Drive Savers
Disk-aster of the Month
01 May 2008 02:32 Filed in: Tech News
Mad Media is a San Diego based marketing agency that
specializes in action and motor sports branded
advertising and web-based viral film campaigns for
sponsor companies such as: Red Bull, DC Shoes,
Element Skateboards, Split Clothing and Subaru of
America. Last summer, as southern California
wildfires destroyed homes and businesses, many
others, including Mad Media, were affected by power
surges that caused damage to computers and other
electronic devices.
Production came to a halt for the company when its sophisticated eight terabyte RAID storage system containing two years worth of irreplaceable video clips from major sporting events and hundreds of hours of editing work became inaccessible. The company turned to Sonnet Technologies, the manufacturer of the RAID system, for help. After determining the nature of the damage, Sonnet recommended DriveSavers.
"We can't afford to tell a client their footage is lost," said Joshua Martelli, Director of TV & Film Production at Mad Media. "The scope of work that we execute is at a very advanced and professional level. We are competing with both large national agencies and very adept production groups. Every project we work on has a deadline that we can't afford to miss."
Within two days, DriveSavers fully recovered all the data on the eight terabyte system allowing Mad Media to get back on schedule. "The data was in the identical state it was before the crash. It was as if nothing had ever happened," commented Martelli.
DriveSavers has a Digital Arts Division that caters to the growing number of artists, graphics, film and audio professionals who rely on technology to create their work. With combined expertise, proprietary tools and knowledge of the industry, DriveSavers excels in data recovery for customers working in the digital arts field and has proven success in restoring data lost in the most challenging ways.
Production came to a halt for the company when its sophisticated eight terabyte RAID storage system containing two years worth of irreplaceable video clips from major sporting events and hundreds of hours of editing work became inaccessible. The company turned to Sonnet Technologies, the manufacturer of the RAID system, for help. After determining the nature of the damage, Sonnet recommended DriveSavers.
"We can't afford to tell a client their footage is lost," said Joshua Martelli, Director of TV & Film Production at Mad Media. "The scope of work that we execute is at a very advanced and professional level. We are competing with both large national agencies and very adept production groups. Every project we work on has a deadline that we can't afford to miss."
Within two days, DriveSavers fully recovered all the data on the eight terabyte system allowing Mad Media to get back on schedule. "The data was in the identical state it was before the crash. It was as if nothing had ever happened," commented Martelli.
DriveSavers has a Digital Arts Division that caters to the growing number of artists, graphics, film and audio professionals who rely on technology to create their work. With combined expertise, proprietary tools and knowledge of the industry, DriveSavers excels in data recovery for customers working in the digital arts field and has proven success in restoring data lost in the most challenging ways.
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Disk-aster of the Month
30 March 2008 02:17 Filed in: Tech News
Encrypted data storage devices are extremely common
for businesses, government and individuals storing
highly confidential or personal information on them.
To understand and overcome the challenges of
recovering data from encrypted drives, DriveSavers
engineers have worked in partnership with all leading
encryption software manufacturers and have been
trained and certified by government-approved vendors
to recover file and disk-level encrypted data safely
and successfully.
As a result, government agencies with encrypted systems regularly rely on DriveSavers to recover their lost data. Recently, a US Army employee almost lost all his confidential data. His laptop over heated and began clicking, a symptom of electro-mechanical component failure. To complicate matters, the drive was encrypted.
To recover the data, the mechanical components in the 2.5" hard drive first needed to be rebuilt by engineers in our Class 100 cleanroom. Once the mechanical repairs were completed, a file system engineer-certified in encryption data recovery protocol-successfully created a sector-by-sector image of the data on the drive.
"I can't say enough about the professionalism that was exhibited throughout EVERY step of the recovery process," remarked the owner.
In special cases, data is so sensitive that we return the sector image back to the customer fully encrypted. The customer can then enter the decryption key to verify the recovered data in their own protected environment.
Certain customers and data loss situations require extra security procedures. DriveSavers provides customized data recovery solutions that meet the most stringent data security requirements, including the successful recovery of data from encrypted drives.
