At some point in your computer service it will develop a hardware problem. One of the most common problem that occurs is the failure of a hard drive. This device stores not only the operating system but has while program applications and other important files. The drive can either be a mechanical device (hard drive) or a SSD, Solid State Drive. What every the type of device you use, it can be a terrifying moment as the realization you may have lost not only your computer, but valuable data you had stored on your computer. Hopefully, the drive will not be completely unrecoverable and a recovery of a back-up image can be created.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
We recommend once the drive begins to fail you should IMMEDIATELY stop using it. By doing so will give us the best chance in
recovering the drive. Custom Computer Consulting has compiled a list of WARNING SIGNS that indicate a possible hard drive failure. This information was compiled based on our own personal and business experience in dealing with drive failures. Refer to the information section of the website called “Drive Failure.”
HARD DRIVE 1:1 (Image Backup Procedure)
Any drive failure that Custom Computer Consulting receives is examine to determine if an exact duplication image can be retrieved from the drive. If successful we will be transfer all information onto a new drive. In the event we are unable to create image it will then be necessary to perform a FRESH install of the operating system. If the customer wishes us to attempt to recovery some data files, we can attempt to do so at this time, by performing a series of software recovery programs. The other choice depending on the importance of the data we can recommend specialize companies that offer advance recovery services. These service can be VERY EXPENSIVE but have good success in recovering the data.
If a FRESH install is warranted the following perimeter will be rendered
Residence
- Client’s Options (available):
a) Auto Login (No Username or Password Required/Client Option)
b) Assigning a username and password. - Others (information) include:
a) Computer Name (Client’s Name, followed by the YEAR)
b) User Privilege Level (Administrator)
c) Workgroup (Optional, unless it involves local area network)
Unless instructed by our clients the following will be setup on a fresh operating system install. This applies to Microsoft Operating Systems.
Username: <First, Last Name> (i.e. John Doe)
Password: <Year><Last Name, First Letter Capitalize> (i.e. 20xxDoe)
Computer Name: <First Name> <Year> (i.e. Linda2014)
User Privilege: Administrator Level
Workgroup: (Unassigned)
Business
For those with NO IT staff we will require the following information
- Assignment of Username and Password
- Privilege Level (administrator, system, everyone, or Client)
- Computer Name
- Workgroup Assignment (if any)
Note: In more elaborate set-ups it will require additional information from the client.
(30-Day Retention)
All defective drives that Custom Computer Consulting successfully recover including any backup image or data recovered all files we be retained for 30-days upon restoration. This includes any drives CCC performs FRESH OS INSTALL. The client has an option where NO retention of any data will be stored on our system. However, in the event the drive fails within the 30-day period it may be necessary to perform another FRESH OS INSTALL and there will be an ADDITIONAL CHARGE. During the 30-Day Retention should the client wish to obtain a copy of the recovered image, they can purchase it for a fee. The reason for a 30-Day Retention of the image is to allow for easy recovery in the event that the replacement drive becomes defective. This covers the time period for a full replacement of the drive where as a warranty covers only a working refurbished drive. After the 30-days the image will be deleted from our backup server.
Advantages
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Allows for quick recovery of the operating system without the need of a FULL OS REINSTALL |
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Less cost to recovery the system as it avoids all setup of prior installed software, any activation, or any peripherals device drivers connected to your computer. |
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It provides a clean install especially after a virus attack or a severally corrupted operating system or hardware failure has occurred. |
ADVISORY (RETAINING OLD DRIVE)
Custom Computer Consulting recommends that any successfully recovered data from a partial stabilize drive should be retained by the client for a short period before distorted. Unless otherwise instructed by our Client, Custom Computer Consulting will return all defective drives to our clients. The ONLY exception will be if the drive is within the warranty period and the client as requested it to be replaced under the manufacture warranty. A drive warranty period varies from 1 to 5 years. Consumer line products tend to run between 1 to 3 years while the commercial or enterprise line are 5 years.
