IMPORTANT DATA RECOVERY TIPS

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

Back Up Data Frequently
One of the most important things you can do is to back up data on a frequent and routine basis.  By having a backup of
your data, you will be saving yourself time and money in the event you do encounter a problem with your computer or server.

If You Hear Strange Noises
Noises that originate from an otherwise normally functioning computer can indicate problems with the internal components.  You may hear grinding or clicking noises coming from the hard disk.  If you experience such noises, it is very important that you immediately power the computer off.  Allowing the computer to remain on could cause damage to data residing on the
hard disk.

Use a High Quality Power Strip
A high quality power strip will block power surges and regulates the amount of power coming in to the power supply of the computer.

Even Better- Use a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply)
Going one step further than the power strip, a UPS helps to protect your computer or server from electrical damage that can occur from lightning strikes, blackouts, or power surges.  You can purchase a UPS at your local office or computer supply store or online.

Use Anti-Virus Software
You should purchase a quality anti-virus software and download the latest virus definitions regularly.  The software helps to
protect against the latest virus threats.

WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO:

Remove the Cover of Your Hard Disk
The hard disk cover serves a very important purpose- to protect the internal components from dust in the environment.  By opening the cover, you could be sacrificing the data which resides on the disk platters.

Do NOT Keep Using the Drive
If you suspect that your hard disk may be failing and important data exists on the drive, you should stop using the drive.  The longer a disk with damage is used, the more damage it can suffer (this is especially true if you hear a "clicking" or "grinding" noise).  This can reduce the chances you have to recover data that may exist on the drive.  Power the computer off and contact a data recovery company.

Do NOT Attempt to Repair the Hard Drive With "Off The Shelf" Software
Also be wary of "off the shelf" data recovery software.  Such software can write data to the drive causing existing data (that could have been recovered) to be overwritten.

Do NOT Run SCANDISK, CHKDSK or FSCK On The Drive
Be careful not to run these utilities on your failing hard drive.  These utilities are designed to correct file system errors on hard disks.  They cannot correct non file system errors. Hence they can damage a drive and its data causing it to be fragmented and unrecoverable.  Newer operating systems such as Windows XP or Windows 2000 can automatically trigger these utilities to run.  If this happens you will have approximately 10 seconds to hit the ESC (escape) key to cancel the utility from running. 

Do NOT Attempt to Format a Hard Drive or Run FDisk to Modify the Partitions
This can cause permanent data loss.  If you have already run such a utility or formatted the drive, DO NOT continue to use
the drive and do not install any additional software on the drive as this can overwrite data on the drive.

Do NOT Expose the Drive to Extreme Temperatures
There exists a belief that one can freeze a hard drive in order to get it working properly again.  This is only a myth and can
actually "freeze" the data off the drive.  Also never expose your hard drive to heat.  Hard drives are very sensitive to extreme
temperatures- which is why computers are equipped with cooling fans to keep hard drives from overheating.

Do NOT Shake/Hit the Drive
Out of frustration, people sometimes have a bad habit of hitting or shaking their failing hard drive.  This will certainly only make matters worse by damaging the fragile internal components of the drive.