What Not to Do When You Lose Your Data?

 

We experienced this at some point in our lives; you accidentally deleted the final copy of the presentation you've been working on for a few days… You didn't want to click 'yes' in the popup window and accidentally formatted all your photos on your portable hard disk… You dropped your tablet into the bathtub while watching your favorite Netflix series… Does any of these scenarios sound familiar?

In most cases, if you've lost your data, there's still a chance it can be recovered. However, for this to be possible, there are some things you should and should not do to protect your data. Let's take a brief look at what you can do and what you should not do when you think you've experienced data loss:

Things to Do:

• STOP Whatever You're Doing!

Further use of your device may make the situation worse and make your data permanently unrecoverable. Therefore, we recommend that you stop using your device no matter what. Moreover, by stopping the work you do for yourself and your data, you will also minimize possible risks in situations such as fire and flood damage.

• Stay Calm and Take Notes!

Evaluate the conditions and understand what happened. Having a good idea of what went wrong is very important for deciding your next action. What were you doing when data loss occurred? Did you hear any unusual sounds or smell burning? Did you see anything unusual? No matter how simple the situation seems, take as many notes as possible so you can refer to them later. What is the total data capacity of your device? What kind of files do you think are missing?

• Check backups

If you have an external backup drive, use a separate computer to check the file backups you think you might have lost. If you have regularly backed up your data to another hard drive or cloud, you won't need to worry.

• Consult an Expert

If you can't find backups of your data, consult your IT department, IT service provider, or a Tekniknokta data recovery expert. The notes you took earlier will be very useful here. Make sure you convey all the information in your notes to the expert. Your expert will advise you on the next step. You can review our related article for detailed information about choosing the right data recovery company.

• Package your device properly

If you won't deliver your device to a data recovery expert yourself and need to send it by cargo, package your device well. As a general rule, make sure you use a box twice the size of your device. Package your device carefully and preferably put it in an anti-static bag. Choose a reliable cargo company. If your device has fire or water damage, the data recovery expert can advise on additional precautions to be taken.

Things Not to Do:

Now, let's take a look at some things you shouldn't do when you lose your data. Although some may seem sensitive, they all contribute to the possibility of successfully recovering your data and it is very important to understand them correctly.

• Panicking

No matter what the situation is, data loss is stressful. In times of panic, we tend to make irrational or wrong decisions that are irreversible for successful data recovery. Take a minute to understand what happened before doing anything else. You can learn about what needs to be done to prevent data backup errors.

• Using the device more

As we mentioned before, if you think your data is lost, don't use your device anymore. Everything that seems like simple tasks such as checking emails, browsing the internet, or looking at files on the computer, etc., is stored on your hard disk. These simple operations can cause this information to be written over the files you have lost.

• CHKDSK Command

Using CHKDSK is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. It will do its best to make your system work properly. However, it will destroy all the files that are in its way. It may be tempting to try, but it's always best not to use this tool.

• DIY methods

If you've lost your data, it may be very tempting to try to do something to solve the problem. Although it may seem like a good idea, it often causes accidental damage and even permanent data loss. Instead of using your own methods, try contacting your IT expert or Tekniknokta Data Recovery expert first. A good expert will present you with all the options according to the situation.

• Opening the hard disk

You should never try to open your device yourself. Unless you are an experienced data recovery expert in a clean room environment, no matter how careful you are, you will cause more damage. Microscopic dust particles can remain on the platters inside the disk and create an irreversible effect on the disk surface. It can destroy the saved data. Like many methods, trying to disassemble the hard disk may seem tempting to you, but this is always something you should leave to experts.

In conclusion, if you suspect you've lost your data, try to act logically and cautiously. Think before you act, you may not be able to undo what you do and you may lose your data forever. If you have doubts, consult with your local IT expert or an experienced data recovery expert; they can advise you on what needs to be done.

It's always better to be safe than sorry, so always check if your backups are working…