How do you back up and recover data in computer repair?

1 Backup Methods

Data backup can be done in various ways, depending on the type, size, and location of the data, as well as the frequency and purpose of the backup. For example, full backup copies all the data from the source to the destination, such as an external hard drive, a cloud service, or a network drive. This method is comprehensive but time-consuming and space-consuming. Incremental backup only copies data that has changed since the last backup, either full or incremental. Differential backup is similar to incremental backup but requires less steps to restore the data. Lastly, mirror backup creates an exact replica of the source data on the destination and deletes any data that is not present on the source, which is useful for synchronizing data between devices but does not keep historical versions of the data.

2 Backup Tools

When performing data backup, you can use different tools depending on the operating system, the backup method, and the backup destination. For example, Windows Backup and Restore is a built-in feature of Windows that lets you create and manage full, incremental, or differential backups of your files, folders, or entire system. Mac Time Machine is another built-in feature of Mac OS that enables incremental backups to an external hard drive, a network drive, or a cloud service. Additionally, Linux rsync is a command-line tool that allows you to create and manage mirror backups to an external hard drive, a network drive, or a cloud service. Finally, there are cloud services such as Google Drive and iCloud that offer convenience, security, and scalability but may require internet connection and have storage limits or fees.

3 Recovery Methods

Data recovery can take many forms depending on the type, cause, and severity of the data loss. Restoring from a backup is the simplest and most reliable method of recovering data, as it involves copying it from the backup destination to the original location. You can also recover data that has been accidentally deleted by moving it from the recycle bin or trash to its original location. A more advanced and risky method is recovering data that has been corrupted, formatted, or overwritten. This involves scanning the file system for traces of the data and reconstructing it with specialized tools such as Recuva, TestDisk, or PhotoRec. When doing so, you must select the scan mode, file type, and recovery destination.

4 Recovery Tools

Data recovery can be performed using a variety of tools, depending on the operating system, the recovery method, and the data type. Windows Backup and Restore is a built-in feature of Windows that enables users to restore individual files, folders, or an entire system. Mac users can take advantage of Time Machine to restore lost data from a backup, while Linux users can use ddrescue for cloning or imaging a source disk. Third-party applications such as Recuva, TestDisk, PhotoRec, and EaseUS Data Recovery are also available for recovering deleted, formatted, corrupted, or lost data. These programs offer different features, modes, and filters to help you find what you need.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?