no partition(s),
Boot backup/restore/cloning utility usb or dvd,
[if no cd/dvd device in laptop, if affordable, get a usb cd/dvd device] and:
-- if possible, make a one-pass DIY clone onto an external HD; or
-- if possible, make a one-pass DIY full image of the hard-drive onto any affordable and reliable external media
-- wait patiently, in whichever forum you're in, for expert advice and help; or
-- if affordable, take it to a local computer fix-it place/specialist and let him/her help you; or
-- if affordable, if possible, send the hard-drive to a data recovery place

During any hard-drive not found crisis
If no hard-drive access, it's mostly either a physical failing or a "logical" failing
There is a fork in the road, you choose which tine, which path, you believe is best --
1) Boot backup/restore/cloning utility usb or dvd,
[if no cd/dvd device in laptop, if affordable, get a usb cd/dvd device] and:
-- if possible, make a one-pass DIY clone onto an external HD; or
-- if possible, make a one-pass DIY full image of the hard-drive onto any affordable and reliable external media
OR
-- wait patiently, in whichever forum you're in, for expert advice and help; or
-- if affordable, take it to a local computer fix-it place/specialist and let him/her help you; or
-- if affordable, if possible, send the hard-drive to a data recovery place

Making a DIY one-pass clone or full image means:
-- the process reads or tries to read each sector only once, there is no re-reading, re-trying any sector
-- the process is started and run, without interruption, to completion
-- when the process "says" it is finished, it is finished and the 2ndCopy HD is put away for safe-keeping
-- if the process interrupts itself at any time or point, the process is finished, the 2ndCopy HD is put away
AND
-- wait patiently, in whichever forum you're in, for expert advice and help before continuing; or
-- if affordable, take it to a local computer fix-it place/specialist and let him/her help you; or
-- if affordable, if possible, send the hard-drive to a data recovery place

This is as far I can go for this article. I'm hoping data restoration and data recovery specialists
will weigh in with their advice and practicals in future articles.

If you want to see snippits, elsewhere-posted comments of data recovery folks far wiser than I,
gathered from across The 'Net, see my itty bitty place's backup,restore...thread.

 

[smorizio]

with data loss it can happen at any time. when i worked at emc before by back went bad most data losses where cause by people have there backup machines on the same power grid as the main back up devices or in the same room. 9/11 data loss were from unit being to close to each other (other tower). we also gotten units from flood and fire. for a home user or small biz. dont have all your backup on one drive. make sure there an offilne or cloud back up. for data that cant be lost also use usb sticks and place in fire proof safe.

 

[USAFRet]

Data loss from my mistake? Aw crap. Let me resurrect from last nights backup.
Data loss from a physical drive fail? Aw crap, I have to buy a new drive. Let me resurrect from last nights backup.

OS not working? What did I do last? Undo that.
If not undoable, resurrect from the backup I made just before doing this hazardous thing, or last nights backup.

 

[RolandJS]

Thanks guys, your comments will add to the discussion!