Computer Disasters

zippyjuan · 11-15-2004, 01:14 AM

Last Updated: Sunday, 14 November, 2004, 08:31 GMT From the BBC

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How to smash a home computer

It's a bad idea to leave your laptop on top of your car
An executive who froze his broken hard disk thinking it would be fixed has topped a list of the weirdest computer mishaps.
Although computer malfunctions remain the most common cause of file loss, data recovery experts say human behaviour still is to blame in many cases.

They say that no matter how effective technology is at rescuing files, users should take more time to back-up and protect important files.

The list of the top 10 global data disasters was compiled by recovery company Ontrack.

Click 'Yes' for catastrophe

Human error, including 'computer rage', seems to be a growing problem

Adrian Palmer, Ontrack Data Recovery
Careless - and preventable - mistakes that result in data loss range from reckless file maintenance practices to episodes of pure rage towards a computer.

This last category includes the case of a man who became so mad with his malfunctioning laptop that he threw it in the lavatory and flushed a couple of times.

"Data can disappear as a result of natural disaster, system fault or computer virus, but human error, including 'computer rage', seems to be a growing problem," said Adrian Palmer, managing director of Ontrack Data Recovery.

OH NO, MY FILES!
One user put his hard drive in a freezer, after reading on the internet that this can fix malfunctioning hardware

When tidying up his computer folders, one user inadvertently deleted the ones he meant to keep. He only realised he'd made the mistake after emptying the recycle bin and defragging the hard drive

While a large office was being constructed, a steel beam fell on a laptop that contained the plans for the building.

A female user placed her laptop on top of her car while getting in. Forgetting about the laptop, it slid off the roof and she then reversed straight over it as she set off
Source: Ontrack Data Recovery

"Nevertheless, victims soon calm down when they realise the damage they've done and come to us with pleas for help to retrieve their valuable information."

A far more common situation is when a computer virus strikes and leads to precious files being corrupted or deleted entirely.

Mr Palmer recalled the case of a couple who had hundreds of pictures of their baby's first three months on their computer, but managed to reformat the hard drive and erase all the precious memories.

"Data can be recovered from computers, servers and even memory cards used in digital devices in most cases," said Mr Palmer.

"However, individuals and companies can avoid the hassle and stress this can cause by backing up data on a regular basis."
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More tales: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3193366.stm

DarkFury · 11-15-2004, 10:32 AM

Heh.. there are folk on G|A that recommend freezing a hard drive to get data off of it.

Besides, this is why I preach, Ghost your data and store it away from the PC if possible. If not, then create partitions and store it away from your main operating system drive.

Live and learn.

Jeffbx · 11-15-2004, 11:55 AM

Yeah, I don't know why they would list freezing as a disaster - I've done it myself & it works. Cooler electronics=more stable. Anyone who overclocks knows that.

DF, you hit it on the head - the biggest disaster are the idiots who don't think about backing up data until AFTER they lose it.

Maarchk · 11-15-2004, 02:37 PM

Waaaa, im one of those idiots.. hehe but i like the freezing idea. It has worked a couple times for me. I dont get why its bad? Unless he just left the whole computer in a moist freeezer. Then it could be bad.

bachviet · 11-15-2004, 04:48 PM

Backing up data??? What kind of nonsense are you guys talking about?

Bires · 11-15-2004, 06:39 PM

Hmm...it doesn't mention anything about how to keep your cup holder from breaking...