WARRANTY PROCESS
All drives are warranted by Custom Computer Consulting for 30-days – including any transfer of the images or FRESH OS INSTALLs. The exception will be in the event the client wishes us to destroy the original recovery image. If unable to recovery an image from the defective drive we will then CHARGE it as a FRESH OS Install. After the 30-day from the invoice date the manufacture warranty applies. We recommend to all our clients that they have available after a FRESH OS INSTALL recovery image of at least the operating system in the event of a computer failure. It will cost less to recovery an image then have an entire FRESH OS INSTALL. Choosing the Correct Replacement Method Before making any decision it is important to determine how valuable is your time and the importance that your computer serves. For businesses a computer can be crucial to their everyday operation while home users tend to tolerate more of a delay. Another factor, do you have an alternate computer that can handle the temporary switch over. Custom Computer Consulting has listed below some of the options available to you. We’ll be happy to discuss with you options should the ones listed do not suit your needs.
If the drive is still under warranty our clients have the following options available (handling and processing charges may apply to any one of these options):
Replace Drive with a new drive (this method is the preferred by many clients). Depending on the time, we may recommend to our clients to wait for the new drive to be returned. This can take a few days depending on the priority of our customer. If you should choose to replace the drive immediately with a new one the replacement will be returned to you once it is received. You can either use it has a backup drive or for a service fee Custom Computer Consulting will transfer the image of your OLD computer onto the new drive – allowing you to have full backup of your operating system in the event it should fail again. Many choose to have it installed into a computer or use it has an external drive. Using the drive will can build you an external unit for use with your computer.
Advance Replacement Program is where the manufacture will send out a refurbish drive immediately and will credit the return of the defective drive when it is received. There is a cost associated with the Advance Replacement Program is non-refundable including the additional handling chargers. The drive usually arrives 1 to 3 days depending on the priority the client chooses.
Wait For the replacement This method involves the shipping of the drive back to the manufacture and awaiting a refurbish drive to be returned. It usually take approximately two weeks unless you use the Advance Replacement Program. Unfortunately, manufactured PCs (i.e. HP, Dell, and etc.) it will require the hard drive to be returned to the PC manufacture. This process tends to take the longest time. It can take up two weeks or more as it tends to be more involve as you are not dealing with the drives manufacture.
ALWAYS REMEMBER, additional time is needed to restore the operating system and any other support applications that are used by your computer. FACTORS that can effect recovery time in restoring a computer system involve the following factors.
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Can an image be successfully created from the damage hard drive? If so, this takes the lease amount of time. This is why
it is important once the drive begins to experience problems to have the drive replaced as soon as possible to avoid
permanent damage to the drive making a recovery more difficult, requiring specialize recovery services and money. |
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Is there a recovery or restored image disk available? Manufacture will provide for a small fee a recovery disk that can be purchased. This contains the operating system as well as the necessary drivers to support your computer system. The other options is that many manufacture will include on the computer hard drive a recovery image (within a protected/hidden partition). The problem with this method is the fact that if the drive is behind a level of recovery, the recovery partition could be damage or been usability. Its main purpose serves has a recovery in the event your operating system becomes unstable or corrupted making it unusable |
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Does the client have an Operating System DISK (Retail/OEM)? This disk contains the operating system used to install on your computer system. It can be either an OEM or RETAIL version. If manufactured it will be an OEM and be licensed for that computer ONLY. If it is Custom Built PCs it can be either an OEM or retail version of an operating system. In either cases there should be a copy that came with your computer system. Custom Built PCs tend to supply the operating system on the optical media. Manufactured computers the OS will be either contained on the computer hard drive and/or is available for a small fee on an optical media. It is important when purchasing any computer system to retain all information including any optical media that came with your computer system. If you no longer have the operating system you must then purchase another copy. Custom Computer Consulting will assist you in explaining the advantages between OEM vs. RETAIL so as to make the right decision that fights your need. |
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Access to Peripherals Support Software & Program Applications? It is important to keep all support software associated with all your peripherals. If part of the computer build we will install all devices prior to the computer being delivered. Custom Computer Consulting will install either one peripheral or program application that is not part of the actual computer build as part of the hookup. Any additional peripherals or applications a small charge will be applied. If the client does not have necessary software installation disks, many times, updates can be obtained from the manufacture site. Custom
Computer Consulting recommends anytime you do a FRESH install is to obtain the latest updated version of the program and/or drivers. Any programs stored on an optical disk need to be kept and those that were purchased online and
downloaded should be kept on a some form of media storage such as an optical disk, USB stick, external drive, or off-site (cloud service). Also, any necessary registration and unlocks codes should be kept on file to allow for easy installation. |
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Any Additional Services. This can include peripherals, smart devices, or any additional program applications that the client wishes us to install prior to delivery or during the final hookup of the computer system. |
In most cases, unless (FULL or INCREMENTAL) back-up is maintained, it will be necessary to install the operating system, any service pack updates, along with support software for the computer system. It does not include any of the peripherals support software and any prior applications installed by the user. This is why it is important to always maintain an update of all important data files related to your installed applications on a separate drive or an offline site or cloud service.
