01 March 2011
Data recovery companies like Kingdom Data Recovery usually find our hands full at the start of difficult seasons. The bitter cold of winter and the scorching heat of summer are not uncommon culprits behind data damage. In addition to hard drives being mechanical and prone to general wear, tear and all other mechanical accidents, they are also prone to being harmed by extreme weather conditions.
One culprit of hard drives being damaged by cold weather are when laptops and PC’s are left in car boots overnight
Summer heat can lead to overheating which, in turn, can lead to hard drive failure and ultimately, loss of your data. To protect your computer and its data, you should have a deliberate and efficient cooling system for your computer. Work in a well-ventilated, air-conditioned room and use those cooling fans for your laptops.
Lightning storms can render a fatal blow to your hard drive. The sudden sharp surge in electrical current is especially damaging to your computer. Using a surge protector, (specialist plug boards), between your power source and computer’s power cable can eradicate this problem. Additionally, a UPS or Uninterrupted Power Supply can handle power fluctuations associated with lightning storm. These devices give you extended time to shut your computer down properly during such times when power fluctuations are frequent.
Winter cold can also harm your computer hard drive. There is always a recommended storage temperature for most computer hardware which are not always adhered to. Operating in very low temperature may result in erratic functions which in time may lead to corruption and loss of your data.
Another all-too-common culprit of hard drives being damaged by cold weather are when laptops and PC’s are left in car boots overnight.
Shifts in temperature and humidity levels, as when transferring your computer from a very low temperature to a very high one or vice versa, can also wreak havoc to your computer. These temperature shifts may cause the delicate materials inside to contract or expand, which can disturb the efficacy even if the change in dimension is only in terms of millimeters. Additionally, condensation in the inside may occur when your laptop comes from out in the cold and then brought inside. When you have to carry your laptop to a vastly different temperature level, do not power it on immediately. Let it sit for about an hour before turning it on.
