Solving The Data Loss Mystery: Data Recovery Prevention

Data loss is one of computing's most misunderstood concepts. A user is suddenly unable to access information and is suspended in a state of confusion and panic, wondering, where their data went, and what to do to get it back? What caused the data loss? What could have been done to prevent it? By examining data loss causes, technicians can offer prevention tips, and give users the information they need to adequately minimize the chances of data loss. 

What Is Data Loss? 

Lost data is data that has become inaccessible to the user. Confusion arises because the industry often presents "lost data" as data that has been permanently destroyed, with no hope for recovery. In reality, findings reveal approximately 85 per cent of lost data can be retrieved. While data may be inaccessible to users, experts are able to recover it using the proper techniques and tools. Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of gigabytes of data have been lost simply because users were not aware of their options and gave up hope of recovery. Despite technological advances in the reliability of magnetic storage media, the incidence of data loss continues to rise. Data storage remains a fragile science, and data's susceptibility to damage from both natural and human sources remains high. 

Here are some data protection tips:

Have a "fire drill." Back up data and test restore capabilities on a regular basis. 

• Keep your computer in a dry, controlled environment. 
  
• Only entrust your data to someone who has the training to properly maintain/repair it. 
  
• Use diagnostic/repair utilities with caution. 
  
• Use anti-virus software and update it as frequently as possible. 
  
• Check all incoming diskettes for viruses. 
  
• Immediately turn off your computer if it begins making an unusual noise. Further operation may damage it beyond repair. 
  

If you have lost data or your drive fails, contact CBL Data Recovery . They are a leading provider of emergency computer data recovery services for clients experiencing data loss due to hardware failure, natural disaster or software corruption. With more than 10 years experience, CBL Data Recovery offers data recovery services throughout north america with its network of labs, offices and authorized partners.

The Costs Of A Data Loss Disaster

Computer data is the life's blood of the modern organization. Losing a little means discomfort and weakness. Losing too much is death. 

When a catastrophic failure hits a company's data, the costs begin mounting immediately. Employees who should be busy are idle while the work piles up. Products aren't shipped, payments aren't processed and salespeople dealing with customers are suddenly tongue-tied and stuck for answers. 

Those costs are relatively easy to quantify, once the company is back in business and managers are being called to account for their actions - just multiply down-time by hourly rates, and tally up how much money was paid out in interest on late payments, and calculate how many sales were lost. The real costs of data loss are sobering. When a company suffers a computer outage longer than 10 days, there is a fifty-per cent chance it will no longer exist in five years. Most that do survive never fully recover. 

Disaster strikes two out of 1,000 company data centers each year, according to one accounting firm with 43 per cent of those companies closing immediately, and another 29 per cent gone within two years. 

Like hack attacks and employee sabotage, reliable information about data disasters can be hard to collect. It is probably impossible to quantify the exact dollar costs of data loss. But the personal reality of data loss is much worse than many management personnel can imagine. We are no longer surprised to have clients tell us, "It doesn't matter what it costs, just get my data back." We hear it once a week. 

It gets worse. We have received media for recovery from an IT administrator one day only to learn the next day that the person had been terminated and someone else appointed in their place. The day after, when we called the company, we learned that the new person had been fired and replaced. 

While it is unusual for companies to tear themselves apart during a data loss crisis, an episode can erode an organization's self-confidence. The internal damage caused by even a minor data loss can reverberate throughout the company. Line departments, feeling betrayed by IT may never again rely on company-wide systems, even if they are an appropriate response to the disaster. The IT department may well insist on strategies that centralize information resources under its control, at the expense of innovation. 

Meanwhile, even the tightest security may not be able to prevent news of a data disaster spreading outside the organization. Customers, accustomed to just-in-time service and instant access to information, may find other vendors whom they perceive as more reliable. Financial organizations will look twice at any business that fails to protect its data so access to credit or capital may be cut off. 

Successful data recovery companies can literally bring their clients back to life, by stopping the bleeding, restoring order from chaos and getting people back to work. Most data can be recovered quickly, most of the time. But almost all data loss incidents can be prevented, through simple, manageable, measurable policies and procedures. 

The Human Side of Data Loss: The Reality Of A Hard Drive Crash

Data loss is an expensive reality. It's a hard fact that it happens more often then users like to admit. A recent study by the accounting firm McGladrey and Pullen estimates that one out of every 500 data centers will experience a severe computer disaster this year. As a result, almost half of those companies will go out of business. At the very least, a data loss disaster can mean lost income and missed business opportunities. 

The other side of data loss is the psychological and emotional turmoil it can cause to IT managers and business owners. Despair, panic, and the knowledge that the whole organization might be at risk are involved. In a sense, that's only fair, since human error is one of the two largest contributing factors in data loss. Together with mechanical failure, it accounts for almost 75 per cent of all incidents. (Software corruption, computer viruses and physical disasters such as fire and water damage make up the rest.) 

Disk drives today are typically reliable. Human beings, it turns out, are not. A Strategic Research Corp. study done in 2000 found that approximately 15 per cent of all unplanned downtime occurred due to human error. A significant proportion of that happened because users failed to implement adequate backup procedures, either having trouble with their backups, or having no backup at all. 

How does it happen that skilled, high-level users put their systems - and their businesses - at such risk? 

In many cases, the problem starts long before the precipitating system error is made, that is, when users place their faith in out-of-box solutions that may not, in fact, fit their organization's needs. Instead of assessing their business and technology requirements, then going to an appropriate engineered solution, even experienced IT professionals at large corporations will often simply buy what they're sold. In this case, faith in technology can be an vice instead of a virtue. 

But human intervention itself can sometimes be the straw that breaks the technology's back. When the office of a Venezuelan civil engineering firm was devastated by floods, its owners sent 17 soaked, mud-coated disks from three RAID arrays to us in plastic bags. A tough enough salvage job was made even more complex by the fact that someone had frozen the drives before shipping them. As the disks thawed, yet more damage was done. (After eight weeks of painstaking directory-by-directory recovery, all the data from the remaining fifteen disks was retrieved.) 

Sometimes, the underlying cause of a data loss event is simply shoddy housekeeping. The more arduous the required backup routine, the less likely it will be done on a regular basis. A state ambulance monitoring system suffered a serious disk failure, only to discover that its automated backup hadn't run for fourteen months. A tape had jammed in the drive, but no-one had noticed. 

When disaster strikes, the normal human reaction is panic. Because the loss of data signifies critical consequences, even the most competent IT staff can jump to conclusions, and take inappropriate action. A blank screen at a critical time can lead to a series of naive decisions, each one compounding the preceding error. Wrong buttons get pushed, and the disaster only gets worse. Sometimes the pressure to correct the system failure speedily can result in an attempt to reconfigure an entire RAID array. IT specialists are typically not equipped to deal with crisis modes or data recovery techniques. Just as a good physician is trained to prolong life, the skilled IT specialist is trained to keep the system running. When a patient dies, the physician turns to others, such as nurses or counselors to manage the situation. When significant data loss occurs, the IT specialist turns to the data recovery professional. 

Data recovery specialists are innovative problem solvers. Often, the application of basic common sense, when no-one else is in any condition to apply it, is the beginning of the journey towards data recovery. The data recovery specialist draws on a wealth of experience, married to a "never say die" attitude, and a comprehensive tool kit of problem-solving procedures. Successful recovery outcomes hinge on a combination of innovative logistics, applied problem-solving, and "technology triage," the process of stabilizing an affected system quickly, analyzing and treating its wounds, and preparing it for surgery. The triage process sets priorities, such as targeting which files are needed first or which are absolutely vital to the functioning of the business, and establishes whether files might be recovered in less structured formats (such as text-only), which may be desirable when time is crucial. 

The art and science of professional data recovery can spell the difference between a business' success or its failure. Before that level of intervention is required, though, users can take steps to ensure that the probability of a data loss disaster is minimized. 

Basic to any business technology plan is a regular fire-drill procedure. Back-up routines may be in place, staff may assigned to specific roles, hardware and software may be configured - but, if the user isn't completely sure that everything works the way it should, a data loss event is inevitable. Having adequate, tested, and current backups in place is critical. A hardware breakdown should not be compounded by human error - if the malfunctioning drive is critical, the task of dealing with it should go to a data recovery professional. 

Just as data loss disasters are rooted in a combination of mechanical failure and human error, so, too, the data recovery solution lies in a creative marriage of the technological and the human. The underlying philosophy of successful data recovery is that technology is something to be used by human beings, not something that uses us. 

The Science Behind Data Recovery

The computer data that seems solid and reliable when you see it on a monitor or hard copy printout really exists only as minute electrical impulses crammed tightly on tape, diskettes or hard drives. Depending on how it is stored, that data will continue to exist until the medium is destroyed, scrambled by a virus or overwritten by other information. In other words, some 'physical' event prevents you from accessing your data. Data recovery companies work to reverse that process, any way they can. 

There is no single method to retrieve data. In fact, it is extremely rare to apply a solution more than once. To avoid damage from repeated scanning, a skilled data recovery company will find a way to duplicate client data, even if it must be done bit by bit. 

Hard disk drives store data store data on metal oxide platters spinning as fast as 10,000 revolutions a minute while an actuator arm reads and writes magnetic charges one millionth of an inch above the surface. Even though any contact can and does destroy data, a great deal of information can still be harvested from physically damaged media. Because the manufacturers of storage media like hard drives are constantly striving to compress more data on to smaller surfaces, a data recovery specialist must have a 'clean room' to avoid dust or dirt causing more damage to the delicate magnetic media. 

