Secure your hard drive, speed it up, save lost data, and extend its lifespan with our free tools. In addition, we have valuable tips for you that can save your hard drive from a crash. For the hard drive recovery this is important.
Find out the life of the hard drive
Every user wants to know how long he can still trust his hard drive. SMART data provides information. Each hard disk stores SMART data that provides information about the condition of the disk. With tools like CrystalDiskInfo read the data? The English language program contains a three-level system from Good over Caution to Bad. If your hard drive is classified as a bad, it’s high time to take care of a backup and a new purchase. This hard drive seems to be doing quite well, according to a look at the SMART data.
Make slower HDD faster
Does your hard disk take a long time to start Windows or to open files? Often, it brings something to clean up an overly busy disk. In addition to the disk cleanup of Windows, there are programs like the free version of CCleaner. The tool scans the system for garbage and cleans it up.
Multiple partitions make tidying up easier
The separation of system and data on different partitions facilitates the creation of backups. The primary partition should nevertheless be at least 100 to 200 GB in size. As of Windows 7, the disk management of Windows is available for shrinking and enlarging partitions. Of course, Gparted will help with XP machines only after you have backed up your data as described in the Backup and Transfer section.
For backup, create backups
You have two options for backing up your data: You can copy and save either the entire system partition or even the entire hard disk of your computer. One speaks in this case of an image. For example, the freeware Drive Image XML produces such images. On the other hand, you can back up files and folders individually if need be, all files on your computer. This is called file-based backup. The free Cobian Backup is such a tool that works only file based. Backup is an example of a file-based backup. Save your important files to an external hard drive.
Save and restore files
They were always careful, and yet it happened: they lost data. Now you should not write anything to disk anymore. This means, for example, that you are no longer allowed to install rescue programs or virus scanners. Further work is prohibited. In any case, also let surfing the Internet.
If Windows is still running, tools like the portable version of Recuva will help you save deleted data. PC Inspector File Recovery verspreicht, and data from deleted or the quick format to make formatted partitions readable again.
Restore System with System Rescue CD
But what happens when Windows stops working? If you cannot repair the system even with onboard resources, you can access a Linux tool such as the System Rescue CD. For example, burn the System Rescue CD-ISO to a CD with ImgBurn. When the system starts, you will see a command line with help text. To open the graphical user interface, enter startx. See the graphical interface with Terminal window and taskbar; connect your rescue media USB stick or external hard drive.