Drive Installation To assurance reliability all new drives prior to installation are burned tested. It is our help that if the drive is going to fail it will occur during these test. Drives normally will fail within 3 to 6 months in service. The stress test will cause either the drive to FAIL or provide good diagnostic feedback that will predict early failure. The larger capacity and faster drives tend to have higher failure rate. It is our experience that most drives fail within the first three months of operation.
Software Monitoring - SMART (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) which allows software to monitor various factors of the drives condition which can determine the likely hood of a drive failure. . Custom Computer Consulting installs on all drives replaced a software utility that will allow the monitoring of their newly installed drive. The software we install is Hard Disk Sentinel Pro (http://www.hdsentinel.com). It has a 30-day trial period and can be purchased should you chose to continue to use it. Custom Computer Consulting utilizes the program’s internal EMAIL alert notification. It will send out an alert directly to us should the drive begin to develop a problem within that 30-day period. If this should occur we will notify you by e-mail that a warning has been received. We will ONLY contact you if the problem warrants it. The criteria a specific problem becomes persist which threatens the stability of the drive or
For Further Information - HD/SS Drive Monitoring
REMEMBER, there is NO GUARANTEE it will detect a sudden melt down of a drive. It will hopefully, warn you in advance of the pending the DOOM. Our past experiences the software usually warns you prior to the drive failing. The length of time prior to the drive dying varies. The characteristics of the drive failing, an indication of Write Errors will begin to popup, accessibility to the drive may fail, and system may fail to boot.
Registering the Software – Hard Disk Sentinel Pro is a Trail software. It will remain activate for 30-days. If you decide to continue using the software you can purchased a registered copy on their website. Also, if you wish to continue to send us reports on your drives health, please feel free to do so. There is no additional service charge. This is a service will offer to all our client’s that we have installed hard drives.
Benefits -The software constantly monitors the health of the drive, temperature, performance degradation, and failures on both HDD and SDD, utilizing the SMART system built into most drive. It will test, diagnose and repair drive problems. Also, it measures disk transfer in real time which can be used a benchmark to detect possible hard disk failures, and performance degradation.
CCC - Recommends the following Hard Drive Maintenance
Custom Computer Consulting recommends to all our client's that they run periodically a drive maintenance program to prevent serious drive failure, resulting in loss of data, and service down time. By doing so it will detect faulty sectors, recovery files that may be contained in the drive's sectors, and identify those bad sectors so as not use it again. It is especial important as drive sizes are increase and allocation in cluster bits are becoming smaller in size, resulting in an increase failure rate. CCC recommends to our client's a program called SPINRITE. The time it takes depends on the option s the client chooses to use, the type of processes and the size of the dirve. It can take up to 24 hours to complete a full scan. This program can be run from the operating system environment or from a bootable CD or USB stick. This is especial important as drive are increase in size and the allocation in cluster bits are becoming smaller in size -- increasing the potential failure rate.
CCC - Service Time
Service Time will vary it will depend on type of installation and if any recovery is made of the OS.
CCC - To Schedule a Service (Select the appropriate ICON from the sidebar)
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Last Updated on: 05/16/2015 2:37