Data recovery requires not only specialized equipment but people with advanced skills and the creativity to apply them in unique and demanding situations. 

The Status of Data Recovery - A Growing Need For Today's Businesses

For almost as long as people have been putting digital data on magnetic media, their precious information has been getting lost. In the good old days, perhaps 20 years ago, any company or institution that lost its data was on its own. Anyone with the expertise to help was probably already either on staff or employed by the equipment vendor. 

Things started to change with the growth and development of the Information Technology industry, on both the hardware and software sides. As systems multiplied and became more complex, so did the various misfortunes that could beset an organization's data. 

Enter the data recovery specialist. About 15 years ago, the first outside consultants began to get frantic calls from clients to come in and rescue their information. At that time, much of the expertise was based on proprietary software tools, written to perform on hardware from specific vendors. It took some years before companies began to specialize in data recovery. Because many data loss situations call for a 'physical', hardware solution, the larger companies made the major investments necessary to offer 'clean rooms' - laboratories where malfunctioning or damaged disk drives can be disassembled or reconfigured to yield whatever data remains. 

Today, the industry is crisis-driven. Depending on how well sprinkler systems or disk drive designers have done their jobs, we work or rest idle. 

All the tools and techniques that any data recovery company has amassed over time have developed or acquired on an 'as-needed' basis. The range of possible challenges is so broad, and the IT industry releases new products so frequently, that it would be impossible to anticipate problems before they actually occur. 

Perhaps a testament to the efficiency and reliability of the latest hardware and software today, the data recovery industry is not a large one. Worldwide, there are probably 20 companies with the staff and the facilities to tackle those data-loss situations that simply cannot be resolved in-house with commercially available software or with assistance from vendors. 

We have seen some companies in the data recovery field to move away from the 'physical' side of the business, specializing in software-only solutions rather than grappling hands-on with the disk drives and magnetic media to recover data. On the other hand, companies cannot specialize completely in the hardware side, because there will always be a need to adapt or write software to help harvest the data. 

What about the future of the industry? Ironically, in a world that is becoming increasingly globalized, we think the successful data recovery business will have an important local dimension. Even though we can, and do reach around the world electronically to recover data, we believe customers will still place a premium on dealing with someone in their own region. 

With almost 200 million disk drives shipping this year, and the risks they face out in the real world, we can confidently predict that the future holds unlimited challenge for the data recovery industry. 

Hard Drives: The Memories Of The Computer Anatomy

Hard drives are the memories of our computers. They store documents, data, voice recordings and even entire movies. Because hard drives are so spacious and efficient these days, we can start to believe that they offer permanent and secure storage for our data. Unfortunately, that is not the case. 

For such hard-working devices, hard drives can be remarkably fragile. They store data on stacks of rotating metallic platters. Magnetic heads 'float' between the platters, moving information back and forth without making physical contact. The information that looks so real on a monitor is, in fact, delicate electrical impulses on a metal plate. 

Once people in an organization know how hard drives work, they understand how easy it is for data to be lost. As hard drives become smaller, so does their 'tolerance', the distance between the platter and the heads that read and write data. Bumping into a computer while the hard drive is running can make the head actually touch the platter and literally 'rub out' the data there. Contamination, like dust or moisture, or a slight change in power can also cause damaging head contact. 

That's why it is absolutely vital to switch off the hard drive at the first sign of any unusual noise, like grinding, scraping or chattering. If nothing's wrong, nothing has been lost. But if there is physical damage taking place inside the drive, prompt action can keep it to an absolute minimum and more data will be available for recovery. 

Data Recovery: Today's Hard Disk Drive & Computer Repair Shop

Every manager knows that protecting computer data is important, but how many can be completely confident that their backup systems will work when needed? 

At CBL Data Recovery, we see some of the most extreme examples of data loss. In recent years, our assignments have ranged from recovering the entire welfare system of a European country to a UFO enthusiast's tape cartridges, from a rural school board that thought it lost pupils' marks to an international freight company's $700 million billing records. Our work spans an incredible range of challenges. Fortunately, many of them are avoidable. 

HOW DATA GETS LOST 

The two largest contributing factors in data loss are hardware or system malfunctions and human error. Together, they account for almost 75 per cent of all incidents. Software corruption, computer viruses and 'physical' disasters like fire and water damage make up the rest. 

There are three major trends in data loss today, representing industry-wide shifts in technology and market behavior. 

First, because we are storing more data in smaller spaces, the impact of a data loss incident is magnified. Ironically, the very same technological advances that allow us to do 'more with less' contributes directly to the increasing severity of data loss. 

The media that stores data is fragile, whether it is tape, diskette or hard drive. Even 'hard' surfaces like CDs can be physically damaged. The mechanical components in a hard drive must work with greater precision. The distance between the read/write head and the platter where data is stored is steadily decreasing. Today, that distance is 1-2 microinches (one millionth of an inch). A speck of dust is 4-8 microinches and a human hair 10 microinches. Even a slight nudge, a power surge or a contaminant introduced into the drive may cause the head to touch the platter and cause a head crash. Data in the contact area may be permanently destroyed. 

Second, data is more mission-critical. Users are storing greater amounts of critical personal and commercial data like bank accounts, hospital patient records and tax records on their desktops and networks. 

By definition, loss of mission-critical data brings major business processes to a halt. In the worst case, that can mean bankruptcy. 

Finally, most of the backup technology and practices are failing to protect data adequately. Most computer users rely on backups and redundant storage technologies, and for many users, this is a successful backup strategy. Others are not so lucky. 

HOW DATA IS RECOVERED 

Data recovery is more than pulling strings of bits from mangled disk drives or tangled file systems. There are large elements of problem solving and crisis management. Clients bring a diverse and vast array of technology problems to data recovery companies, looking for cost effective and, above all, timely solutions. How corporations and individual people respond to a data crisis is often a revealing look at how they conduct their day-to-day business. Typically, the ones that confront a challenge directly are the most successful. 

First of all, users and managers must recognize that any loss of data is an immediate and urgent problem. It may not be confined to one system or network and its impacts could reach beyond a single branch or department. For example, an entire organization may have purchased machines that all have faulty hard drives or installed corrupted software. 

Denial is dangerous and costly. Escalate the situation promptly. By far the majority of situations are successfully handled in-house. The customer should only 'surrender' immediately and call for outside assistance when there is a 'new' noise coming from the hard drive or when the data is so valuable as to be priceless. In most cases, working through a planned recovery checklist will bring back the data. If it does not return when reasonable measures have been tried, then the organization has to accept that the data is really not coming back. At this point, decisive action can literally mean corporate survival. 

Data recovery is the last resort when everything else, including commercial software, fails. When customers need data recovery, they need it fast. In three cases out of four, we can recover all the data within 24 hours or receiving the media, so reducing the time in transit is important. Over the years, Michigan Data Recovery has become adept at the logistics of getting clients' drives and media into our laboratories from anywhere in the world. The Internet may be creating a world without borders but the word has not reached the world's major airports. As well, technicians have often become skilled at finding the parts necessary to rebuild rare or obsolete equipment. 

Data recovery typically occurs in an emotional climate of great distress. Personally and professionally, a great deal is riding on a successful outcome. Dealing with a client's psychological state, as individuals and organizations, is a large part of a successful data recovery project. While a project may literally call on the talents of every member of a team, clients should only deal with one person, to facilitate the creation of a bond. That relationship is designed to be an immediate and continuing comfort to the client, but it also ensures that there is clear communication, built on shared experience and a common vocabulary. 

Clients are almost invariably reassured to learn that while some damage to data is permanent, it is rare case that absolutely no data all is retrieved. In most cases, some of the data can be recovered, even in extreme conditions. 

Data recovery companies should provide a report within one business day after receiving damaged media, outlining how it plans to perform the data recovery. Some projects may require several days, or even weeks, but about 75 per cent of all assignments should be turned around in less than 48 hours. 

Close communication and understanding can be critical in those unfortunate situations where choices have to be made about the data. Which files do you need first? Which ones are you willing to sacrifice? Do you want the data in text format now or would you prefer to wait to see it we can recover it in the original format? 

There are no manuals for data recovery. There is no one set way to retrieve data. Each project should be analyzed on an individual basis and only then an action plan be developed. 

It is best never to work on original media. Data should be duplicated bit by bit to reduce the risk of causing further damage to the data. 

SUCCESSFUL DATA RECOVERY OUTCOMES 

For most projects, success comes from a combination of innovative logistics, applied problem solving and what can be called 'technology triage', where answers are looked for from within the issues. 

Projects always pick up where others have left off. As the 'repair shop of last resort', data recovery experts do nothing but provide solutions. 

Our business is all about restoring order in chaotic circumstances. We force rebellious technology to fulfill its promise to our clients by making everything right again. And it is kind of fun to do the impossible. 

Before You Pull Your Hair Out, Call A Data Recovery Company

What happens when you are working on a special document or project on the computer and your screen goes blank! Panic? No - get help! 

The good news about a crash is that most data, in most situations, can be recovered. Some projects may require several days, or even weeks, but about 75 per cent of all assignments can be turned around in less than 48 hours and the average data recovery success rate is 85 per cent. 

