Making a plan using USB Data Recovery

November 18, 2009 – 8:37 pm

We understand how USB devices and data recovery works and are ready to make a plan to recover our data in case we lose it for some reason that can be due to virus corruption or damage to the device itself or even just accidentally deleting files from the device.

If for some reason we did have to recover we might follow these steps.

  • Search the internet for a free USB Data Recovery software product. Install it and use it to recover and restore any lost data that you can get. I would then copy the data to my computer Hard Drive if that is not where you restored to in the first place. One thing to remember is that free software might be just a trial version and expires. If you want to purchase it they usually want you too.

Extermal Hard Drive

  • If you are not sure what this software does it scans the device to find file that may be recoverable or restored, and then lists the files that are recoverable. Hopefully the sensitive or personal ones that you are looking for are on that list. You can then restore to your Hard Drive your even the USB device. As I have said before it might be better to restore to the Hard Disk then make sure the USB device is not damaged in any way.
  • If the free software was not the choice for you, my guess is you would need to purchase the full version in order to get all of the options available from that software. This is usually inexpensive and about only $30-40. If I had the funds (cash flow) I might go with purchasing and inexpensive data recovery software product to put in my software library as a just in case I need it in the future. This way I do not need to worry about trial expirations or finding software on the internet, I already have it.
  • The other way to a good recovery is the best but is more expensive. Going with a USB Data Recovery Service, these services can provide specialized knowledge of restoring data, expertise in the data recovery field that only they have, tools not available in normal circumstances. These services might also include repairing your USB device and not only restoring the data. I can see specific reason why I would spend the extra money for a service.

The thing we can take from this is there are options available to restore our data if we need them but it is best to prevent having to use them.

5 Tips to USB Data Recovery Plan

November 18, 2009 – 8:36 pm

We love our pictures, songs, movies and other files of sentimental value. We might also need to keep secure work files. We need to have a good data recovery plan. Here are some tips that might be of a good value to starting to get a good plan in place. Of course not losing your data in the first place it best, however it has happened to the best of us at the worst times. Right when we need the data! Then we might spend hours trying to recover or restore it.

  • Keep your devices clean and in a cool area away from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will damage as well as any hot place in a car or room in the house. Probably when you travel is the biggest time that you will need a USB Storage device, it is easy to damage a device not stored in a good place like a suitcase. I store mine in my carry on backpack. When you are home you might use a laptop computer stand and you will want to choose one that supports USB hubs so that you can get the most out of your stand as well as have a at data recovery plan in place.

USB Pink Stick

  • Keep data on at least 3 different devices. Whether these are on computers, external Hard Drives, USB devices, anywhere data can be stored and retrieved. If you only have the data on your USB key and it is corrupted then we will have to go to a data recovery mode. I know I would not want to lose the pictures of my family or my music for that matter.
  • Like any other storage device that you use be sure to protect against viruses using a reputable virus software program. Get updates regularly to keep your USB storage device protected against file corruption. There are reputable virus scanning software companies. Of course they try to sell a bigger package.
  • Be sure to safely remove the device from the computer (safely remove hardware) when you disconnecting your USB storage device or any USB device for that matter. Also most USB keys have either a protective cap or slide open or have some other way of protecting the insertion part of the key. I would use them always.
  • Update your stored data often. If you save drivers on your USB device for example for software or hardware on a computer, you will need the ones applicable to that computer or server.

I really hope that you might find some information of value to you that will keep you from having to restore or retrieve your data and of course that in the future you will never lose any data.

USB Data Recovery – Service Prevention

November 18, 2009 – 8:35 pm

Even though you are very pleased with your USB device, whether it be a flash drive or USB key, ect., you should have a good backup plan so you do not have to revert to using data recovery software or services. Yes there is free software and software that cost, and even the more expensive route, data recovery services. This can happen to anyone, files and accidentally be deleted or corrupted. The idea is to have a good plan so that if this happens you (we) do not have to spend a lot of time or money retrieving our data.

The easiest way to not to have to revert to using data recovery software or services as a solution because your data was lost or corrupted is to have a backup plan in place and implemented.
USB Key Strap

If you do not have a backup plan in place there are other routes that we have mentioned before. Free data recovery software is the least expensive, and then there is data recovery software that cost a little money but is better. The available software can also maybe fix other data loss issues due to viruses or even hardware problems themselves. Software viruses can also cause data corruption.

The way this software works is simple; it scans the device and lists the files that are recoverable. Hopefully the ones that you are looking for are on that list. You can then restore to your Hard Drive your even the USB device. I personally restore to the Hard Drive, then make sure the USB device is working. This is a very easy and inexpensive way of recovering your corrupted or lost data.  Most data recovery software that I have seen is about $39.99.

If software does not work then the data recovery services might be your only solution to recover or restore your lost files, pictures, videos, music and other types of files. These data recovery services specialize in restoring data from USB storage devices like these. You may want to consider using one of these services available, if your USB device is badly damaged or if software does not fix the problem. Services are more expensive in the long run however; losing your important files is of a great more cost.

You would not want to have to purchase new hardware; you still will not have your data and will incur a greater cost. Always protect the hardware devices you have until you need to upgrade them Use good anti-virus software and we cannot stress backing up your important files to a 3rd place.