Impact trauma is another cause. This is caused when a hard disk falls to the ground with a thud and the collision damages its sensitive components. Data storage devices also stop working due to normal wear and tear over the years. Then there is damage to the surface of the media, such as by getting soaked in water or due to exposure to a heat source.

Software errors also cause data loss. The most common of these is accidental deletion of files by the user and emptying of Recycle Bin. Then there are virus attacks. Most of these viruses and their derivates such as Trojans and worms these days enter a computer system through the Internet as email attachments. Sometimes, the software code gets corrupted and the operating system is unable to open a file. Accidentally reformatting a storage media is another cause of data loss. Data disasters, both natural and man-made, also inflict massive damage to digital devices in all parts of the world.

Data loss whenever it occurs is quite a painful experience that nobody wants to go through again. It leads to tremendous inconvenience and financial losses. Indeed, every year many companies file for bankruptcy because they are unable to bear the consequences of losing all their vital data abruptly. When you lose data, you want to get it back as soon as possible without any loss of time so that business continues as usual.

For minor software errors such as accidental deletion of files or even reformatting of the storage media such as a hard disk or optical disk, you can buy any DIY recovery software from the Internet and proceed on your own to recover the files. This is a very quick, easy and inexpensive way to get back on your feet after you have been hit by data loss.

However, this method won't work when there are serious software errors such as file corruption or there is some problem with the hardware. In these cases, you have no option but to take the media to a professional data recovery company whose technicians will painstakingly extract your files.

The professional data recovery market is very competitive. There are many companies out there trying to lure the customers with new offers and schemes. Which one shall you go for? To zero in on a company that you can trust with recovery of your precious data, you have to judge it on various parameters.

The first thing you should check regarding any data recovery company is the infrastructure it has. The most important facility to look for is the clean room. This is a room that is air-tight and closed from all sides. All entry and exit points are tightly controlled. Clean room is essential if the company has to disassemble hard disks and carry out hardware repairs. Also, check if the company does the recovery itself or does it outsource part of the work to some other outfit to save on costs. A good recovery company has the capability to meet any data recovery situation in-house.

Do not go to a company which does not offer a free media evaluation. Such an evaluation is very reassuring for the customer since one knows in advance how much data can be recovered, how much time it will take and how much money it will cost. This prevents nasty surprises later once you get the bill. Another thing that you should keep in mind is that the company should have a ?no recovery, no charge? policy. It should not be levying any processing charges if its technical team is unable to recover the data that you wanted.

As a rule, the more the number of years a company has been in business, the more experience it will have and the more competent its technical staff would be. Avoid outfits which have recently opened for business, unless they give you an offer that you just cannot refuse.

Many cases of data recovery require opening a hard disk and carrying out repairs to its components. If that is the case with you, do ensure beforehand that the procedure will not void original manufacturer's warranty. Also, enquire if the recovery company has some well-know and high-profile clients. This is a sign that it has earned itself a good reputation and credibility in the market.