• What are the most common means of data loss?
• How do I prevent corruption?
• What is meant by "erasure."
• How do I recover from an erased file?
• What is meant by "power surges."
• How do I protect my computer from power surges?
• What other tips do you have for preventing data loss?

What are the most common means of data loss?

The most common means are through corruption, erasure, and power surges. What is meant by "data corruption?" Corruption is simply an undesired or unintentional change in a file's contents. This usually happens due to worn-out floppy or hard disks, malfunctioning (or "buggy") computer programs, or computer viruses.

How do I prevent corruption?

To prevent data corruption follow these three simple rules: 1. Change heavily-used floppy diskettes every six months and copy needed files to the new ones. 2. Avoid "Alpha" or "Beta" versions of software. These pre-released versions are good to "play with" new program features, but not good if you have to get work done or are working on the final draft of a big proposal. Bottom line--don't trust them. Sometimes even fully-released versions have bugs that can corrupt files. 3. Religiously use anti-viral software.

What is meant by "erasure."

Erasure is deleting a file either intentionally, but later deciding you needed it, or unintentionally, by getting a little too enthusiastic about making room for more files. I have personally erased hundreds of files accidentally, and know of few serious computer users who haven't done the same. Erasure can also include saving or copying a file with an identical name in the same file directory location. Finally, erasure can include "formatting" or "initializing" a disk that you weren't suppose to.

How do I recover from an erased file?

If you have simply deleted a file and haven't saved or created too many new files, there is a good likelihood that all is not lost. On a DOS, Windows, or Unix-based computer, when you delete a file, all that has been actually done is to change part of the filename and hide the file. This is called "tagging a file for removal." When a file is tagged, any new file created that needs disk space "writes" over these emptied drive sectors. Programs like "Undelete" that come on newer DOS or Windows-based systems find these tagged files and "recover" the information. Unfortunately, there are problems. If a new file was created and saved in a needed tagged sector, (and most programs create dozens of temporary files while you work), the deleted file cannot be recovered. Additionally, anytime you save or copy a file with the same name as an existing file in the same file directory it automatically overwrites the first file and nothing can be done to reverse the process. In addition to recovering a single file, it is sometimes possible to recover from an accidental formatting. There strict conditions in which formatting must have occurred in order to salvage the information, so check your computer operating system manual for more information.

What is meant by "power surges."

Power surges are fluctuation in electrical currents in your computer or its peripherals (attachments). Because you computer uses very low electrical currents to perform its functions, (that's one of the reasons it does so much so quickly), these surges can irreparably harm your computer's delicate components. The category of power surges include: "Brownouts," dips in current, "blackouts," complete stoppage of current, "surges," increases in current, and "spikes," dramatic increases in current, such as lightning strikes. I have seen many $3000 personal computers reduced to $3 scrap metal from indirect lightning strikes. You're probably quick to identify the most obvious place a surge can come from, the electrical outlet in which your computer is plugged. However, network connections and modem/phone lines are actually a more likely source for surges.

How do I protect my computer from power surges?

Get and use surge protectors for your modem, network and power connections. You need to know that the $8 to $12 dollar "power strips" you can buy at your local Wal-Mart or Target are not surge protectors. The better surge protectors will cost $50 to $120 dollars, include protection for power outlets and telephone line "RJ-11" jacks and even warrant all computer components connected. Some companies will pay up to $2000 for components damaged by surges, others pay for "unlimited damages." My laptop's surge protector even warrants against damages from "natural disasters, 'acts of God' and theft" (in the form of a mini insurance policy). Turn to the World Wide Web to find out more about surge protectors or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). Another tip that will extend the life of your computer and its components is to avoid turning on and off your computer several times a day. As a rule of thumb, it is better for your computer to remain on for four to six hours than to be turned off and on once. The monitor can be turned off if unused for two hours or more.

what other tips do you have for preventing data loss?

Other than the methods mentioned above, don't crush or fold diskettes, keep computers and diskettes in temperatures between 40 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, properly backup your data (discussed next week).