Digital horror

[BillyLitt]

This is rather embarrassing. I'm a techie and I'm the guy that everyone calls for computer problems. I always preach to my family, friends and neighbors to backup your digital photography.

I have a server setup in my home and I have a Raid 1 setup that contains all my pictures. In common terms, I have two 500GB hard drives and they are a mirror image of each other. I never thought it could happen to me and thought that setup was good enough. Wrong!!!

Well, my server crashed the other day and I cannot view my Raid meaning I can't get to my pictures!!!

I tried everything and I ended up sending the drives out to a data recovery company. The good thing is I don't have to pay a dime unless they can pull my data. If they can, it starts at $800!!!

Lesson learned. Make sure you have at least two copies of your important files on separate media (external hard drives, DVDs, etc.)

Another level of protection is to keep a copy of the files on an internet company for data storage. The company I chose charges $15 a month for 50GB of drive space and you can buy extra if needed.

In case of a fire or some other catastrophe, you have a safe copy away from your home.

Learn from my mistake!!!!

I'm crossing my fingers and if anyone believes in prayer, throw one my way!!!!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Stupid question, are you 100% sure it's not just the raid controller? If they can't get anything, try Ontrack. I think they are still in NJ and are the best I've ever dealt with.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Just a thought for later down the line. Once in a while take a 3rd empty drive and replace one of the mirrored drives. After it does the data replication, put the other original back in the server and use the 3rd one as your safety backup. Store it at a relatives in a safe place.