11-15-2004, 01:14 AM	#1
zippyjuan Picture of the Day Guru Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 8,756	Computer Disasters Last Updated: Sunday, 14 November, 2004, 08:31 GMT From the BBC E-mail this to a friend Printable version How to smash a home computer It's a bad idea to leave your laptop on top of your car An executive who froze his broken hard disk thinking it would be fixed has topped a list of the weirdest computer mishaps. Although computer malfunctions remain the most common cause of file loss, data recovery experts say human behaviour still is to blame in many cases. They say that no matter how effective technology is at rescuing files, users should take more time to back-up and protect important files. The list of the top 10 global data disasters was compiled by recovery company Ontrack. Click 'Yes' for catastrophe Human error, including 'computer rage', seems to be a growing problem Adrian Palmer, Ontrack Data Recovery Careless - and preventable - mistakes that result in data loss range from reckless file maintenance practices to episodes of pure rage towards a computer. This last category includes the case of a man who became so mad with his malfunctioning laptop that he threw it in the lavatory and flushed a couple of times. "Data can disappear as a result of natural disaster, system fault or computer virus, but human error, including 'computer rage', seems to be a growing problem," said Adrian Palmer, managing director of Ontrack Data Recovery. OH NO, MY FILES! One user put his hard drive in a freezer, after reading on the internet that this can fix malfunctioning hardware When tidying up his computer folders, one user inadvertently deleted the ones he meant to keep. He only realised he'd made the mistake after emptying the recycle bin and defragging the hard drive While a large office was being constructed, a steel beam fell on a laptop that contained the plans for the building. A female user placed her laptop on top of her car while getting in. Forgetting about the laptop, it slid off the roof and she then reversed straight over it as she set off Source: Ontrack Data Recovery "Nevertheless, victims soon calm down when they realise the damage they've done and come to us with pleas for help to retrieve their valuable information." A far more common situation is when a computer virus strikes and leads to precious files being corrupted or deleted entirely. Mr Palmer recalled the case of a couple who had hundreds of pictures of their baby's first three months on their computer, but managed to reformat the hard drive and erase all the precious memories. "Data can be recovered from computers, servers and even memory cards used in digital devices in most cases," said Mr Palmer. "However, individuals and companies can avoid the hassle and stress this can cause by backing up data on a regular basis." -------------------------------------------------------- More tales: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3193366.stm __________________ I add new pictures to my photo gallery pretty regularly. You can see them here if you are interested: http://www.pbase.com/jeffryz Last edited by zippyjuan : 11-15-2004 at 01:17 AM.

11-15-2004, 10:32 AM	#2
DarkFury Secretary of the Navy Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Chillin' N Da 'Hood Posts: 34,997	Heh.. there are folk on G\|A that recommend freezing a hard drive to get data off of it. Besides, this is why I preach, Ghost your data and store it away from the PC if possible. If not, then create partitions and store it away from your main operating system drive. Live and learn. __________________ DarkFury's Pimptopia - Don't Hate the Playa, Hate the Game! Home of the Original OG Pimp (accept NO imitations)

11-15-2004, 02:37 PM	#4
Maarchk Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Where the east meets the west. Posts: 3,066	Waaaa, im one of those idiots.. hehe but i like the freezing idea. It has worked a couple times for me. I dont get why its bad? Unless he just left the whole computer in a moist freeezer. Then it could be bad. __________________ "The girl is crafty like ice is cold." "I left my heart in san francisco... And my liver at Moe's Tavern." A real friend is one who listens to you as much as they talk to you.

11-15-2004, 04:48 PM	#5
bachviet What's Da Pho*? Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SoCal (714) Posts: 13,296	Backing up data??? What kind of nonsense are you guys talking about? __________________ Dell Dimension 9200 \| Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4GHz) \| 4x1GB DDR2 \| 256MB nVidia GeForce 8800GT Dell Studio 17 \| Intel Core i7-720QM (1.6GHz) \| 2x2GB DDR3 1066MHz \| 1GHz ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 Intel P4-C 3.0GHz \| ECS 865PE-A \| 3x512MB PC3200 \| 128MB PNY GeForce 6600GT

11-15-2004, 06:39 PM	#6
Bires Admiral Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 5,064	Hmm...it doesn't mention anything about how to keep your cup holder from breaking... __________________ Five years...

11-15-2004, 11:55 AM	#3
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	Yeah, I don't know why they would list freezing as a disaster - I've done it myself & it works. Cooler electronics=more stable. Anyone who overclocks knows that. DF, you hit it on the head - the biggest disaster are the idiots who don't think about backing up data until AFTER they lose it.

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