We have all done it: we’ve gone to find that file that we need and it’s gone, or your computer suddenly refuses to load at all, and you’ve lost everything. If you’re getting that sinking feeling in your stomach right about now, then don’t worry: it is possible to get your data back. Below the article, here find the the must-read guide on data recovery.
Data recovery is often thought of as a complex field, but it’s actually fairly simple. In this quick guide, we’re going to take a look at how you can recover data that’s been lost and how it works. Ready to learn more? Then read on!
1. Recovering Deleted User Data
If your computer or other device is still working and you’ve simply deleted the files that you need, then recovering them should be fairly easy. When you delete a file on your phone or computer, it doesn’t just disappear. You can think of a hard drive as like a filing cabinet. When you store a file, you put a whole new file into the filing cabinet, complete with a label on it that lets you find it again.
When you delete a file, you’re taking the label off the file, but not actually removing it. Over time, your computer can overwrite the space where that file used to be, just as you might take out the old file to make room for a new one. Before the computer overwrites the file, you can still recover it. There are a number of different tools that can help you with this, many of them free, like Recuva.
2. Recovering Files From a Broken Phone or Computer
If your computer or phone fails to boot up, there might not be an issue with the hard drive. It could be that the power supply isn’t working, that the RAM is faulty, or another common fault.
If the hard drive isn’t damaged, recovering data is very easy. You’ll need to remove the hard drive from the device and then use a SATA cable to connect it to your computer. You will then be able to browse and transfer files at your leisure.
3. Recovering Files From a Broken Hard Drive
If the hard drive that you want to access is broken, you’re going to have a harder time recovering your files. That’s not to say that it’s impossible, though. Data is stored in binary, which leaves magnetic traces on the hard drive. Experts can piece files together by looking at these binary traces. So, how much is data recovery at this level? It varies: quick jobs won’t set you back too much, while more involved jobs that need more files recovered will cost a lot more.
Data Recovery: Your Files May Be Salvageable
No matter the sticky circumstances that you’re in, you may be able to use data recovery to save your files and get everything back. However, apart from files that you’ve deleted by accident, this is a job best left to the pros. For more informative articles like this one, check out the rest of our blog!