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Your Hard Drive is Going to Explode - Why a UPS is Essential
Article By: Kevin Souter
It's most peoples worst computing nightmare. You wake up in the morning, flip on the computer, and it doesn't boot. Sometimes the problem rears its ugly head as a horrific clacking noise. Other times it simply gives a read error.
At this point, most people panic. The first thing you wonder is whether or not the data is recoverable. There is no universal answer to this. In some cases, a simple scan with some data recovery software is all that it takes to retrieve the contents of the drive. In other cases, if you want it badly enough, it will take thousands of dollars and a shipment of the drive to a clean lab where they will pull the platters inside of the drive and access them that way.
Now you're probably wondering if there's a way to prevent this from happening. Well, you're in luck. Getting a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) is the very best and most effective way to prevent your data from pulling a disappearing act.
While it is not fool-proof, having something that regulates the electricity flowing into your computer can reduce the risk of a drive failure by up to 70%. This figure goes up to around 90% if the computer is being used while in an electrical storm. (My computer repair business always gets a little boost after a thunderstorm, courtesy of the lightning wreaking havoc on people's hard drives.)
Don't just run out and get any UPS. You want to get an intelligent one. The 'intelligent' UPS will regulate the power without having to hit the battery every time the voltage takes a dip which greatly improves battery longevity. They also include options to hook the power supply up to your computer via a serial or USB port so you can monitor what the power is doing. This also gives the option to allow for a soft shut-down if the power goes out and you are away from your desk.
You can get an Uninterruptible Power Supply at most computer stores. Best Buy carries a fairly wide selection of them.
As for brands, I've personally used APC with much success. Opti-UPS is another excellent brand. In fact, I have an Opti that is 6 years old and still works fine, although the batteries now have no life to them. (That's to be expected. Rechargeable batteries only last so long)
Now that you know of the importance of a UPS I would strongly encourage you to invest in one. It is far better to spend $100 now on some preventative maintenance than having to spend much more later on data recovery.
At this point, most people panic. The first thing you wonder is whether or not the data is recoverable. There is no universal answer to this. In some cases, a simple scan with some data recovery software is all that it takes to retrieve the contents of the drive. In other cases, if you want it badly enough, it will take thousands of dollars and a shipment of the drive to a clean lab where they will pull the platters inside of the drive and access them that way.
Now you're probably wondering if there's a way to prevent this from happening. Well, you're in luck. Getting a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) is the very best and most effective way to prevent your data from pulling a disappearing act.
While it is not fool-proof, having something that regulates the electricity flowing into your computer can reduce the risk of a drive failure by up to 70%. This figure goes up to around 90% if the computer is being used while in an electrical storm. (My computer repair business always gets a little boost after a thunderstorm, courtesy of the lightning wreaking havoc on people's hard drives.)
Don't just run out and get any UPS. You want to get an intelligent one. The 'intelligent' UPS will regulate the power without having to hit the battery every time the voltage takes a dip which greatly improves battery longevity. They also include options to hook the power supply up to your computer via a serial or USB port so you can monitor what the power is doing. This also gives the option to allow for a soft shut-down if the power goes out and you are away from your desk.
You can get an Uninterruptible Power Supply at most computer stores. Best Buy carries a fairly wide selection of them.
As for brands, I've personally used APC with much success. Opti-UPS is another excellent brand. In fact, I have an Opti that is 6 years old and still works fine, although the batteries now have no life to them. (That's to be expected. Rechargeable batteries only last so long)
Now that you know of the importance of a UPS I would strongly encourage you to invest in one. It is far better to spend $100 now on some preventative maintenance than having to spend much more later on data recovery.
Kevin Souter is a full time computer technician. He also operates some free spyware removal and computer repair websites.
Uninterruptible Power Supply Resources
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The Dyer County E911 Board on Tuesday discussed the renovation of the call centers in Dyersburg, at the sheriff's department and Newbern and approved a gift for dispatchers.
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Trench IGBTs Minimize Power Dissipation. (ThomasNet)
Designed to reduce power dissipation up to 30% in UPS and solar inverter applications up to 3 kW, 600 V Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors utilize field stop trench technology to minimize conduction and switching losses, and are optimized for switching at 20 kHz. Co-packaged with ultrafast soft recovery diodes, series has lower collector-to-emitter saturation voltage and total switching energy ...
Designed to reduce power dissipation up to 30% in UPS and solar inverter applications up to 3 kW, 600 V Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors utilize field stop trench technology to minimize conduction and switching losses, and are optimized for switching at 20 kHz. Co-packaged with ultrafast soft recovery diodes, series has lower collector-to-emitter saturation voltage and total switching energy ...
Active Power Appoints James DeVenny To Board Of Directors (Business Wire Via Yahoo! Finance)
AUSTIN, Texas----Active Power, Inc. , inventor and manufacturer of the most energy-efficient critical power systems in the world, today announced it has appointed James E. deVenny III to its board of directors. deVenny was most recently the co-founder, president and CEO of Dallas-based Dataside LLC, a provider of outsourced data center and network services. deVenny brings extensive business and ...
AUSTIN, Texas----Active Power, Inc. , inventor and manufacturer of the most energy-efficient critical power systems in the world, today announced it has appointed James E. deVenny III to its board of directors. deVenny was most recently the co-founder, president and CEO of Dallas-based Dataside LLC, a provider of outsourced data center and network services. deVenny brings extensive business and ...
Beware Of Hard Disks In Storage (The Charlotte Observer)
Q. In an earlier column you were asked, "For how many years might a hard drive retain data if stored in a climate-controlled environment?" The problem was that you never answered this question, but did answer several others. Hard-drive storage is my backup plan and I would love to know your thoughts. In some ways the question doesn't have a direct answer. That's because hard disks really ...
Q. In an earlier column you were asked, "For how many years might a hard drive retain data if stored in a climate-controlled environment?" The problem was that you never answered this question, but did answer several others. Hard-drive storage is my backup plan and I would love to know your thoughts. In some ways the question doesn't have a direct answer. That's because hard disks really ...
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With web-based I/O configuration and monitoring, self-calibrating analog I/O, and OEM customizable components/labeling, EtherTRAK-2 features RS483 and USB Ethernet ports with MAC and IP addresses, allowing 2 module connections to independent networks. ISO9001, CUL, UL DNV, CE, FCC, and RoHS rated module has operating temperature range of -40 to 75°C. Compact enclosure snap-locks into wiring ...
With web-based I/O configuration and monitoring, self-calibrating analog I/O, and OEM customizable components/labeling, EtherTRAK-2 features RS483 and USB Ethernet ports with MAC and IP addresses, allowing 2 module connections to independent networks. ISO9001, CUL, UL DNV, CE, FCC, and RoHS rated module has operating temperature range of -40 to 75°C. Compact enclosure snap-locks into wiring ...
