I just wanted to share with you a catastrophe that I avoided this month regarding my family photos.
These photos are stored on my main computer and this month, the Hard Disk inside it broke and I could no longer get my computer to start. My computer stores many important files, but the most important files to me were the photos.
Fortunately, I know that Hard Disk Drives inside computers will fail, so I had put in place a regular, automatic backup plan which backed up the important files before the failure and I was able to rebuild my computer and and restore all of my important files. I didn't lose a single photo.
As you are a valued fan of Geekmobile, I wanted to share this with you, as I feel it is my duty to make you aware that as we become more reliant on our computers to perform our digital needs, we need to have a backup plan in place, or we run the risk of losing all of our important files.
Here are some questions that I hope you can say Yes, I do.
Do you have important files on your computer that you couldn't bare to lose? If you do, are they backed up?
Do you know how to schedule a backup plan that will protect your files in the event of a similar failure to what I experienced?
At Geekmobile, our technicians are experts in this type of thing and can suggest and set-up a backup plan which most suits you. There are many different types of backup plans, which are suitable for different people.
If you think that we could be of help in this area, give us a call and schedule in a Data Safe Guard Service for your system.
Recent backup and data recovery related services
| Description | Suburb |
|---|---|
| Clients system is very old and they are worried about losing data so client is upgrading system | Tallai |
| Fixed 5 startup errors Cleaned PC registry and temp files with ccleaner repaired hoyles card games issue Troubleshoot outlook startup issue Uninstalled outlook and reinstalled on another partition Import outlook data | Merrimac |
| CPU Heat Sink replaced. Heat sink backplate replaced. RAM upgraded to 1.2 GB. Registry recovered. Norton Updates installed. 10 Windows updates installed. Start menu shortcut Fixed. | Springwood |
| MS Outlook 2010 downloaded and installed. (Purchased by client) Old emails data files migrated to MS Outlook 2010. Purchased software burned on CD. | Waterford West |
| Data recovered from hard disk after writing over it with Ghost. Mouse replaced. Sound driver installed. Winzip (evaluation version) installed. | Camp Hill |
| Attempted onsite repair of OS was unsucessful Client was happy to have a fresh install on system HDD passed test backup format reinstall upon backup i discovered that there was a file in the app data that was corrupt and causing an incorrect file size reading (properties would grow indefinitely) which was locking up the user account upon boot up Backed up, formatted system, reinstalled windows client did not have Office so installed open office and windows live mail | Ormeau |
| Determined system has been unstable for months and best option was a clean install of windows if HDD passed test HDD passed test backup format reinstall | Hope Island |
| Incredi,ail configured. Address boo transferred. Pictures and data files transferred. Skype Configured and updated. Powerpoint Viewer installed. Office 2010 Starter activated. Brother MFC-490CW Printer installed and tested. Email Server Settings: Incoming: mail.oneseniors.com.au Outgoing: smtp.oneseniors.com.au Skype Settings: User: rossbrad1 Pass: bigbus7 | Rochedale South |
| PS2 Port Blow/Client using wireless mouse Checked motherboard (ok) Checked Backups Made backup of outlook in c:\outlook\ checked system startup | Oakville |
| Data transferred. Email account configured. Emails transferred. HP Photosmart All in one printer installed. Scanner configured. IE configured. 26 Important updates installed. | Sinnamon Park |
| System restored. Data files recovered. Email configured. Firefox configured. Non Essential Services removed from startup. | Karana Downs |
| Hard Disk fail the HIREN Test. Backup user data for customer to a USB stick. | Regents Park |
| Finding: Non geniune version of Win7 had installed. BSOD during the windows repair. Expired version of Norton 360. --------- Windows Vista Ultimate fresh installed and activated. Pictures restored to hard drive. 110 important updates installed on Vista. AVAST free version installed and updated. Adobde acrobat reader installed. Adobe Flash Player installed. Google Chrome installed. Virgin Mobile Connection manager installed. 2GB faulty RAM removed from system. (PC2 6400) | Churchill |
| Cleaned up HDD to remove unneeded files. Moved iTunes backups to external HDD and created junction point to new location. | Ashmore |
| Installed customer supplied replacement HDD. Installed Windows 7 & drivers, copied data from old HDD. Identified errors on old HDD. | Coomera |
| Customer supplied internal HDD installed. Windows 7 installed. Data from old HDD transferred to new Windows 7 installation. Errors noted on old HDD but data was retained with no failures. | Coomera |
| Attempted recovery onsite, kept failing on restart, so took system to replace HDD and reinstall. Client agreed to Fresh Start $249 | Medowie |
