Hard Drive Failure = Data Loss

If you face the error “select boot device” or related message when starting your computer. You could be facing a “Data Recovery” disaster. If your Hard Drive stops spinning then most file recovery options are not available. There’s the off chance that if you send the drive into a Data Recovery house that they may be able to get the drive running again but the retrieval of files from the platters is very costly. Most customers can’t justify the price, $100-$200 Diag +$ per each file recovered, and chalk it up to lessons learned.  This takes time sending the drive in and waiting until your drive is looked at, customer aproving the cost, then waiting to get the drive back.

Don’t assume just because the computer can’t find the boot drive that the drive stopped spinning. That’s the worst case senario. The computer and drive may be fine and should be checked by a profesional before that determination is made. Before you bring the computer in to get it checked remove all USB flash drives and external hard drives and  check that there isn’t a CD-ROM or floppy disk in the drive causing the boot failure.

Make sure you do regular backup’s of your important files, music, pictures and videos. It could be your last chance. You never know when your boot drive may stop spinning,  it can’t be predicted. Need help backing up your data or verifying your backup can be restored. Call and we can help.

Michael Avery, owner – AveryPC