The bad news is that organizations can sometimes make matters worse by delaying their response in a crisis situation, or taking action that makes their data harder, or in a bad case, impossible to retrieve. 

Sometimes people fail to recognize that any loss of data is an immediate and urgent problem. What if the hard drives on all the new computers start to fail or all the new software is corrupt? 

But denial can carry a much higher price than inconvenience. The McGladrey and Pullen accounting firm says 43 per cent of those companies that experience a disaster in their data center never reopen and 29 per cent close within two years. The company estimates that this year, one out of every 500 data centers will have a severe disaster. 

Together, hardware or system malfunctions and human error account for three out of four outage incidents. The rest are due to software corruption, computer viruses and 'physical' disasters like fire and water damage. 

Background On Backups 

There would be less work for data recovery companies if existing backup technology and practices protected data adequately. Backups and redundant storage technologies can be a successful backup strategy for many companies. But unfortunately, of those who do back up their data, they could not restore the data from backups. 

There is a long chain of assumptions in a backup procedure: the hardware is working properly; users know how to perform the backup; the backup software works; the media is actually capturing the data; and, the data being backed up is the right information. Any break in the chain creates a dangerous vulnerability. 

When systems do break down, clients can turn to a data recovery solution. One of the most important tasks is creating a climate of trust. By the time we are called in, the seriousness of the situation can no longer be denied and relieving the psychological pressure is crucial. In some situations, the client has to make some choices. 'Which data do you need first? Are you willing to sacrifice some data, or receive it a different file format from the original?' 

Environmental Controls 

Companies can reduce the risk by controlling three environments. 

In the hardware environment, the organization should keep computers in clean, temperature-controlled, low-traffic areas to reduce accidents and equipment failures. Computers must be protected from power surges and backups stored in a safe, off-site location. Today's magnetic storage media is becoming more vulnerable to Extraneous Static Discharge (ESD) damage so protect your system from static. 

Check hard drives at least once a month, with software that alerts you to any problems. "New" noises like scraping and grinding noises are a signal to shut down the system immediately and call in an expert. They can mean serious damage. Running the drive could not only destroy it but all the data as well. Never use a hard drive or storage device that has been physically damaged in any way, or exposed to a harmful environment. 

Control the software environment with regular, verified backups to make sure the right data is actually being stored. Scan for viruses with software updated at least four times a year and screen all incoming data. Always create "undo" disks when new software offers that choice, so you can reverse any changes. In the case of suspected electrical or mechanical drive failure, never use file recovery software, because it can make things worse. 

Most importantly, create a human environment that creates awareness and responsibility. If data is critical to the success or even survival of your organization, make sure those directly responsible have the right tools and training, and make sure all your employees how important the data protection procedures and policies are to the business. They will be motivated to follow them. 

Finally, when disaster does strike, recognize it, be decisive and get help quickly. The faster a data recovery service gets the assignment, the better you chances of getting back in business quickly. 

Boss We Have A Problem - Handling A Data Loss Disaster

When the telephones are ringing off the hook, the angry faxes keep stacking up and worst of all, upset customers start going somewhere else, management has to face facts. The data is missing and it isn't coming back. It's time to get expert help. When literally everything else has failed to put essential data back on the screen, specialist companies get involved. 

In the data recovery business, there is often little difference between 'good' and 'fast'. Whether it is medical records or accounts receivable, if personnel cannot look up critical data, a business or institution can come to a sudden halt. The statistics about the damage that data loss does to a business are frightening. And the longer the data is gone, the worse the damage gets. That's why managers should recognize and evaluate data loss situations quickly and accurately. In three cases out of four, data can be recovered. 

Sometimes calling a data recovery specialist is the obvious decision, as when smoke or water has damaged the media, or the hard drive has sustained a power surge or physical shock. But sometimes the mechanical symptoms are less apparent, or faulty software or viruses have caused the damage. Tweaking the hardware or running the same commercial software recovery program over and over simply wastes valuable time. 

Whatever the source of the damage, qualified professionals can either recover the data or notify management that it is time to start rebuilding the data from scratch. Either way, people can get back to work. 

Choosing The Right Data Recovery Company

The key to choosing a data recovery company is to actually leave yourself time to make a choice. That means early recognition that a data recovery problem is beyond your immediate control. Be wary of claims that seem to be outside the limits of reality, because you could be vulnerable to a pitch just when your system is down and you need the help right away. Make sure you find a company that has clean room support. If they have the sterilized facilities to work directly on damaged media, then they will have the capability to do all the physical procedures necessary to recover data. 

A high price is not always an indication that you're dealing with a high-end company. In fact, it has happened that intermediate-level companies will take advantage of a serious data incident to ask for and receive premium prices. A good company should also be 'operating system agnostic'. In other words, they can work on any kind of software. If they specialize in Windows, for example, it is because they bought the whole suite of Windows recovery applications and mastered them. 

At CBL Data Recovery, we have done enough long-distance work to know that being within the same area code and time zone makes life easier for everyone. Even though this is a 24 x 7 business, physical proximity makes for faster logistics and better communications. The Internet may have eliminated time and distance in some business processes but in data recovery, being there is still better. 

There are still many areas that fail to provide full service laboratories in the United States and Canada. Make sure that if you are shipping your media via courier that the company you are dealing with has both a clean room, as well as an actual full service laboratory. Many companies are simply single individuals with websites working out of their basements testing out software. You do not want your important business information to be in the hands of an amateur. 

Again, make sure you do your research prior to sending your media anywhere. It's not worth the risk. 

Before You Need Data Recovery - Virus Protection Key To Healthy Computing

Computer viruses are proving to be highly complex but preventing viruses from infecting your computer systems is simple. Use two well-known brands of anti-virus software and keep them as current as possible. 

Beyond that, there are some simple, common sense procedures that everyone should use, whether at work or in the home computing environment. Never open a file whose origins are unknown. In a simpler day, that wisdom only applied to executable files, or files that did something. They have the suffixes .exe, .com and .bat and each can start a program on your computer. These viruses spread through games downloaded from the Internet, on borrowed diskettes and through the old 'bulletin board' services. 

Today, unfortunately, a whole new wave of viruses has been unleashed on unsuspecting computer users because software manufacturers introduced feature-rich new programs without considering how vulnerable they are to viruses. Now, almost any document and many email messages can carry and spread 'macro' viruses at lightning speed. That's why it is so important never to open messages or documents from unknown sources. Viruses can delete data, change file names or even damage the physical media the data where the data is stored. 

How important is virus protection? If your data is critical to your business operations, there is nothing more important. Even though about 75 per cent of all data loss incidents are caused by human error or system malfunctions, a virus attack can still cripple your data center. A combination of regular, verified backups and constantly updated virus protection are absolutely essential to protect your data - and your organization. 

Backing Up Your Data - The Key To Safe Computing

Here's a data loss-prevention exercise that any organization can run immediately at little or no cost except, perhaps, to some egos. Simply ask for some critical data to be restored from backup. Accept no excuses. If the exercise is successful, great. But the chances are very good that it won't be. In fact, there are long-time IT consultants who have often asked but never seen data successfully restored from backup. 

Organizations underestimate the length and fragility of the backup chain. First off, the data has to exist in a form that can be backed up. The backup hardware and software must be functioning correctly, and the media must actually capture the information. Somebody must cause the backup to be performed and the backed-up data must be, ideally, properly documented and moved to an off-site location. Finally, the data must be restored in a timely manner, so everybody can get back to work. 

The list of things that can go wrong in that chain of events is almost endless. Ironically, the biggest enemy of regular, properly executed backups is the reliability and efficiency of today's IT systems. That dependability means that restoring data from backup is rarely necessary. Unfortunately, systems that are seldom used tend to fall into decay and that is where the danger lies. 

So, if nobody takes excuses from you, you can't accept excuses from anybody else. If you have the responsibility for keeping systems up, running and productive, plain, old-fashioned fire drills are the only answer. 

Top 10 Data Recovery Bloopers

Truth, as the saying goes, is stranger than fiction. The following horror stories are true. The identities of those involved have been omitted, because what happened to them could happen to anyone. 

1) It's the Simple Things That Matter

The client, a successful business organization, purchased a "killer" UNIX network system, and put 300+ workers in place to manage it. Backups were done daily. Unfortunately, no one thought to put in place a system to restore the data to. 

2) In a Crisis, People Do Silly Things

The prime server in a large urban hospital's system crashed. When minor errors started occurring, system operators, instead of gathering data about the errors, tried anything and everything, including repeatedly invoking a controller function which erased the entire RAID array data. 

3) When the Crisis Deepens, People Do Sillier Things

When the office of a civil engineering firm was devastated by floods, its owners sent 17 soaked disks from three RAID arrays to a data recovery lab in plastic bags. For some reason, someone had frozen the bags before shipping them. As the disks thawed, even more damage was done. 

4) Buy Cheap, Pay Dearly

The organization bought an IBM system - but not from IBM. Then the system manager decided to configure the system uniquely, rather than following set procedures. When things went wrong with the system, it was next to impossible to recreate the configuration. 

5) An Almost Perfect Plan

The company purchased and configured a high-end, expensive, and full-featured library for the company's system backups. Unfortunately, the backup library was placed right beside the primary system. When the primary system got fried, so too did the backup library. 

