Avoiding the Need for Disaster Recovery
A Backup Article Contributed by Ashley Lister
Avoiding the Need for Disaster Recovery
Avoiding the need for disaster recovery can make life simpler and easier for any computer user.
Disaster Recovery is the Expensive Procedure Where a Computer Hard Drive Has to Be Repaired by Professionals. Usually This Necessity Comes about Because a Computer Has Been Damaged by Either Flood, Fire, Theft or Some Malicious Cause Like a Virus Attack. the Hard Drive is Either Corrupted or Made Inaccessible and Disaster Recovery is the Only Means by Which Valuable Data Can Be Retrieved.
But the Need for Disaster Recovery Can Always Be Avoided.
Regular backups.
Making regular and comprehensive backups on a daily basis (or more frequently if necessary) can easily overcome the need for disaster recovery. Backups should always be made to removable storage media. This includes remote backup to an ISP or other offsite storage provider, tape drives, zip and jazz discs or CD and DVD drives. If backups are made to removable storage media this means, should anything happen to the original drive, the copy is stored at a safe location and (most likely) safe to be used to restore damaged information.
Regular software maintenance.
Performing Regular Maintenance on a Daily Basis Should Help to Identify Any Potential Problems before the Need for Disaster Recovery Becomes an Issue.
Programs like scandisk can check the integrity of a computer drive and identify any problems such as bad sectors or unusable clusters on a drive. Using these tools regularly will alert a user to a fault before it can cause a problem.
Regular hardware maintenance.
As well as running software maintenance utilities, it is prudent to make sure the hardware is running properly. Pay careful attention to any unusual sounds emanating from the computer. The slightest change in tone could indicate there is a problem which could cause the need for disaster recovery.
Keep a careful note of the age, date of purchase, specifications and other salient details of your hard drive. When the warranty is due to expire consider upgrading to the next appropriate model. Although it does not seem cost effective to replace a working hard drive, it can be far more expensive utilising disaster recovery for the same procedure.
Avoid unnecessary risks.
Laptop users should be particularly cautious about the day to day potential of disaster that they face. Portable machines are prone to the vagaries of theft, accidental knocking as well as damage from the temperature and the elements. Simple precautions such as a sturdy and appropriate carry-case, as well as due care and consideration while transporting their equipment, should lessen the likelihood of their requiring the services of a disaster recovery specialist.
And while office-bound machines aren't as likely to suffer calamities as their portable counterparts, consideration should be given to their wellbeing by all operators. Pay attention to unusual noises from within the computer; take care with drinks near the keyboard, monitor and CPU; be careful not to introduce any harmful agent such as a magnet into the office environment and always act in the first instances of noting a problem.
Following the above advice could certainly negate the need for a disaster recovery agent.
