Portable Data Storage Devices
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Data recovery firm finds that portability leaves users vulnerable to data loss. | ||
| March 18th, 2005- Marietta GA, With the proliferation of solid-state and miniature data, video and music storage devices, from iPods to PDA's, digital cameras to so-called "keychain drives", it seems that where digital data is concerned, the old adage: "you can't take it with you," no longer applies. Whether for business or pleasure, consumers are becoming increasingly reliant on portability with convenient access to large amounts of data. The continuing evolution of "flash storage", micro-drives, and various forms of solid-state and non-volatile memory enables users to conveniently transport large amounts of data from one location to another. Yet, as many users have found, with portability comes vulnerability. | ||
| Cherry Systems, the Southeast's largest data recovery firm, is seeing a dramatic increase in the need for data recovery on portable storage devices. Vice-president Paul Mande comments: "We see more and more people who have lost crucial data on these devices. The important thing to remember is that these devices are not designed for long-term data storage, and it is a mistake to use them that way. However, even in cases of critical failure, if we are contacted quickly, there is often a good chance of recovery." Mande adds: "As always, it's important to back your files up properly, but even with the best back-up procedures, things can and will go wrong." "One of our most memorable cases involves a teary-eyed bride who had lost all her honeymoon pictures after going through airport security", says Mindy Barahona, Cherry Systems Service Advisor. "Fortunately she called right away, and we were able to recover every picture." While it is widely believed that airport screening machines won't affect digitally stored memory, x-ray radiation and static shock can pose a threat. In order to appreciate the likelihood of data loss from these portable devices, it is helpful to understand how they store data Non-volatile "flash" storage is found in solid-state drives, cellular phones, compact flash cards, digital cameras, MP3 audio recorders, and other such devices. This type of memory retains its data in memory chips that are written to and erased via electric charge. Although these chips are designed to retain data until erased, even when power is removed from the circuit, many things can corrupt or delete the stored data as well as destroy the access path to the data area. Strong electromagnetic fields, static shock, extreme temperatures, moisture, and normal component failure can cause problems. And because these devices are often associated with mobility, exercise, sports and athletic activities, physical damage can easily occur when they are jostled, dropped, bumped or otherwise subjected to rough handling. Some devices require power to maintain their content, which is why data must be "synched" or saved frequently, especially before changing the battery. Interestingly, the biggest threat to a PDA is loss or theft, and even the experts at Cherry Systems will not be able to recover your data if you no longer have the device in your possession. But, "if the problem is a physical malfunction, odds are good Cherry Systems can overcome failures in electronic components," relates Cherry Systems Data Recovery Engineer Jason Ball. He adds, "recently a doctor had a 'jump drive' with critical patient data on it that failed. We were able to recover all of it and prevented a major problem for him and his patients". | ||
| # # # For more information, please contact: paulm@cherrysystems.com |
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