6) The Truth, and Nothing But the Truth

After a data loss crisis, the company CEO and the IT staffer met with the data recovery team. No progress was made until the CEO was persuaded to leave the room. Then the IT staffer opened up, and solutions were developed. 

7) Lights Are On, But No One's Home

A regional-wide ambulance monitoring system suffered a serious disk failure, only to discover that its automated backup hadn't run for fourteen months. A tape had jammed in the drive, but no one had noticed. 

8) When Worlds Collide

The company's high-level IT executives purchased a "Cadillac" system, without knowing much about it. System implementation was left to a young and inexperienced IT team. When the crisis came, neither group could talk to the other about the system 

9) Hit Restore and All Will Be Well

After September's WTC attacks, the company's IT staff went across town to their backup system. They invoked Restore, and proceed to overwrite from the destroyed main system. Of course, all previous backups were lost. 

10) People Are the Problem, Not Technology

Disk drives today are typically reliable - human beings aren't. A recent study found that approximately 15 percent of all unplanned downtime occurs because of human error. 

RecoveryFIX for Windows

RecoveryFIX for Windows - Data Recovery Software - Recover Deleted Files

Chily Softech's RecoveryFIX for Windows gives you more than the simple file recovery software. It works when other Software fail to retrieve the lost and inaccessible data.

RecoveryFIX for Windows data recovery software is an effective tool to recover deleted files, files deleted from the recycle bin or deleted permanently using the Shift + Delete keys. Our windows data recovery software tool efficiently recovers data from the corrupt windows partitions based on FAT and NTFS operating systems, and even from the reformatted partitions. Data from the damaged, formatted, deleted or corrupt partitions of Windows 95, 98, ME, XP, 2000, 2003 is successfully recovered by the windows data recovery software and supports data recovery from FAT16, FAT32, NTFS and NTFS5 file systems.

RecoveryFIX for Windows data recovery software completely scans the corrupt hard drive and efficiently retrieves back the lost and inaccessible data. The recovered data is displayed in windows explorer like view which allows easy copying of the recovered files to a working disk. The windows data recovery software enables you to scan your damaged disk through three types of scan: "Quick Scan", "Extensive Scan" and "File Trace " .

Quick Scan of FAT & NTFS recovery software being the fast and quick recovery option, recovers the recently deleted files and deleted-corrupt partitions of windows whereasExtensive Scan easily recovers lost data of the formatted drives. This scan method is much advanced than the 'Standard Scan' option. Data and old deleted files from the formatted drives, reloaded OS after reformatting of the hard drive are successfully recovered with the help of Advance Scan option.

The Quick scan does not recovers data from the formatted drives which becomes major difference between the Standard Scan and Extensive Scan options. Extensive Scan takes more time to recover data as compared to Standard Scan but successfully recovers every trace of data from the damaged hard drive.

The major reasons due to which the FAT & NTFS Windows operating system gets corrupt are damaged-deleted partitions, improper system shutdowns, damage due to voltage fluctuations, power failures, software faults, Windows registry corruption, virus attacks and accidental deletion of partitions and formatting of the disk.

Data Recovery Software Tools

Data Recovery basically means the process of acquiring back usable data from the damaged, corrupt media or storage device. The loss of important data can cause fall down of businesses, leaving you and your company in the most evil situation to face.

Chily Softech, the technologically advanced data recovery software company helps you to recover your lost data from the inaccessible, downed, damaged or corrupted media and storage device(s) with the help of RecoveryFIXTM data recovery software range. Our experienced data recovery engineers have the expertise, knowledge and have developed the newest and result-oriented data recovery software and disk recovery software tools to recover lost data from the inaccessible drives, storage media(s) and from the most critical situations when the hope of getting back lost data gets lessened.

The most common causes for data loss are due to virus attacks, human errors, software / hardware failures, technical problems and many more which results in confidential data loss, business data loss, project delays, loss of personal collections like music, photographs, files etc.

RecoveryFIXTM data recovery Software range includes tools for email recovery, backup recovery and Office file recovery software. you can buy online our best selling RecoveryFIXTM range of data recovery software tools. RecoveryFIXTM hard drive recovery software are cost effective and result oriented data recovery software.

DiskExplorer for Linux V1.41

Windows based Disk Editor for Windows and Linux File Systems

Runtime's DiskExplorer for NTFS
Windows based Disk Editor for NTFS file systems

This sophisticated disk editor enables you to investigate your NTFS drive and conduct your own data recovery, using the following features:

• navigate through your NTFS drive by jumping to the partition table, boot record, Master file table or the root directory
• choose between views such as hex, text, index allocation, MFT, boot record, partition table
• inspect the file entry details, NT attributes etc.
• search your drive for text, partition tables, boot records, MFT entries, index buffers
• view files
• save files or whole directories from anywhere on the drive
• identify the file a certain cluster belongs to
• create a virtual volume when the boot record is lost or corrupt
• edit your drive by using the direct read/write mode (not recommended) or the virtual write mode
• conduct your own data recovery by taking advantage of all these features
• Runtime's DiskExplorer for FAT
• Windows based Disk Editor for NTFS file systems
• This powerful disk editor enables you to:
• navigate through your drive by using browser-style back and forth arrows, by going directly to the partition table, boot record, FAT or root directory, by jumping to a certain sector etc.
• switch between several views, such as hex, text, directory, FAT, partition table and boot record view
• search your drive for text, boot records, partition tables and sub directories
• investigate the volume' s boot record by looking at the volume information
• edit your drive by using the direct read/write mode (not recommended) or the virtual write mode
• view and recover even deleted files
• create a virtual volume when your boot record is lost or corrupted
• conduct your own data recovery by taking advantage of all these features.

Runtime's DiskExplorer for Linux
Windows based Disk Editor for EXTFS2 & EXTFS3
This is the newest addition to our successful line of disk editors. Have an fresh new look at your Linux EXTFS2 or EXTFS3 file system:

• navigate through your drive by using browser-style back and forth arrows, by going directly to the partition table, superblock, inodes, groups etc.
• switch between several views, such as hex, text, directory, partition table, superblock, inode and group description view
• search your drive for text, superblocks and partition tables
• edit your drive by using the direct read/write mode (not recommended) or the virtual write mode
• view and recover files
• create a virtual volume when your superblock is lost or corrupted
• conduct your own data recovery by taking advantage of all these features.

Runtime's DiskExplorers run from a WinPE boot CD-ROM.

DiskExplorer for NTFS V3.41

Windows based Disk Editor for Windows and Linux File Systems

Runtime's DiskExplorer for NTFS
Windows based Disk Editor for NTFS file systems

This sophisticated disk editor enables you to investigate your NTFS drive and conduct your own data recovery, using the following features:
navigate through your NTFS drive by jumping to the partition table, boot record, Master file table or the root directory
choose between views such as hex, text, index allocation, MFT, boot record, partition table
inspect the file entry details, NT attributes etc.
search your drive for text, partition tables, boot records, MFT entries, index buffers
view files
save files or whole directories from anywhere on the drive
identify the file a certain cluster belongs to
create a virtual volume when the boot record is lost or corrupt
edit your drive by using the direct read/write mode (not recommended) or the virtual write mode
conduct your own data recovery by taking advantage of all these features
Runtime's DiskExplorer for FAT
Windows based Disk Editor for NTFS file systems

This powerful disk editor enables you to:
navigate through your drive by using browser-style back and forth arrows, by going directly to the partition table, boot record, FAT or root directory, by jumping to a certain sector etc.
switch between several views, such as hex, text, directory, FAT, partition table and boot record view
search your drive for text, boot records, partition tables and sub directories
investigate the volume' s boot record by looking at the volume information
edit your drive by using the direct read/write mode (not recommended) or the virtual write mode
view and recover even deleted files
create a virtual volume when your boot record is lost or corrupted
conduct your own data recovery by taking advantage of all these features.
Runtime's DiskExplorer for Linux
Windows based Disk Editor for EXTFS2 & EXTFS3

This is the newest addition to our successful line of disk editors. Have an fresh new look at your Linux EXTFS2 or EXTFS3 file system:
navigate through your drive by using browser-style back and forth arrows, by going directly to the partition table, superblock, inodes, groups etc.
switch between several views, such as hex, text, directory, partition table, superblock, inode and group description view
search your drive for text, superblocks and partition tables
edit your drive by using the direct read/write mode (not recommended) or the virtual write mode
view and recover files
create a virtual volume when your superblock is lost or corrupted
conduct your own data recovery by taking advantage of all these features.

Runtime's DiskExplorers run from a WinPE boot CD-ROM.