As a result, government agencies with encrypted systems regularly rely on DriveSavers to recover their lost data. Recently, a US Army employee almost lost all his confidential data. His laptop over heated and began clicking, a symptom of electro-mechanical component failure. To complicate matters, the drive was encrypted.
To recover the data, the mechanical components in the 2.5" hard drive first needed to be rebuilt by engineers in our Class 100 cleanroom. Once the mechanical repairs were completed, a file system engineer-certified in encryption data recovery protocol-successfully created a sector-by-sector image of the data on the drive.
"I can't say enough about the professionalism that was exhibited throughout EVERY step of the recovery process," remarked the owner.
In special cases, data is so sensitive that we return the sector image back to the customer fully encrypted. The customer can then enter the decryption key to verify the recovered data in their own protected environment.
Certain customers and data loss situations require extra security procedures. DriveSavers provides customized data recovery solutions that meet the most stringent data security requirements, including the successful recovery of data from encrypted drives.
Disk-aster of the Month
08 December 2007 00:14 Filed in: Tech News
All May Not Be Lost!
Recent wildfires in Southern California destroyed more than 2,000 homes and blackened 809 square miles from the Mexican border to Los Angeles. SoCal Wildfire victims may be able to recover irreplaceable digital photos, critical financial records, personal files and other important data.
DriveSavers is extending their offer of $500 off their data recovery services to residents and business owners affected by these fires if the drives are received before January15, 2008. In addition, we would like to thank the 150-plus computer service providers in Southern California that provided additional discounts and support to those affected by the wildfires.
DriveSavers has recovered thousands of burnt hard drives that looked unrecoverable. While the fire-damaged computer's plastic components may be melted, the data encased in the metal hard drive may be recoverable. When helping a client with a burnt up computer:
Do not power up a smoke-damaged or burnt computer or device
Do not attempt to clean the hard drive
Keep wet hard drives moist: store the drive in an airtight, sealed plastic bag
Do not remove the drive from a melted computer; send in the entire system
Fire damage is a bittersweet example of how important it is to back up valuable data and store the backed up data in a separate location.
Recent wildfires in Southern California destroyed more than 2,000 homes and blackened 809 square miles from the Mexican border to Los Angeles. SoCal Wildfire victims may be able to recover irreplaceable digital photos, critical financial records, personal files and other important data.
DriveSavers is extending their offer of $500 off their data recovery services to residents and business owners affected by these fires if the drives are received before January15, 2008. In addition, we would like to thank the 150-plus computer service providers in Southern California that provided additional discounts and support to those affected by the wildfires.
DriveSavers has recovered thousands of burnt hard drives that looked unrecoverable. While the fire-damaged computer's plastic components may be melted, the data encased in the metal hard drive may be recoverable. When helping a client with a burnt up computer:
Do not power up a smoke-damaged or burnt computer or device
Do not attempt to clean the hard drive
Keep wet hard drives moist: store the drive in an airtight, sealed plastic bag
Do not remove the drive from a melted computer; send in the entire system
Fire damage is a bittersweet example of how important it is to back up valuable data and store the backed up data in a separate location.
What's New at Drive Savers? iPhone Data Recovery
08 December 2007 00:09 Filed in: Tech News
iPhone - Data Recovery
Time Magazine named it the "Invention of the Year." It is the communication tool, camera, music player and data storage device of the future. It is technologically smart, sexy and the "gotta have it" device of today. You guessed it-it's the iPhone! And like all digital storage devices in the world today, it can store irreplaceable data and lose it too.
"The iPhone has revolutionized mobile phones to the extent that users want to store as much data as possible on them," said Scott Gaidano, president of DriveSavers Data Recovery. "iPhones can go anywhere, capturing precious moments on digital photos, gathering new contacts and downloading music. If the data is lost before it is backed up, then DriveSavers is the best option for getting data back."
The storage built into these devices is memory-based which uses less power, runs silently and is more resistant to shock than a hard drive. However, this technology can also be compromised by user error, mismanagement and failure. Already this year, we have done recoveries on a number of iPhones that lost data as a result of deleted files to crashed file systems to one being dropped in the ocean.