| Fake Antivirus removed. Registry Fixed. Data retrived from old hard drive. PC Tools updates installed. | One Mile |
| Removed excess data on C drive which was completely full. Scanned for malware (no malicious items found). Forced update in Kaspersky which was 67 days out of date. Internet Explorer used to test Internet access - no issues found. | Currumbin Valley |
| Deleted photos recovered. Photos backed up on CD and H.D.D. | Loganlea |
| MS Ofiice 2010 installed. Data transferred. Email account configured. Firefox installed. | Kangaroo Point |
| Hotmail account recovered. Address book exported to file. | Upper Mt Gravatt |
| - Fixed left hand mouse as it was not working (plugged it into USB port, by passing the converter) - Exported customer data and emailed - Copied Pilates DVD to PC > tested and working | Mudgeeraba |
| Hard disks formatted. Raid Volume rebuilt. BIOS upgraded. Windows 7 Backup configured. (Backup taken.) | Cornubia |
| Data files attribute fixed. Windows live essential downloded and installed. Email account configured. Emails recovered. | Raceview |
| - MYOB was pointing to the wrong database file - Found the correct MYOB file in My Documents - So this issue cannot happen again I have pointed the MYOB shortcut to open the correct database file everytime - Client did a backup just encase | Oxenford |
| Registry restored. H.D.D. replaced and re imaged. Norton 360 fixed. .NET Framework fixed. Thermal Paste reapplied on CPU heat sink. Windows updates installed. | Woodend |
| motherboard is not sending video signal to monitor test monitor and ok test hard disk for customer and all data are safe | Kingston |
| - Setup new PC - Removed unwanted programs and trial version of McAfee Anti VIrus - Installed Avira Free anti virus and updated - Installed Bigpond wireless internet - Transfered client's data from old PC to new PC - Setup email in Windows Live Mail and imported old emails and contacts - Installed Printer and tested | Southport |
| Cleaned virus/malware. Processed 'unhide' to recover hidden desktop files. Performed Windows update. Modified startup items. | Carrara |
| Windows Mail Live data files had been deleted. No data recovery is possible. Windows mail live configured. | Leichhardt |
| - Performed data recovery on deleted photos - Found lots of deleted JPEGs - Placed folder on desktop called Photos | Burleigh Heads |
| Extended partition Reconfigured Backups | Banksia Beach |
| Finding: H.D.D. crashed. Data recovered and transfered to new computer. Email account setup on new computer. Skype installed and configured. | Loganholme |
| Ram checked. CPU Checked. PSU checked. Motherboard need to replaced. H.D.D. checked. Data can be transfered to new computer. | Cornubia |
| Outlook Data file shared over the network. Data files recovered by Linux. External Hard drive formatted. Data transferred to External Hard drive. | Carole Park |
| Data transfered and confimed. | Bulimba |
| Removed old programs Fixed windows update setup backup to external drive | Preston |
| Hard Drive had corrupted sectors which were causing the lock ups and data corruption. Backed up users data. Repaired corrupted sectors on hard drive. Reinstalled Windows 7 via Acer Recovery (back to Acer provided image) Installed Norton 360 Anti-Virus and activated online Installed Microsoft Office 2007 and activated Restored users data on computer. Restored Outlook data back onto computer. Reconfigured/Setup Outlook to use the old Outlook PST files. | Elermore Vale |
| Computer is overheating. Retrieve data from old Hard Disk to external hard disk | Mansfield |
| Server Raid Controller had failed. Kicked off copy of data from single drive. Escallated to HP to come onsite and fix. | Hillcrest |
| Performed Windows recovery installation, fixboot and fixmbr operations. Wiped and reset MBR, fixed MFT. Repair installed Windows XP Home. | Hope Island Resort |
| Recovered 2159 files Recovered school assignment in .docx format Burnt recovered files to DVD | Highfields |
| Telstra Ultimate modem drivers installed on PC (run as administrator required for successful install). Joined Playstation 3 to Wifi network. Updated AVG antivirus database. Removed 'coolwebsearch' from startup items. Tested Internet connection speed: >2mbit/sec. | Gilston |
| - Deleted 60+ GB of old restored files and folders on D Drive - Deleted all downloads on C Drive, moved Jackie's Books from Desktop to D Drive - Performed a disk clean up to free up 5GB - Both drives now having enough room to work | Oxenford |
| Removed Fake Av File Recovery | Fitzgibbon |
| Windows damaged. Fresh installation required. No product key is provided. Data files has been deleted. System checked with different data recovery programs. No file found to recover. | Parkridge |
| Hard disk replaced. RAM upgraded. Data re-imaged. Non essential services removed from startup. | Inala |
| Restored user data including photos Installed replacement HDD Installed Windows 7 Home Pro Copied user data back to new HDD Updated Windows Installed Avast antivirus | Surfers Paradise |