DiskExplorer for FAT V3.41

indows based Disk Editor for Windows and Linux File Systems

Runtime's DiskExplorer for NTFS
Windows based Disk Editor for NTFS file systems

This sophisticated disk editor enables you to investigate your NTFS drive and conduct your own data recovery, using the following features:
navigate through your NTFS drive by jumping to the partition table, boot record, Master file table or the root directory
choose between views such as hex, text, index allocation, MFT, boot record, partition table
inspect the file entry details, NT attributes etc.
search your drive for text, partition tables, boot records, MFT entries, index buffers
view files
save files or whole directories from anywhere on the drive
identify the file a certain cluster belongs to
create a virtual volume when the boot record is lost or corrupt
edit your drive by using the direct read/write mode (not recommended) or the virtual write mode
conduct your own data recovery by taking advantage of all these features
Runtime's DiskExplorer for FAT
Windows based Disk Editor for NTFS file systems

This powerful disk editor enables you to:
navigate through your drive by using browser-style back and forth arrows, by going directly to the partition table, boot record, FAT or root directory, by jumping to a certain sector etc.
switch between several views, such as hex, text, directory, FAT, partition table and boot record view
search your drive for text, boot records, partition tables and sub directories
investigate the volume' s boot record by looking at the volume information
edit your drive by using the direct read/write mode (not recommended) or the virtual write mode
view and recover even deleted files
create a virtual volume when your boot record is lost or corrupted
conduct your own data recovery by taking advantage of all these features.
Runtime's DiskExplorer for Linux
Windows based Disk Editor for EXTFS2 & EXTFS3

This is the newest addition to our successful line of disk editors. Have an fresh new look at your Linux EXTFS2 or EXTFS3 file system:
navigate through your drive by using browser-style back and forth arrows, by going directly to the partition table, superblock, inodes, groups etc.
switch between several views, such as hex, text, directory, partition table, superblock, inode and group description view
search your drive for text, superblocks and partition tables
edit your drive by using the direct read/write mode (not recommended) or the virtual write mode
view and recover files
create a virtual volume when your superblock is lost or corrupted
conduct your own data recovery by taking advantage of all these features.

Runtime's DiskExplorers run from a WinPE boot CD-ROM.

DriveImage XML V2.02

Image and Backup logical Drives and Partitions

DriveImage XML is an easy to use and reliable program for imaging and backing up partitions and logical drives.

The program allows you to:
Backup logical drives and partitions to image files
Browse these images, view and extract files
Restore these images to the same or a different drive
Copy directly from drive to drive
Schedule automatic backups with your Task Scheduler

Image creation uses Microsoft's Volume Shadow Services (VSS), allowing you to create safe "hot images" even from drives currently in use.

Images are stored in XML files, allowing you to process them with 3rd party tools. Never again be stuck with a useless backup!

Restore images to drives without having to reboot.

DriveImage XML is now faster than ever, offering two different compression levels.

DriveImage XML runs under Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista only. The program will backup, image and restore drives formatted with FAT 12, 16, 32 and NTFS.

Two versions of DriveImage XML are available:

Private Edition: Private home users are allowed to use the Private Edition of DriveImage XML without charge. You are allowed to install DriveImage XML on your home PC. You must not use DriveImage XML commercially. No support is provided for the Private Edition.

Commercial Edition: If you are a business or organization or use DriveImage XML commercially, you need to purchase the Commercial Edition. The Commercial Edition is available with 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100-user licenses. The first screen of the Commercial Edition can be customized to show your name, address, support numbers, etc. The buyer of the Commercial Edition is allowed to install the denominated number of copies of DriveImage XML on computers in its own organization or on customer's computers. Support is provided to the buyer of the Commercial Edition for the period of one year and for the number of support incidences specified at the time of purchase. You are entitled to free updates for one year from the time of purchase. Buy the Commercial Edition...

If you have question regarding the use of DriveImage XML please refer to the program's help file and documentation.

Please refer to the program's FAQ to see if your questions are already answered.
You can run DriveImage XML from a WinPE boot CD-ROM.

RAID Reconstructor V3.41

Recover Data from a broken RAID Level 5 or 0 Array

Runtime's RAID Reconstructor will help you recover data from broken
RAID Level 5 Array consisting of 3 to 14 drives
RAID Level 0 Array (Striping) consisting of 2 to 14 drives

Even if you do not know the RAID parameters, such as drive order, block size and direction of rotation, RAID Reconstructor will analyze your drives and determine the correct values. You will then be able to create a copy of the reconstructed RAID in a virtual image (.vim), an image file (.img) or on a physical drive.

Once you created an image you can either mount it with Captain Nemo or use it for further data recovery processing with Runtime's GetDataBack. If you create the image on another physical drive, you can process it with Captain Nemo or GetDataBack too or you might even be able to directly boot from it.

Watch these screenshots on how you recover your files using RAID Reconstructor together with Captain Nemo.
RAID Reconstructor is read-only

It will not try to "fix" your RAID. It will merely create a copy of your RAID at another location. It will collect sector by sector from each single drive involved and write these sectors in the correct order to the designated destination. This process is also called "de-striping".

Because one drive is redundant in RAID 5, it is sufficient to have one less than the original number of drives (N) in the array. RAID Reconstructor can recalculate the original data from the N-1 drives. For a RAID-0 (striped) array you will need all drives.

The RAID Reconstructor will recover both, hardware and software RAIDs. It will recover from broken Windows Dynamic Disk sets.
Let us find the correct RAID parameters for you!

A RaidProbe can be taken if you do not find your RAID's correct parameters. Take advantage of our experience. If your RAID is recoverable, we will find the parameters!

Here is how it works: RAID Reconstructor will create a probe of your RAID drives which you would send to us by FTP or upload to our server. We will analyze this probe and attempt to find the parameters for you. You would then enter these parameters into RAID Reconstructor and continue your recovery. Please contact us at support@runtime.org if you have further questions. This is a manual service which we charge $299 for. You will only be charged if we find the parameters. To initiate a RaidProbe now, go to our order page and select the "RaidProbe" service.

Note: RaidProbe is currently available for NTFS and EXTFS2/EXTFS3 formatted systems.

You can run RAID Reconstructor from a WinPE boot CD-ROM.

Take advantage of the scripting feature in RAID Reconstructor.

Based on the PASCAL programming language, scripts allow you to access your drives and process them with all the elements available in a higher programming language. For more information please refer to the build-in help file in the software.

Learn more about using RAID Reconstructor. Watch our YouTube tutorials:
Raid Reconstructor
Scanning an Image With GetDataBack

Read our Blog article about Running RAID Reconstructor.

Read RAID Reconstructor's documentation. It also contains 5 case studies.

Watch these screenshots on how you recover your files using RAID Reconstructor together with Captain Nemo.

GetDataBack - Data Recovery for FAT V3.64

GetDataBack is more than an undelete or file recovery program or a system restore:
Whatever happened to your drive-

GetDataBack will recover your data if the hard drive's partition table, boot record, FAT/MFT or root directory are lost or damaged, data was lost due to a virus attack, the drive was formatted, fdisk has been run, a power failure has caused a system crash, files were lost due to a software failure, files were accidentally deleted...

Recover even when Windows doesn't recognize the drive-

GetDataBack can even recover your data when the drive is no longer recognized by Windows. It can likewise be used even if all directory information - not just the root directory- is missing.

Get everything back-

Advanced algorithms will make sure that all directories and sub directories are put together as they were, and that long file names are reconstructed correctly.

GetDataBack is safe-

GetDataBack is read-only, meaning the program will never attempt to write to the drive you are about to recover. Please make sure to read the safety instructions...

GetDataBack is easy to use-

The software enables the regular user to conduct his own data recovery by guiding him through three easy to understand steps, thus gives the advanced user the possibility to interfere with the recovery and improve the results, by examining the scan log, the file system details, file and directory information, by selecting the sector range to be scanned, by choosing excessive search for file systems or search for lost files, by calling Runtime's DiskExplorer.

GetDataBack is FREE to try-

Download the trial version and recover your files. You can preview your data to be sure it actually works. If you like the results you do not need run the program again. Purchase the license key and enter it into the open program. Than copy everything you need.

Free updates-

GetDataBack comes with free updates for the lifetime of the software. Other than with competitors who require you to buy a new version every year, our first GetDataBack customers from 2001 are still enjoying the newest versions of our software.

Run GetDataBack from a BartPE boot CD-ROM-

Recover data from a system drive without having to install a complete Windows operating system. Boot from a CD-ROM and run the data recovery entirely from there using the RAM for dynamic data. Copy the recovered data to another hard drive or - if you have network access enabled - to a network destination. Click here for further instructions...

Recover files over your local network or over a serial cable-

This feature enables you to run GetDataBack on one computer ("remote") while accessing the drives of another computer ("host").

Recovering data over a network is useful, especially when you are not able to remove the drive you want to recover from and attach it to another computer.

Just download HDHost and install it on the computer you want to recover data from. Click here for further instructions...

Please note: Installing HDHost or any other programs on the drive you want to recover from, can cause data on that drive to be overwritten.

If at all possible, we always recommend to attach the drive as a second drive to a working computer and run the data recovery software from there.


Quick scan feature in GetDataBack for NTFS: complete a recovery in minutes instead of hours.

Step by Step Guide: Doing a Data Recovery with GetDataBack

You can run GetDataBack from a WinPE boot CD-ROM.

GetDataBack now supports Unicode.

Now you can recover files whose names are encoded in non-standard character sets. This includes all Unicode character sets, such as Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Greek... We recommend to perform the data recovery on an NT/XP computer because Win9x/ME does not fully support Unicode.

GetDataBack recovers from

• Hard drives (IDE, SCSI, SATA)
• USB drives
• Firewire drives
• Partitions
• Dynamic Disks
• Floppy drives
• Drive images
• Zip/Jaz drive
• Compact Flash Cards
• Smart Media Cards
• Secure Digital Cards
• USB Flash Drive
• iPod Disks

GetDataBack comes in two versions:

Note: We recommend that you download the demo version of GetDataBack first to see if your files are recoverable. The demo version allows you to perform the data recovery and to see and verify your recovered files.

