Precious little is more important to a company than its data. When you experience data loss, time is of the essence. You have two options for data recovery: you can hire a professional, like the team at Priority 1 Computer, or you can purchase over the counter software. These two solutions differ in many ways, and which you choose boils down to the type of damage and the type of data lost. We’ve written this article to help you decide which avenue to pursue.
Data Recovery Software
There is a lot of software on the market that can effectively recover data. There are a few considerations to make before you make a purchase:
- What type of data have you lost? Most over the counter software can recover common file types, such as images, videos, and some documents. Proprietary files, on the other hand, are less easy to recover.
- The software must be supported by the operating system your company uses.
- What data storage method did you use? The software must be able to recover data from that particular medium – software can recover data from fewer devices.
There is a lot to consider when buying software, which can make the process more challenging and frustrating. Additionally, many software solutions are basic, meaning it’s difficult to find an application that can recover your company’s valuable data. Software solutions were designed to treat every problem the same, however, we all know that storage media can be damaged in several different ways and requires a more comprehensive fix. When you use an application with a “one size fits all” approach, it becomes less likely to recover files that are critical to your business.
It’s also important to mention, using software can cause more harm than good.
When your files have been deleted, you have a small window of time to recover them. When they’re lost, they are not permanently deleted, they’re only scheduled to be overwritten. Any action that you take, including installing software for data recovery, can increase the chance of your files being overwritten. What’s more, if you use software without first diagnosing the problem, there is a chance that the software can wipe out your data and make it completely unrecoverable.
A safer and more effective solution is to hire a professional. Professionals have spent years studying the best methods of retrieving data. They look for the specific problem, which can increase success rates.
Hiring a Professional
When you hire a professional, you get someone who has years of training and experience recovering lost files. At Priority 1 Computer, our professionals have seen countless cases, which make them more adept at solving your problem than basic software. They have the techniques to identify the problem and come up with the best solution. They also have the hardware tools to successfully recover your data. Over-the-counter software is incapable of doing this.
Another thing data recovery software cannot do is recover files when your storage medium has been physically damaged. For example, if the CD has experienced water damage, software can’t fix this. You will need to contact a professional to resolve this problem.
We understand if you’re on the fence about hiring a professional because their services can be expensive. It’s true, hiring a professional will cost more than using a software application. However, there are situations where you absolutely need a professional, or you may run the risk of completely losing your data. You should contact the team at Priority 1 Computer if:
- Your storage medium has been completely damaged.
- You have not diagnosed the problem with your hard drive.
- Critical data needs to be recovered that your company cannot afford to lose.
If you’re attempting to recover spreadsheets, graphics or emails, you may not need the help of a professional. When common file types are lost, the “one size fits all” solution of commercial software may be effective. But if your data is of high value, and you don’t know what damage has been done to the hard drive, contact the experts at Priority 1 Computer.
Contact Us
Our computer services include techniques to recover deleted or missing files. We also provide data protection services to keep your information safe and free from system corruptions and accidental deletions. Contact our team by filling out our form or calling (954) 623-8400.