| Restored Faulty Vista Updates with rollback. Allowed to update only necessary. Did Spyware scan, fixed up issues and ran Registry Cleaner, fixed up 114 issues. Cleaned up temp files, removed bing bar, downloaded and installed network printer driver for both PC's, changed network workgroup on all PC's to MSHOME. Ran printing tests, success. Updated Video Chipset Driver. | Nerang |
| Transferred all data Set up printer to print from iPad To discuss about emails with Outlook or Live Mail | Carlton |
| Hard drive error Scanned, found one bad block - fixed Filesystem corruption fixed Drive seems to be OK otherwise, but stay alert for possible sudden failure - keep up to date backups | Palm Beach |
| Windows Crashed. No restore point found. Fresh installation is required. | Springwood |
| Viruses removed Corrupt system files restored Updates applied Installed Avast free AV Unable to solve missing driver/sound problem, possible fault on motherboard | Campsie |
| - Restored internet access - Removed junk and excess files from PC - Removes unneeded startup entries | Belmont North |
| - Client bought an external HDD to use for the data that could be retrieved - Started data retrieval with Data Rescue 3 - Left running and client went through all the photos that had been detected - Client was happy with what had been recovered | Varsity Lakes |
| Problem did not occur while I was here. It sounds like the DSL sync or internet connection is dropping out, restarting the modem restores the connection. However all lights on the modem appear normal Outages may be temporary problem related to recent stormy weather conditions. Turned on Modem logs to try to capture any error message that may be generated when the problem occurs. | Oakville |
| - Built new system and installed Windows 7 Pro - Installed all Windows Updates and Service Packs - Installed Adobe Reader, Flash Player and Java - Transferred all personal data from the old Hard Drive | Runaway Bay |
| Taken PC offsite Re-installed Windows XP Home Re-installed MYOB Retail manager Downloaded & Installed DELL drivers Ran windows updates Downloaded and installed CA antivirus per customer request Delivered PC and performed the following on site: Configured Email Restored MYOB Retail manager data Installed printer and tested working | West Burleigh |
| Copied IERTUTIL.DLL via boot CD. This restored Windows access. Downloaded & installed updated Firefox, set as default browser, imported favourites from Internet Explorer. | Runaway Bay |
| - PC not booting due to RAM issue - Moved RAM to 2nd DIMM slot > booting fine - Moved it back to the 1st DIMM slot > booting fine - Just encase the 1st slot is starting to fail, I have moved the RAM to the 2nd DIMM slot - Created a batch file to backup emails and address book on 2 PCs | Banora Point |
| - Performed various malware and virus removal procedures - Restored operation of anti-virus software - Restored .exe file association - Replaced hosts file - Restored desktop icons - Uninstalled browser tool bars - Removed unnecessary startup programs | Warners Bay |
| - Removed Windows account password - Downloaded and installed Legacy 7.5, Imported database - Removed McAfee software and downloaded and isntalled Norton 360 (Activated) - Copied all personal information from old PC to Acer (Photos, Documents, Emails and Address Book) - Setup Windows Live Mail | Bilambil Heights |
| User profile corrupt Created new profile and copied user data, set up email account | Enfield |
| - PC would randomly stop responding when using the computer - Found Hard Drive 1 would click when trying to process - Cloned HDD 1 to HDD 2 which was emtpy - PC running better but still has issue with games not loading - Installed Windows 7 onto HDD 2 - Installed all Windows Updates - Installed Adobe Reader and Flash Player - Copied all personal data over from HDD 1 - Installed Steam and updated | Tallebudgera |
| Smart failure of HDD customer already has new PC doesn't want to proceed with data recovery | Toowoomba |
| - Supplied a test modem to the client for about a week until the Bigpond modem arrived - Test modem still had the same issue after a day - Client has setup and configured the new Bigpond modem and it has been working for 3 days. - Deleted old Optus email data from Outlook | Currumbin Waters |
| Coffee spill on computer Client will try and have relative retrieve data Doesn't want to proceed with repair or new computer | Westbrook |
| XP System cannot start. Repair system with Windows Recovery Console | Eight Mile Plains |
| C: drive was totally out of free space. Freed some space by removing temp files and moving photos to external drive User profile corrupt. Restored | Bangor |
| - HP desktop had no display on boot - Removed AGP video card and tried onboard video > same issue - Took out RAM > PC beeping on boot - Placed RAM back in > PC now booting fine - Placed AGP video card > PC still booting - Took out HDD and connected to new iMac - Transfered all personal data: Documents, Photos, Desktop and Favourites - Imported photos into iPhoto - Imported Favourites into Safari - Installed Brother printer and scanning software | Southport |
| run disagnostic program from system (compaq), no problems were detected on hardware. boot up system and backup all user files customer will upgrade to win7 | Brookwater |