A license key is then required to actually save these files. Once you have a license key for the software, you don't have to run the program again, just enter the license key in the demo version to enable the copy function

GetDataBack - Data Recovery for NTFS V3.64

GetDataBack is more than an undelete or file recovery program or a system restore:
Whatever happened to your drive-

GetDataBack will recover your data if the hard drive's partition table, boot record, FAT/MFT or root directory are lost or damaged, data was lost due to a virus attack, the drive was formatted, fdisk has been run, a power failure has caused a system crash, files were lost due to a software failure, files were accidentally deleted...

Recover even when Windows doesn't recognize the drive-

GetDataBack can even recover your data when the drive is no longer recognized by Windows. It can likewise be used even if all directory information - not just the root directory- is missing.

Get everything back-

Advanced algorithms will make sure that all directories and sub directories are put together as they were, and that long file names are reconstructed correctly.

GetDataBack is safe-

GetDataBack is read-only, meaning the program will never attempt to write to the drive you are about to recover. Please make sure to read the safety instructions...

GetDataBack is easy to use-

The software enables the regular user to conduct his own data recovery by guiding him through three easy to understand steps, thus gives the advanced user the possibility to interfere with the recovery and improve the results, by examining the scan log, the file system details, file and directory information, by selecting the sector range to be scanned, by choosing excessive search for file systems or search for lost files, by calling Runtime's DiskExplorer.

GetDataBack is FREE to try-

Download the trial version and recover your files. You can preview your data to be sure it actually works. If you like the results you do not need run the program again. Purchase the license key and enter it into the open program. Than copy everything you need.

Free updates-

GetDataBack comes with free updates for the lifetime of the software. Other than with competitors who require you to buy a new version every year, our first GetDataBack customers from 2001 are still enjoying the newest versions of our software.

Run GetDataBack from a BartPE boot CD-ROM-

Recover data from a system drive without having to install a complete Windows operating system. Boot from a CD-ROM and run the data recovery entirely from there using the RAM for dynamic data. Copy the recovered data to another hard drive or - if you have network access enabled - to a network destination. Click here for further instructions...

Recover files over your local network or over a serial cable-

This feature enables you to run GetDataBack on one computer ("remote") while accessing the drives of another computer ("host").

Recovering data over a network is useful, especially when you are not able to remove the drive you want to recover from and attach it to another computer.

Just download HDHost and install it on the computer you want to recover data from. Click here for further instructions...

Please note: Installing HDHost or any other programs on the drive you want to recover from, can cause data on that drive to be overwritten.

If at all possible, we always recommend to attach the drive as a second drive to a working computer and run the data recovery software from there.


Quick scan feature in GetDataBack for NTFS: complete a recovery in minutes instead of hours.

Step by Step Guide: Doing a Data Recovery with GetDataBack

You can run GetDataBack from a WinPE boot CD-ROM.

GetDataBack now supports Unicode.

Now you can recover files whose names are encoded in non-standard character sets. This includes all Unicode character sets, such as Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Greek... We recommend to perform the data recovery on an NT/XP computer because Win9x/ME does not fully support Unicode.

GetDataBack recovers from

• Hard drives (IDE, SCSI, SATA)
• USB drives
• Firewire drives
• Partitions
• Dynamic Disks
• Floppy drives
• Drive images
• Zip/Jaz drive
• Compact Flash Cards
• Smart Media Cards
• Secure Digital Cards
• USB Flash Drive
• iPod Disks

GetDataBack comes in two versions:

Note: We recommend that you download the demo version of GetDataBack first to see if your files are recoverable. The demo version allows you to perform the data recovery and to see and verify your recovered files.

A license key is then required to actually save these files. Once you have a license key for the software, you don't have to run the program again, just enter the license key in the demo version to enable the copy function.

WinXCopy 02.01.00

WinXCopy - Based on the built-in Window’s software application XCopy, WinXCopy wraps all of the difficult command line parameters and batch file programming into a simple and easy Windows graphical user interface.

Create, Edit and execute powerful but simple data file backups to any drive your computer can access. Multiple back up items. Control the level of details for your back up items. Create very specific back ups or choose a top level folder to have all sub-folders backed up. Each back up item can be selected or unselected to control which of many back up items is actually executed. Choose what gets backed up. Back up all your files, just what has changed today, pick the date yourself or just since your last back up.

Control the back up process. Copy archives file only, back up empty folders and many other customization options. Back up Reminders. Haven’t run a back up in a while, WinXCopy will remind you.

Minimized Mode Operation. Have WinXCopy start-up minimized and automatically run your back-ups when started. Auto Execute on WinXCopy Start-up. Automatically start your backup when the application starts.

Summary Reports. See what has been copied to where and how long it took.
List of Changes:
Version 02.01.00 from 2005-09-30
Updates for New OSs

Urgent Backup 3.03

Urgent Backup - Urgent Backup offers a quick, step-by-step wizard to guide you through backup and restore tasks.

It allows you to create backups at various different compression levels, automatically backups data on schedule to local disks, network drives, FTP servers, USB, CD /DVD and other compatible media. Urgent Backup has the ability to back up exclusively opened files, features multiple connections, incremental backup, and can run other programs before or after executing your backup.

The user can customize the method of naming backup files, adding, for example, the date of archiving.

Urgent Backup software supports SSL (FTPS), Secure FTP, SSH (Secure Shell). A built-in task scheduler simplifies job scheduling and management of backup operations. The program has no limitations on the number of scheduled tasks.
List of Changes:
Version 2.80 from 2008-03-11
new features added
User License Agreement:

THIS SOFTWARE AND THE ACCOMPANYING FILES ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. Because of the various hardware and software environments into which Urgent Backup may be put, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED.

Good data processing practice dictates that any new program should be thoroughly tested by the user with non-critical data before relying on it. The user must assume the entire risk of using the program.

Auto Backup for MySQL Professional 3.0

Auto Backup for MySQL Professional - Auto Backup for MySQL Professional Edition is a powerful Windows program that makes it easy to schedule the backing up and restoring of your remote and local MySQL databases. It's easy to back up one or many MySQL databases, and restore them to the same server, or to any server. You can to customize the scheduler so that the program would automatically make the backup from the MySQL databases daily, weekly, monthly, any special date or time interval.

Backup MySQL databases to SQL or PHP files or the other server or the other database, and restore databases from them.

Main features:

An easy-to-use task wizard.

Compress the backup SQL files to the GZIP files.

Unlimited size databases (larger than 4GB) are supported.

High-speed back up and restore databases.

Use buffer mode to speed up a task.

Run as a Windows Service.

Backup files manager.

Restore databases from SQL and GZIP files.

Online back up the Internet MySQL databases.

Each file contains all databases or a selected database or a selected table.

Back up all newly-created databases and tables on the MySQL server automatically.

All MySQL character sets are supported, including UTF8, UCS2, LATIN1 and all.

All MySQL storage engines and table types are supported, including InnoDB, MyISAM, BDB and all.

All MySQL field types are supported, including BLOB, DATE, DECIMAL and all.

Create a new folder and named it after DATE_TIME every time for storing the backup files.

Back up MySQL views.

Back up the selected databases and tables from a server or a database to the other.

Automatically restore databases.

User-defined backup file name using MACRO variables.

Automatically delete the older backup archives based upon dates or the number of backups.

Disable shutdown/log off/suspend when a task is running.

Windows NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista are supported.

MySQL from 3.23 to the newest version are supported.

MySQL server run on all Operating System (Linux/UNIX/Windows/MacOS and all) are supported.
User License Agreement:

END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT

SwordSky Software agrees to provide the user ("USER") with a copy of this software product ("SOFTWARE"),and grants the USER a limited license to use the SOFTWARE. ("LICENSE") This LICENSE defines what the USER may do with the SOFTWARE, and contains limitations on warranties, liabilities and remedies. This LICENSE may be revoked by SwordSky Software at any time without notice if the USER fails to comply with the terms of this LICENSE. The copyright and all other rights in the SOFTWARE shall remain with SwordSky Software.

GetDataBack Data Recovery for FAT 3.03

GetDataBack Data Recovery for FAT - No matter what the disaster scenario is - GetDataBack will recover your data if the hard drive's partition table, boot record, FAT or root directory are lost or damaged, data was lost due to a virus attack, the drive was formatted, fdisk has been run, a power failure has caused a system crash, files were lost due to a software failure, files were accidentally deleted...

Recover even when Windows doesn't recognize the drive - GetDataBack can even recover your data when the drive is no longer recognized by Windows.

It can likewise be used even if all directory information - not just the root directory- is missing.

Get everything back- Advanced algorithms will make sure that all directories and sub directories are put together as they were, and that long file names are reconstructed correctly.

GetDataBack is safe - GetDataBack is read-only, meaning the program will never attempt to write to the drive you are about to recover. Please make sure to read the safety instructions...

GetDataBack is easy to use - The software enables the regular user to conduct his own data recovery by guiding him through five easy to understand steps, thus gives the advanced user the possibility to interfere with the recovery and improve the results, by examining the scan log, the file system details, file and directory information, by selecting the sector range to be scanned, by choosing excessive search for file systems or search for lost files, by calling Runtime's DiskExplorer. Recover files over your local network or over a serial cable.

This feature enables you to run GetDataBack on one computer ("remote") while accessing the drives of another computer ("host").

