Last week we talked about data backup and why it's important. This week we're addressing data recovery and how to properly dispose of your hard drive.

Recovery
So let’s say that last week when the storms rolled through, your computer was plugged in and your hard drive was damaged. Or maybe your very old system finally died, taking those beloved family pictures with it. Perhaps a friend offered to remove a virus on your PC but reformatted the drive without backing up your information first. You never made a backup, or perhaps you have one but its several months old. Now you're very disappointed with yourself that you didn't do a recent, complete backup of all those important files. Do you have any recovery options?

Yes, in most cases there are options. They will be determined by how badly your hard drive or files are damaged and how much you are willing to pay. Before we examine how to retrieve your data, it would be helpful to first explain how the hard drive stores and erases data.

The hard drive is a small metal case with magnetic discs inside where your data is stored in sectors and tracks. When you delete a file on your computer, the file itself isn't destroyed. Instead, the markers telling the computer where that file is are changed from showing that space as “filled” to showing it “empty.” The computer then allows new information to be written there. The more times a file is written and erased in that space, the harder it becomes to recover the original file.

Remember how your friend reformatted your hard drive and didn't do that backup? Reformatting a hard drive marks the entire drive as “empty” but the information is usually still there. With the proper tools, it is often possible to retrieve the data in spite of the reformat.  

In the case of a “zapped” or failing hard drive, if there's any "life" left to the drive, we may be able to extract some or all of your data. If our efforts are successful, your data can be back in your hands in no time. If we’re unsuccessful, you still have options.

We have partnered with Gillware Data Recovery to perform advanced data recovery. Located in Madison, WI, Gillware specializes in recovering data from even the most troubled hard drives. Gillware will perform an assessment of your drive and send you a list of the recovered files and the cost of recovery. Once you approve, they will perform the recovery and you get your files back. Pricing is dependent on the condition of the drive but there are no fees until you decide how to proceed.

Disposal
So now that we've examined how to recover your data, let’s discuss proper disposal.

The average home user could drill a few holes in their hard drive and chuck it in the trash. Unless the drive contains work-related files or sensitive personal information, additional special steps to render it inaccessible aren't usually needed.

However, if you are a business or work with highly-confidential data, you will want to take extra precautions. First, what you don’t want to do is throw your computer or hard drive in the trash. Even a failing or newly reformatted hard drive can have data retrieved if it’s found by someone highly motivated to do so. Again, a simple reformat doesn't actually destroy the original data, it will just overwrite it.

There are several ways you can more permanently delete these files without physically destroying the hard drive; they usually involve several “formatting” passes be made and may include random data being written and erased. Yellowstone Computing uses DOD (Department of Defense) recommended software to erase hard drives as the first step in disposal. This will render the recovery of the data all but impossible without forensic recovery equipment, and even then it is highly unlikely that anything useful can be saved. Once this process is complete the drive casing is opened and the discs are physically destroyed.

Please note: This isn't meant to be an exhaustive description of all data recovery options or ways to dispose of a hard drive. This is simply an overview. For your amusement, you might enjoy reading about some other ways you can destroy a hard drive here. 

If you are already the unfortunate owner of a failed hard drive and you want your data back, or if you wish for us to help you properly dispose of your data contact us! We're happy to help you! 

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Do you have a question or topic you’d like us to address? Email and let us know! 

If the files you keep on your computer are important to you, then you need to have a backup of those files. Why? Any number of things could put your hard drive out of commission. These include lightning, hardware failure, or a virus that encrypts your data. You could, without warning, lose those photos of your precious grandchild, your wedding day, or that novel you've been trying to write for 2 years. While data can often be recovered, the circumstances of the damage will dictate how much it will cost you to recover them.

Let’s take a look at how to back up those files. Backup solutions come in two main flavors; local backups and offsite backups. Local backups could be to a CD, an external hard drive, or another computer in the same building. An offsite backup sends to data to “the cloud,” actually a server or series of servers in another part of the world. There are pros and cons for each option.

With a local backup, your data is being stored locally, which means that you control where it goes and who can access it. If your system crashes, you can go back and restore it right away. The downside is that since your backup is at your location, theft could rob you of both the original and backup, and a fire or lightning strike could take out both your main system and backup.