Any device that stores data can also lose data. You need to sync/back-up their iPhone regularly, just as you would with any storage media.
Time Magazine named it the "Invention of the Year." It is the communication tool, camera, music player and data storage device of the future. It is technologically smart, sexy and the "gotta have it" device of today. You guessed it-it's the iPhone! And like all digital storage devices in the world today, it can store irreplaceable data and lose it too.
"The iPhone has revolutionized mobile phones to the extent that users want to store as much data as possible on them," said Scott Gaidano, president of DriveSavers Data Recovery. "iPhones can go anywhere, capturing precious moments on digital photos, gathering new contacts and downloading music. If the data is lost before it is backed up, then DriveSavers is the best option for getting data back."
The storage built into these devices is memory-based which uses less power, runs silently and is more resistant to shock than a hard drive. However, this technology can also be compromised by user error, mismanagement and failure. Already this year, we have done recoveries on a number of iPhones that lost data as a result of deleted files to crashed file systems to one being dropped in the ocean.
Any device that stores data can also lose data. You need to sync/back-up their iPhone regularly, just as you would with any storage media.
Disk-aster of the Month
08 November 2007 18:38 Filed in: Tech News
Frampton Comes Alive—Again
A "directory recovery" is the most common and best quality recovery that DriveSavers can produce. However, when a user has deleted files/folders, initialized or formatted a drive or, for an unknown reason, has missing documents; the data may have to be returned in a "generic" format.
If the original directory pointers (technically referred to as the "catalog and extent tree leaf nodes") are lost or overwritten, a generic recovery is a likely probability, although a directory recovery may still be possible. The directory functions like a book's table of contents, locating and accessing files stored randomly across the platters.
DriveSavers engineers have developed highly customized utilities that allow them to recover data in spite of damaged file directories. Working at the sector level, they can define and decipher hex code "headers", organize the data by file type (Word, Excel, Photoshop, etc.) and verify that the recovered files are complete and undamaged. The customer would then open and rename each file after the data is returned.
On a recent recovery performed for music legend Peter Frampton, all of Peter's files were retrieved devoid of their original titles. The artist's hard drive had held 1000 songs recorded with his audio device, a folder with song lyrics and many family vacation photos. With or without names, most of the data was one-of-a-kind if not irreplaceable. Peter and his family were overjoyed to have the files back.
DriveSavers engineers will not stop until they have tried everything to achieve a perfect directory recovery. But, if the directory structure is impossible to recover, we can still give the customer generic results. And like Peter, most customers are thrilled to get back any of their lost data, even if it means renaming the files themselves.
A "directory recovery" is the most common and best quality recovery that DriveSavers can produce. However, when a user has deleted files/folders, initialized or formatted a drive or, for an unknown reason, has missing documents; the data may have to be returned in a "generic" format.
If the original directory pointers (technically referred to as the "catalog and extent tree leaf nodes") are lost or overwritten, a generic recovery is a likely probability, although a directory recovery may still be possible. The directory functions like a book's table of contents, locating and accessing files stored randomly across the platters.
DriveSavers engineers have developed highly customized utilities that allow them to recover data in spite of damaged file directories. Working at the sector level, they can define and decipher hex code "headers", organize the data by file type (Word, Excel, Photoshop, etc.) and verify that the recovered files are complete and undamaged. The customer would then open and rename each file after the data is returned.
On a recent recovery performed for music legend Peter Frampton, all of Peter's files were retrieved devoid of their original titles. The artist's hard drive had held 1000 songs recorded with his audio device, a folder with song lyrics and many family vacation photos. With or without names, most of the data was one-of-a-kind if not irreplaceable. Peter and his family were overjoyed to have the files back.
DriveSavers engineers will not stop until they have tried everything to achieve a perfect directory recovery. But, if the directory structure is impossible to recover, we can still give the customer generic results. And like Peter, most customers are thrilled to get back any of their lost data, even if it means renaming the files themselves.
Migrating Recovered Data
08 November 2007 18:36 Filed in: Tech Tips
When DriveSavers completes a recovery, the recovered
data is returned on a new hard drive, DVD or other
media. If the drive was physically damaged or
malfunctioning, it is probably unreliable and you may
need to purchase another one. If it is in warranty,
you can then send the recovered drive back to the
vendor for replacement once the recovery is
completed. DriveSavers is authorized to open all
drives without voiding the warranty.