Recovering data over a network is useful, especially when you are not able to remove the drive you want to recover from and attach it to another computer.

GetDataBack can also be run from a boot disk and now supports Unicode characters.
List of Changes:
Version 3.03 from 2007-01-28
Easier user interface, improved bad sector handling, French language support
User License Agreement:

The following are the conditions under which Runtime Software software is sold, supported and may be used. By using or registering Runtime Software software, you are agreeing to these.

This document may be augmented or superceded by conditions included with specific applications.

Neither the author(s) nor Runtime Software assume responsibility for any expense, damage or loss caused by your use of this software, however it occurs.

RollBack Rx - Standard 7.2.12

RollBack Rx - Standard - Roll Back Minutes, Hours, Days even Months... Easily Roll Back PC Problems.

"You've just installed the latest release of your favorite software. The last step is to restart, but - The PC won't boot... Or perhaps you were just working on an important document and your PC was hit by a virus - forcing your system to reboot without warning... Hostile thoughts are racing through your head regarding all the work you've lost... Lost, that is, unless you're using Rollback Rx..."

RollBack Rx is an industry leading PC protection utility. It represents an advancement in technology that has never before been available in protecting computers from viruses, users or system problems.

RollBack Rx allows computer users, regardless their skill levels, to easily and quickly repair their computer problems in seconds. Empowering both users and enterprise IT support personnel to achieve tremendous savings of time and money on maintaining their computers. Whether you are an administrator, MIS specialist, technology coordinator, secretary, teacher, software tester, librarian, or a novice home user - you can use RollBack Rx to save time, money and PC trouble. RollBack Rx enables users of all skill levels to quickly and easily repair PC issues.

RollBack Rx delivers powerful Roll Back functions while being very flexible. RollBack Rx eliminates the need for backups or carrying duplicate images of hard drives. Rollback Rx allows users and/or administrators to create a “snapshot” of the entire system at a specific time. You can take as many snapshots as you would like and you can roll-back and roll-forward from any snapshot at any time...
User License Agreement:

End User License Agreement

This End User License Agreement ("EULA") is a legal agreement between you (either an individual or a single entity) and Horizon DataSys Inc.. ("Horizon DataSys Inc."), for Horizon DataSys Inc. software product(s) identified above, which includes computer software and associated media and printed materials, and may include "online" or electronic documentation and support/help information ("SOFTWARE PRODUCT" or "SOFTWARE"). By installing, copying, or otherwise using Rollback Rx, you agree to be bound by the terms of this EULA.

Back Me Up Backup Software 1.0

Back Me Up Backup Software - AMF Back Me Up is easy to use backup software. Back Me Up backs up software to zip files, which means that you can recover your files easily. Back Me Up supports zip disks, hard disks, CD and DVD writers and more. A step-by-step wizard makes it easy for anyone to start backing up their important data. Unlike other backup programs, you don't need Back Me Up to restore your data.

Back Me Up features:

- Stores backups as standard Zip files - the most common type of compressed file.

- Automatically spans multiple removable disks, such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks, Zip drives, etc.

- With Smart Restore technology, Back Me Up can recognize standard Windows folders and restore your files to their proper location - even on a computer running a different version of Windows.

- Allows splitting of backup files for later writing to removable media.

- Can backup or restore over a network.

- Schedule backups to run automatically.

- Creates detailed reports of backups and restores.

- Tags backup files with date and time for easy file management.

- Uses advanced file filtering to allow inclusion or exclusion of files by file type, size, date.

- Allows inclusion or exclusion of individual folders and files.
User License Agreement:

AMF Back Me Up for Windows; Evaluation License

This license applies to the Back Me Up Evaluation License. If you do not have an evaluation version of Back Me Up, see the section titled Back Me Up Standard License.

Your Agreement to this License

By using, copying, transmitting, distributing or installing Back Me Up ("Back Me Up"), you agree to all of the terms of this agreement (“License”).

GetDataBack Data Recovery for NTFS 3.03

GetDataBack Data Recovery for NTFS - No matter what the disaster scenario is - GetDataBack will recover your data if the hard drive's partition table, boot record, MTF or root directory are lost or damaged, data was lost due to a virus attack, the drive was formatted, fdisk has been run, a power failure has caused a system crash, files were lost due to a software failure, files were accidentally deleted...

Recover even when Windows doesn't recognize the drive - GetDataBack can even recover your data when the drive is no longer recognized by Windows.

It can likewise be used even if all directory information - not just the root directory- is missing.

Get everything back- Advanced algorithms will make sure that all directories and sub directories are put together as they were, and that long file names are reconstructed correctly.

GetDataBack is safe - GetDataBack is read-only, meaning the program will never attempt to write to the drive you are about to recover. Please make sure to read the safety instructions...

GetDataBack is easy to use - The software enables the regular user to conduct his own data recovery by guiding him through five easy to understand steps, thus gives the advanced user the possibility to interfere with the recovery and improve the results, by examining the scan log, the file system details, file and directory information, by selecting the sector range to be scanned, by choosing excessive search for file systems or search for lost files, by calling Runtime's DiskExplorer. Recover files over your local network or over a serial cable.

This feature enables you to run GetDataBack on one computer ("remote") while accessing the drives of another computer ("host").

Recovering data over a network is useful, especially when you are not able to remove the drive you want to recover from and attach it to another computer.

GetDataBack can also be run from a boot disk and now supports Unicode characters.

AceBackup 2.2.0

AceBackup - With AceBackup you back up your precious data locally or on any desired storage device (e.g. hard disk, floppy disk, CD, DVD, zip, jazz, USB, Mo devices) as well as on the network or directly on FTP servers.

The powerful functions of AceBackup and its user-friendly interface allow you to directly back up your data from Windows Explorer with just one mouse click.

You can back up your data encrypted or compressed. You can restore your data either in the original folder or in any other folder.

AceBackup supports two project types: the BACKUP function which backs up your data 1:1 including subfolders like in the original location, and the ARCHIVE function which you can use to assign your files to any new folders you like.

For your safety, AceBackup supports several encryption algorithms (up to 256 bit). That way no unauthorized person can access your sensitive data during backup. Archive backups can also be secured encrypted to the FTP server.

The program also allows so-called AS-IS backups: These backups are created without encryption and compression and can be restored at any time even without AceBackup.

Using the scheduler, you can back up your data automatically to always have them up to date.

The program also supports backing up several versions of one file in order to have older versions if the file was changed by accident.

AceBackup, the intuitive ideal solution for your backups, is topped off by the management of several backup volumes in one project, by the filtering of file types, and by the Update Manager which keeps the program up to date.

Data Recovery NTFS 12.08.06

Data Recovery NTFS - Advance Data Recovery NTFS Software to recover deleted files emptied from the Windows Recycle Bin or lost due to the formatted windows NTFS partition or NTFS file system. Data Recovery NTFS is secure NTFS data recovery tool designed recover ntfs files, undelete ntfs data from deleted, damaged, corrupted or undelete easily recover from NTFS & NTFS5 file systems. Advanced NTFS Data Recovery Software has been developed by the data recovery experts to recover ntfs data from corrupt ntfs partitions created by windows operating systems. NTFS Data Recovery Tool has very simple and well guided steps to recover your lost ntfs data from damaged windows NTFS and NTFS5 file systems. Data Recovery NTFS software is equipped with unique Guided File Excavation Technology (GFETch) which helps in locating files and folders lost behind overwritten partitions too. Data Recovery NTFS software tool provides successfully recovery of deleted files and folders even after Recycle Bin has been emptied or use of Shift+Del key and to undelete ntfs data. Download Demo version of the Data Recovery NTFS software is available on the site which helps you to analyze that how much data of yours have been recovered. Restore NTFS data using Data Recovery NTFS Software which is a best NTFS restore tool use any non-technical user for data recovery. NTFS Data Recovery software easily provides deleted ntfs data, lost data and corrupted data from windows disk drive and software support Windows 95, 98, ME, XP, 2000, 2003.

DriveClone Disk Imaging Utility 2

Publisher's Description:

DriveClone Disk Imaging Utility - DriveClone makes a 1:1 copy of your hard drive, allowing you to quickly recover or replace your hard drive in case of ANY catastrophic data disaster. Your software, files, and settings will appear EXACTLY as they were when you created the cloned image. Simple enough for a home user, DriveClone's powerful replication tools are also suitable for the system administrator, who can copy a single disk image onto multiple computer systems, dramatically reducing the time needed to install new software, configure settings, and load data. Clone hard drives that are different in size, format, or brand, and copy select partitions or an entire hard drive to CD or USB external hard drive for the best possible backup.
User License Agreement:

FARSTONE TECHNOLOGIES INC. (FARSTONE) END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR DRIVECLONE, HEREAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE "SOFTWARE"

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: THE USE OF THIS "SOFTWARE" IS SUBJECT TO THE "SOFTWARE" LICENSE TERMS OF FARSTONE AND OTHER LICENSORS WHOSE SOFTWARE MAY BE BUNDLED WITH THIS PRODUCT.

BY YOUR USE OF THE "SOFTWARE" INCLUDED WITH THIS PRODUCT YOU AGREE TO THE LICENSE TERMS REQUIRED BY THE LICENSOR OF THE "SOFTWARE", AS SET FORTH BELOW. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE LICENSE TERMS APPLICABLE TO THE "SOFTWARE", YOU MAY RETURN THE ENTIRE UNUSED PRODUCT FOR A FULL REFUND.