An offsite backup has other advantages and disadvantages. Your data is stored off site, away from your physical location, which means that if you have a robbery or fire, you can simply log in to your online account from anywhere on the planet where you have internet and get your files back. Your information is usually encrypted at the offsite location, which provides a layer of protection. The disadvantages include the unlikely possibility that someone could hack your provider’s system and access your backup, but they’d need a decryption key to be able to do so. The chances of this happening are slim. The other downside to an offsite backup is that if your backup contains a huge amount of data, it can take a long time for you download information from your provider. Some providers, however, offer the option to mail you a copy of it.

So what's the best option for you? That answer will depend on a number of factors, but for individuals, a local backup is usually sufficient and can be as simple as an automated backup to an external hard drive. You can also use an offsite solution such as Google’s Drive, Microsoft’s OneDrive (previously SkyDrive) or many others. Some of these options are free, others are fee-based.

For businesses we recommend a layered approach; that is both onsite and offsite solutions. Onsite will give you fast and easy access to your data in emergencies while an offsite solution will provide extra redundancy and accessibility. 

While doing a backup can be as simple as using Windows’ Copy and Paste feature to transfer files to an external hard drive, backup software provides a more robust and customizable solution. Contact Yellowstone Computing today to discuss your backup needs and find a solution that’s right for you!

If you are already the unfortunate owner of a failed hard drive, there are recovery solutions. If you want your data back, contact us to discuss your options for recovery.

Do you have a question or topic you’d like us to address? Email and let us know! 

A frequent problem we see on computers is dust. Yes, the same dust you wipe off your shelves and makes you sneeze also gets into your computer and smothers it. We usually recommend cleaning your computer every 3 months, but you may need to do this more or less frequently depending on your environment.

To explain the dust, we need to explain the heating/cooling aspect of your desktop computer. Because computers generate heat in use, the heat is removed through several means. The computer’s CPU has a heatsink clamped on top of it. This is typically a block of copper, aluminum, or a combination of both, and usually has numerous fins topped by a fan. Copper and aluminum, very good heat conductors, pull the heat away from the CPU and the fins radiate the heat to the surrounding air. At this point, the fan keeps cool air moving over the fins and pushes the warm air away. The computer may also have additional fans to pull cold air in and push the hot air out. As the CPU gets hotter, the fan will spin faster to move more air. The noise of the fan also increases as it spins faster.

Over time dust will collect on the fan blades and heatsink. This dust acts like a blanket that prevents the heat from escaping. Since the computer isn't cooling as well, the fans spin faster, bringing in more dust. This happens continuously as your fan runs whenever your computer is on. As dust collects on the blades, the fan will get out of balance, placing more strain on the motor and the bearings. This causes overheating, and the computer will shut down to prevent damage. However, the dust can cause the fan to eventually fail. 

So, how do you stop this from happening to your computer? You clean it out. There is a catch; you will need to open your computer case first. Many people are afraid of doing this, but it really is quite simple. However, if you don’t feel comfortable doing this, then let us take care of it for you! We routinely clean dust from customer computers while performing other maintenance and repairs at no charge!

If you are ready for the challenge, you’ll want to have a few tools handy. First, you will need a screwdriver to remove the case screws holding the side panel in place. Most cases use Phillips screws, but occasionally you’ll need a Torx bit. Second, you will need a can of compressed air. Third, you will want a microfiber cloth to wipe the panels down.

To begin, shut down the computer and unplug the cables. The cables are shape and color coded, but feel free to label them. You will then want to take the computer outside or to a workbench for cleaning since this can be messy. Proceed by removing the screws that hold the panel in place, then slide it to the rear, it should now pop free. Now use your compressed air to blow the dust out of all the nooks and crannies paying special attention to the fans and heatsinks. Once the dust is blown out take the microfiber cloth and wipe down the inside of the panel you removed, as well as the outside of the case. Slide the panel back into position and reinstall the screws. Plug everything back in and power on the system. Congratulations, you have successfully cleaned your computer!

Do you have a question or topic you’d like us to address? Email and let us know!