DriveSavers recovers everything from the failed media (including applications, operating systems and data files), but our engineers only verify the integrity and quality of the data files. Copying the files over to a new drive may not complete the process; the user may need to take some time to restore settings and reinstall applications to insure that everything functions properly. In some cases these preferences and settings can be imported.
Additionally, there are some other solutions that can help a customer return to pre-failure state. Current operating systems have software to assist the user with this process. Utility software that automates the task is also available for purchase, as are USB "data transfer" cables that can help with a data import.
Most importantly, always make and verify a backup if you need to move data for any reason.
DriveSavers recovers everything from the failed media (including applications, operating systems and data files), but our engineers only verify the integrity and quality of the data files. Copying the files over to a new drive may not complete the process; the user may need to take some time to restore settings and reinstall applications to insure that everything functions properly. In some cases these preferences and settings can be imported.
Additionally, there are some other solutions that can help a customer return to pre-failure state. Current operating systems have software to assist the user with this process. Utility software that automates the task is also available for purchase, as are USB "data transfer" cables that can help with a data import.
Most importantly, always make and verify a backup if you need to move data for any reason.
What's New with DriveSavers
04 September 2007 18:51 Filed in: Tech News
Magnetic Avalanche
When a consumer buys a new high capacity, top of the line hard drive, one of the first things they think is, "Wow, I have tons of space...and it's screaming fast too!" The last thing on the happy purchaser's mind is not about how it works. After all, it is quite complicated and best left to those who develop and build drives.
Scientists have found that these rapidly-spinning drives could potentially be vulnerable to a "magnetic avalanche." In basic terms, this would be the result of electrons spinning so fast that they cause their neighboring atom's electrons to "flip bits" and thus, cause corruption.
Disk drive manufacturers have been creating new designs and using new materials to prevent magnetic avalanches from occurring. During the manufacturing process, they use an effect known as "damping" which is the process of quieting the drive down or reducing its vibration by making sure that spinning parts spin continuously at the correct rate and stabilizing the magnetism inside a drive.
The reality of having a drive suffer from this condition is slim, as it is ideally resolved during manufacturing. If, however, one did slip through the cracks and suffered a failure like this, it is unclear if the data would be recoverable.
There is nothing you can do to prevent a magnetic avalanche, and there is no way to tell if you this is the issue you are experiencing. Our advice-if you are going to sell a "screaming fast, super large drive", perhaps sell two. And teach your customer how to back up on the second one!
When a consumer buys a new high capacity, top of the line hard drive, one of the first things they think is, "Wow, I have tons of space...and it's screaming fast too!" The last thing on the happy purchaser's mind is not about how it works. After all, it is quite complicated and best left to those who develop and build drives.
Scientists have found that these rapidly-spinning drives could potentially be vulnerable to a "magnetic avalanche." In basic terms, this would be the result of electrons spinning so fast that they cause their neighboring atom's electrons to "flip bits" and thus, cause corruption.
Disk drive manufacturers have been creating new designs and using new materials to prevent magnetic avalanches from occurring. During the manufacturing process, they use an effect known as "damping" which is the process of quieting the drive down or reducing its vibration by making sure that spinning parts spin continuously at the correct rate and stabilizing the magnetism inside a drive.
The reality of having a drive suffer from this condition is slim, as it is ideally resolved during manufacturing. If, however, one did slip through the cracks and suffered a failure like this, it is unclear if the data would be recoverable.
There is nothing you can do to prevent a magnetic avalanche, and there is no way to tell if you this is the issue you are experiencing. Our advice-if you are going to sell a "screaming fast, super large drive", perhaps sell two. And teach your customer how to back up on the second one!
DriveSavers Tip of the Month
04 September 2007 18:49 Filed in: Tech Tips
Easy to Use . . . . . . Easy to Lose
Who doesn't have a USB "thumb" or "key" drive these days? They are easy to use, great for data backup, relatively inexpensive and can be purchased almost anywhere. They even come in designer colors! Did we mention they are easy to lose? Data that is.