Recover Data for NTFS 1.0

Recover Data for NTFS - Recover Data for NTFS Recovery Software is best undelete NTFS utility and more effective NTFS Partition Recovery Software for NTFS/NTFS5 partitions of Windows OS. Recover Data for NTFS - NTFS Data Recovery Software successfully restore, retrieve & recover lost, deleted, corrupted & formatted data of NTFS Partitions of Windows OS. Recover Data for NTFS is the only NTFS recovery software you will ever need as it is fast and easy to use NTFS Data Recovery software. Recover Data for NTFS is the powerful NTFS file recovery software that retrieves unerase NTFS data, unformat partitions of Windows NTFS file system. Recover Data for NTFS can recover NTFS files accidentally deleted or removed from the Recycle Bin or deleted from Windows Explorer with the SHIFT+DEL key. Recover Data for NTFS supports NTFS & NTFS5 of Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server. NTFS partition recovery software successfully undelete NTFS partition data, salvage NTFS files/folders, rescue NTFS and unerase NTFS partition data from corrupt or damaged NTFS partitions. Recover Data for NTFS offers Desktop Recovery, Raw Recovery, Remote Recovery and Image Recovery.

Desktop Recovery recover mainly accidental deleted or deleted files using Shift+Del key,

Data recovery from HDDs with crashed file system, accidentally deleted partitions or formatted partitions,

Drives with failed operating/file system,

Drives suffered from virus attacks.

Raw Recovery will be useful to recover specific file header signature by choosing file extensions using Recover Data for NTFS as it reads all sectors on the disk sequentially (sector-by-sector) looking for specific file header signatures.

Image Recovery Option creates image of the hard disk to recover data there from when there are bad sectors in the storage media and when the user is recovering data from the failing hard disk or drives.

Remote Recovery option offers Online Data recovery Services and ensures data security during data recovery process.

Rollback Definition

Definition: The ROLLBACK statement in SQL cancels the proposed changes in a pending database transaction. The transaction can be rolled back completely by specifying the transaction name in the ROLLBACK statement. A partial rollback can also be accomplished by specifying a savepoint name in lieu of the transaction name. The alternative to rolling back a transaction is to utilize the COMMIT command to make the proposed changes part of the relational database.

The ROLLBACK statement is used in the following manner to cancel an entire transaction:

BEGIN TRANSACTION [transaction_name]
...
SQL Statement(s)
...
ROLLBACK TRANSACTION [transaction_name]

The ROLLBACK command can also be used to cancel part of a transaction in the following manner:

BEGIN TRANSACTION [transaction_name]
...
SQL Statement(s)
SAVE TRANSACTION savepoint_name
SQL Statement(s)
ROLLBACK TRANSACTION savepoint_name

Why Cheap Data Recovery Solutions Are Not For You

In this age where data loss can get lost at any time, many data recovery companies are emerging and it becomes difficult to make a good choice. Many users may opt for cheaper solutions and this may cost them more in trying to recover their data. It may even be the case that ones data may be completely lost. This in no way means that one takes their hard drive to the most expensive company.

Therefore, it is good to do a variation of prices across several companies. Let the drive be viewed by at least 3 data recovery companies and make your evaluation from that. If there is a similar diagnosis from the companies then it means that they are reputable. But if they differ, it is always advisable to get another opinion because the most important thing is that your data is recovered.

The companies offering cheap data recovery solutions should be avoided because some of them just want to lure one into low quotes just to get the work but they don't put in the seriousness that is deserved. After doing their diagnosis, they tell you that the hard disk damage is quite serious and the cost for its recovery is 2 times what they quoted. Such companies should not be trusted.

There are other companies that have hidden charges. Yes, they will lure one with low prices, but they will begin to charge one for parts, labor and other "additional" technology that was used. Such companies are fraudsters.

Therefore, the next time your hard drive fails, be careful to choose the right data recovery solution company. Do your homework well and your data will be recovered.

You can also see these interesting articles about preventing laptop hard disk recovery problems.

Recover Lost Data - How to Restore Lost Data Quickly and Easily

Do you need to recover lost data? Are you afraid that some important documents, files, or emails are lost forever? What if I told you there is a way to restore lost data very easily? What you need is specialized software that can track it down.

There are many ways that we can "lose data". Here are some of the most popular -

• Accidentally deleting files from the recycle bin.

• Reformatting your hard drive and losing all of your information.

• Your hard drive becomes corrupt and you can no longer access information.

• You accidentally delete emails from your inbox that you actually needed.

• A portable or periphery storage device was erased or corrupted.

These are just a few examples of why you would need to recover lost data. And in all of these cases you can actually restore lost data very quickly. The key is to act quickly!

Although the data can be recovered, if you wait to long there is a possibility you may lose your chance. The reason is the lost files can be over-written at any time. There is no protection for them.

But if you act quickly I promise you can recover lost data today. What you need to do is install a top notch data recovery program and run a search for the deleted and missing files. I have tried out a bunch file recovery programs and have settled on one being the absolute best. Search your files for free and restore your lost data right now.

Did you accidentally delete or lose data that you actually needed? Want an easy way to get it back? Learn how to go about recovering deleted files the easy way. Simply scan your computer and choose which files you want to restore. It costs absolutely nothing to try!

Jim Marshall is a computer technician expert with over 15 years in the industry. He has worked on restoring hundreds of hard drives, storage devices, iPods, partitioned drives, and much more. He has compiled reviews of some of the top data recovery programs based on his experiences. After extensive testing see what he considers the best.

Misconceptions in Data Recovery

Accidental erasure means permanent data loss: This is one of the most perceived in the minds of many PC users. They believe that one the accidentally erase some data/files and it was important, that data cannot be retrieved. THAT'S NOT TRUE! As long as one does not tamper with the storage medium, your data can be retrieved by data recovery specialist. So in case any user happens to delete some critical information that they really need, don't panic! Just pick up the phone and contact a reputable data recovery specialist who will give you the necessary guidance in recovering your data.

Data Recovery is very costly: If you are reading this and you have this mentality, you had better stop thinking. Statistics have it that after data loss, it is estimated that having to recreate the data would cost 8000$ per MB. Who is willing to spend all this money recreating all the lost information when one could go for data recovery services? Data recovery services would charge a few thousand or even a few hundred dollars to recover your data within a short amount of time. So do the math and choose the best option!

Data Recovery specialists are fraudsters: This is another misconception that is not good. These are the only people who can salvage your business after data has been lost. Just as an accountant is entrusted with the accounts within any organization, a data recovery specialist is entrusted with the work of recovering data; your data which is very important. It is said that data is the fuel that keeps a business going. Without data, your business would collapse. Therefore, whether one may think that data recovery specialists are fraudsters, you may at one point or the other need their services as they could be the only people who may keep your business running by helping you recover your lost data.

Offsite Data Backup & Recovery

Ensure You Don't Lose Your Important Data to Disaster How much do you rely on the information stored on your computer? It's likely you keep a lot of data on there that would be very difficult or even impossible to replace should it be lost. If you are running a business that relies on computers, laptops, and servers for the storage and exchange of data, the loss of this information could cost your business dearly, not just financially, but in time and reputation too.

Many things can occur that would cause the data stored on your laptop or desktop PC or Mac computer, or even your network servers, to be lost forever. A fire, flood, or other disaster could cause damage to hard drives and other storage devices. Computers and laptops may be stolen or lost. A computer virus can corrupt or delete important documents and files on your system. These are just some of the events that could make your data disappear without trace, unless you have backup copies.

That is why it is vitally important that you do keep a backup of all of your data, and keep it in a safe and secure place away from your home or place of business, so that it will not be affected should disaster strike. Backing up your data need not cost you a lot of money, or take much time or effort, but the peace of mind it will bring you or your business is priceless. Secure offsite data backup will give you this peace of mind.

Saving Your Treasured Memories

Take a moment to think about what is stored on your home computer or laptop. Family photographs, important letters, emails, and other documents, perhaps even home videos and other files which carry a sentimental value. If your computer was to break down or be lost, stolen, or damaged, it may prove impossible to get this data back. Taking the time to copy these files and store them somewhere safe could save you a lot of heartache. An offsite data backup and storage service would help you to ensure that, should anything happen to the data on your PC or laptop, it won't be lost forever.

Insuring Your Business Against a Data Loss Disaster

What about the files, documents, and other information that your business stores on its computers and servers? The loss of important and confidential client data would be catastrophic, and would cost your business a great deal of time and money. And just imagine having to explain to your clients that this data has been irretrievably lost. A disaster such as this could destroy a company.

Regular offsite data backup ensures that your documents and files are safe, even if something happens to the computers in your business premises. Disasters such as fires, floods, or thefts are difficult enough to deal with, but knowing that you can retrieve any lost information takes some of the stress away. It also helps to assure your clients that yours is a reliable and trustworthy business who can be depended upon to keep their important information safe.

How to Avoid Losing Your Vital Data

To make sure you don't lose precious data to disaster, invest in an offsite data backup service. It needn't be expensive or time-consuming, and could save you a great deal of money and effort in the long run. With your data being backed up on a regular basis, and stored securely away from your home or place of business, you can be sure it won't come to harm even if your computer does.

SequreData provide a reliable offsite data backup service in the UK, making a daily backup of your new data and storing it in secure offsite data centers