For the millions of Americans who use computers daily, dealing with corrupt data is inevitable. It's going to happen at some point. Though annoying and potentially damaging to your system, corrupt data needn't have you running for the hills. Realizing how to diagnose and fix corrupt data can save you many agonizing hours attempting to recover the affected data.
All the files located on your hard drive, including OS files and software are referred to collectively as data. Several issues may arise that can create full file corruption. Power supply interruption is one crucial example. Corruption can also happen when the computer is shut down incorrectly or if it is turned off before all external devices have been unplugged. This stored information can also get mixed up if there is a system failure, a programming bug or files are not saved properly. Operating system files are at risk of corruption whenever a software update fails to finish installing or if the download is aborted.
The above actions or issues can cause corrupt data, which will cause a corrupted hard drive directory. When this breaks down, files may look gone when they in fact are still present; this can create a discrepancy in the free available disk space measurements vs. the amount of data that actually exists on your hard drive.
The user can plan ahead to protect the files on any computer.
Schedule Regular Backups
Running a back up to an external drive is very cost effective, easy to perform and effective. For a comparatively small amount of money, electronic retailers sell hard drives that have storage capacities upwards of 2.5 terabytes. Plan out a good backup schedule and stay consistent. Most experts recommend a weekly backup for a good degree of safety. Ensure you do not power down the system before ejecting all external drives, including IPods. Failing to do this may lead to corruption.
Be Prepared for Recovery
Users are urged to prepare recovery disks so as to be ready in cases of full file system crash. Look under "System and Security" and "Backup and Restore" on a Windows based computer for complete instructions about how to make a recovery disk. This task will require a number of blank writeable disks. These recovery disks will come in handy if the operating system appears to go south and needs to be re-installed because of a file system crash.
Got Anti-Virus?
A good anti-virus product can be scheduled to scan the hard drive for file and directory problems. Most of the timeit will catch and attack those problems before you even know they are there. A "full scan" or "deep scan" should be executed at least monthly to clear the system of any viruses and malware that can attach themselves to your system with everyday use.
Shore up your computer against corrupt data caused by environmental issues, such as power surges. This can be prevented byusing a surge-protected power bar, rather than a regular wall outlet. Even high-end power bars are inexpensive, with most costing less than $25, and are for sale at almost every retailing chain.
Protecting any PC or Mac from corrupt data is simple if you plan in advance, and these tips are a great start.
All the files located on your hard drive, including OS files and software are referred to collectively as data. Several issues may arise that can create full file corruption. Power supply interruption is one crucial example. Corruption can also happen when the computer is shut down incorrectly or if it is turned off before all external devices have been unplugged. This stored information can also get mixed up if there is a system failure, a programming bug or files are not saved properly. Operating system files are at risk of corruption whenever a software update fails to finish installing or if the download is aborted.
The above actions or issues can cause corrupt data, which will cause a corrupted hard drive directory. When this breaks down, files may look gone when they in fact are still present; this can create a discrepancy in the free available disk space measurements vs. the amount of data that actually exists on your hard drive.
The user can plan ahead to protect the files on any computer.
Schedule Regular Backups
Running a back up to an external drive is very cost effective, easy to perform and effective. For a comparatively small amount of money, electronic retailers sell hard drives that have storage capacities upwards of 2.5 terabytes. Plan out a good backup schedule and stay consistent. Most experts recommend a weekly backup for a good degree of safety. Ensure you do not power down the system before ejecting all external drives, including IPods. Failing to do this may lead to corruption.
Be Prepared for Recovery
Users are urged to prepare recovery disks so as to be ready in cases of full file system crash. Look under "System and Security" and "Backup and Restore" on a Windows based computer for complete instructions about how to make a recovery disk. This task will require a number of blank writeable disks. These recovery disks will come in handy if the operating system appears to go south and needs to be re-installed because of a file system crash.
Got Anti-Virus?
A good anti-virus product can be scheduled to scan the hard drive for file and directory problems. Most of the timeit will catch and attack those problems before you even know they are there. A "full scan" or "deep scan" should be executed at least monthly to clear the system of any viruses and malware that can attach themselves to your system with everyday use.
Shore up your computer against corrupt data caused by environmental issues, such as power surges. This can be prevented byusing a surge-protected power bar, rather than a regular wall outlet. Even high-end power bars are inexpensive, with most costing less than $25, and are for sale at almost every retailing chain.
Protecting any PC or Mac from corrupt data is simple if you plan in advance, and these tips are a great start.
About the Author:
Maureen Davies is an experienced data recovery engineer and editor of http://www.harddriverecovery.org. Find out more about her company's data recovery service here.
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