The reason these devices mount on any computer is that most are formatted with the FAT32 file system. This is the most common and compatible file system today. However, it is not the most stable.
Just like any storage device, USB drives can fail if not cared for properly. It is common for users to cause corruption by unplug them without dismounting them first. They can also have physical issues. They can be forgotten in pockets and end up in the wash-or worse-in the dryer full of static electricity.
DriveSavers recovers data anywhere from these little USB "thumb" drives to micro drives on up to massive 2TB desktop drives.
Make sure to follow the correct procedure to dismount your USB device. Treat it with care. In the event that you do lose data or can't access the device. . . give us a call.
Who doesn't have a USB "thumb" or "key" drive these days? They are easy to use, great for data backup, relatively inexpensive and can be purchased almost anywhere. They even come in designer colors! Did we mention they are easy to lose? Data that is.
The reason these devices mount on any computer is that most are formatted with the FAT32 file system. This is the most common and compatible file system today. However, it is not the most stable.
Just like any storage device, USB drives can fail if not cared for properly. It is common for users to cause corruption by unplug them without dismounting them first. They can also have physical issues. They can be forgotten in pockets and end up in the wash-or worse-in the dryer full of static electricity.
DriveSavers recovers data anywhere from these little USB "thumb" drives to micro drives on up to massive 2TB desktop drives.
Make sure to follow the correct procedure to dismount your USB device. Treat it with care. In the event that you do lose data or can't access the device. . . give us a call.
Disk-aster of the Month
04 September 2007 18:47 Filed in: Tech News
The Doctor Can Help You Now
Corinne Cox is the office manager for Family Doctors of Vicksburg, MI, a 20-person medical facility. Like all things mechanical, her hard drive gave up the ghost one day, taking with it vital financial records including patient billing and payroll.
Corinne remained calm because she personally had a daily backup procedure in place. Every day at 5 PM, she would pull the backup tape and store it offsite for additional security and protection. When her IT people checked the backup system, they found that the server was corrupted and had not been making a back up of their system for several months. The reality began to sink in-without this data, she wouldn't be able to pay co-workers and doctors or invoice the patients.
"Our entire practice was unable to function without our data, I literally felt physically ill", says Corinne. Like many of the drives that come to DriveSavers, this specific drive suffered from media damage and required the heads and actuator assembly to be replaced through extensive microsurgery in an effort to temporarily repair the drive.
Three days later, the Family Doctors office received its data and was back in business. Of the experience Corinne shared, "The stress of losing this data was devastating. I hope other people will learn from my experience that even though you think you're backing up, it's important check and confirm that everything's working as it should."
Corinne Cox is the office manager for Family Doctors of Vicksburg, MI, a 20-person medical facility. Like all things mechanical, her hard drive gave up the ghost one day, taking with it vital financial records including patient billing and payroll.
Corinne remained calm because she personally had a daily backup procedure in place. Every day at 5 PM, she would pull the backup tape and store it offsite for additional security and protection. When her IT people checked the backup system, they found that the server was corrupted and had not been making a back up of their system for several months. The reality began to sink in-without this data, she wouldn't be able to pay co-workers and doctors or invoice the patients.
"Our entire practice was unable to function without our data, I literally felt physically ill", says Corinne. Like many of the drives that come to DriveSavers, this specific drive suffered from media damage and required the heads and actuator assembly to be replaced through extensive microsurgery in an effort to temporarily repair the drive.
Three days later, the Family Doctors office received its data and was back in business. Of the experience Corinne shared, "The stress of losing this data was devastating. I hope other people will learn from my experience that even though you think you're backing up, it's important check and confirm that everything's working as it should."
Cadco Systems partners with Drive Savers
09 April 2007 12:31 Filed in: Announcement
Cadco Systems, Inc. partnered with Drive Savers Inc.
to deliver state of the art data recovery services.
To receive special discounts for their services,
please reference the following number: DS18016
For more details about Drive Savers, go to our Data Recovery page.
For more details about Drive Savers, go to our Data Recovery page.