| Data files, emails and address book transferred to New PC. Norton 360 installed and activated. Office 2010 activated and installed. 2 printers installed on PC. | New Beith |
| "System Control Panel" Fake antivirus removed. Registry fixed. Data files and shorcuts recovered. | Eastern Heights |
| Backed up customer data recovered non bootable drive Holding customer Data until the aquire a new machine. PC failed to boot, faulty motherboard faulty HDD | Broadbeach |
| - Backed up clients data (Photos, Music, Documents, Mail and Address Book) - Packed up old computer - Setup new iMac - Setup new HP all in one printer - Transfered data onto Mac - Setup Email and imported Address book - Installed VodaFone wireless broadband | Runaway Bay |
| Motherboard has died. Will return tomorrow with USB/IDE adaptor to recover data. | Westlake |
| Re-Installed Windows Backed up data that could be retrieved Unable to get all data as virus had infected the system and .dll extensions were missing. PC reinstalled and tested OK | Runaway Bay |
| Restored files to ealier date. BSOD - Repaired Config network card. | Currumbin |
| Took machine back to base, performed backup, format and reinstall of wondows vista. Reinstalled essential programs, Norton, Office and etc. Installed Vista Serice pack 2 and related updates. Fitted 2GB DRR2 Ram for faster performance | Maudsland |
| clone hdd and transfer data to other computer, remove viruses and setup wireless network. | Reedy Creek |
| Tested machine, found faulty HDD and power supply. PC was taken back to base and new 500GB HDD and power supply was fitted. Reinstalled Windows XP and all essential programs. Performed data recovery on the old drive. The recovered files were then imported back to the windows set up. System now loads and functions normally. | Robina |
| Checked over system, noticed that the system was heavily corrupted. Machine was taken back at the base for full thorough clean up. Found and removed viruses, malware, etc. Restored deafault settings and cleanned up registry and start up. System now boot and loads normally. | Runaway Bay |
| Booted from installation disk and performed restore from backup. 6 Dec 2011 backup restored. | Middle Ridge |
| Checked email settings and passwords. Reset account back to default incoming and outgoing email servers. Tried logging into webmail using prestored settings from problem account but could not access this way either. Contacted ISP to retrieve correct password and saved in account settings. Updated CCleaner and Malwarebytes on PC and cleaned computer. Also set CHKDSK scan to run on leaving premises. | Kellyville Ridge |
| System restored. (restore point :18/11/2011) Autocad English version unistaled sucessfully. | Daisy Hill |
| Restored missing folders | Kirrawee |
| Ran Boot CD to see if data could be retrieved from drive. File strcuture on HDD not being recognised properly. Ran two utilities and with the 2nd was able to retrieve a large quantity of the customer's data and put it onto their external HDD. Saved this data and then reconnected HDD back to old PC and verified that files were accessible and could be opened. | Greenfield Park |
| PC had suffered Catasrophic Fail. Removed HDD and recovered data. | Logan Village |
| retrieve data from old hard disk | Regents Park |
| Backed up data Checked XP machine HDD fail Motherboard Fail | Robina |
| - Fixed internet speeds - Replaced Internet Explorer as default browser - Downloaded and configured Google Chrome as new default browser - Added most-used bookmarks to bookmarks bar in Google Chrome - Imported bookmarks, history, form data and search history from Internet Explorer into Google Chrome - Configured home page for Google Chrome - Removed unwanted start-up entries to speed up PC boot time - Removed unwanted desktop icons | Elermore Vale |
| Ran chkdsk Ran malware check System rebooted with errors. Ran system restore. Flushed registry. Flushed temp files. System tested - OK | Nerang |
| System restored to last save point. Reset Passwords Tested OK | Hollywell |
| - Tested power supply unit for faults - Power supply operational - Identified motherboard as faulty - Removed hard disk drive to backup data | Belmont North |
| Installed Wireless Router. 4 Ports 2GB DDR2 667Mhz RAM Chip for Sara's Computer Networked MYOB. Setup Online Data Backup with www.carbonite.com All tested and working fine | Labrador |
| None genuine XP prof crashed. Windows vista business installed. Data transferred. | Church Hill |
| Fine Tuned a few problems with Internet explorer and a backup on the external hard drive. | Ashmore |
| Removed some rootkit virus. Virus was causing system restore points to be taken constantly. Also reconfigured page file to be appropriate to memory size. Upgrade to Windows 7 may help, but changing Nortons to Avast or other AV would make more of a difference. Fixed corrupted Outlook datafile | St Ives |
| Sorted out email issues with Telstra Created a work around with admin@danlan.com.au Removed lance@danlan.com.au from PC2. Removed Outlook Data file on PC2 and added to the Outlook Data File on PC1. Sorted out Printing issues through the network. | Yatala |