Branded hard drives are much better than non-branded hard drives, but they are no guarantee against data loss. You need to understand how data is lost from hard disks before you can make full use of the ten tips to prevent data loss that are given below.

Data can be lost on account of any one of the following reasons:

1. The hard disk is corrupted by viruses.
2. Hard drives get corrupted or damaged during an upgrade.
3. Sometimes there may be data loss when a hard drive is being formatted
4. Multiple hard drive failures in a RAID array too can lead to data loss.
5. Hard drives can get physically damaged in accidents or on account of careless handling.
6. Sometimes nature lends a hand in the form of natural disaster like flash floods and lightning that may damage the hard drive.

Fortunately, there are ways to fight data loss. These make it possible for you to save your data when your drive malfunctions. Here are ten tips that you can follow:

1. Take periodic back-ups of your critical files. CDs are a small investment compared to what it may cost you to lose priceless data.

2. Store your backup data at a different geographical location. This way, if you have a disaster like a fire at your office both your hard disk and backups will not go up in flames.

3. Install an Anti-Virus Program to keep your system virus-free.

4. Use power surge protectors. A sudden surge in power can potentially cause a hard disk failure.

5. Never try to install, investigate or repair hard disks if you do not have experience in the field. You may cause more damage.

6. Remember to quit all applications before shutting down. Applications save data automatically before quitting. If you shut down without exiting your applications, you run the risk of losing your data.

7. Never use diagnostic programmes to repair hard drive problems. More so, if you feel that the problem in your hard drive has been caused by an electrical or mechanical failure.

8. Keep your computers and servers in locations where they are not likely to face physical hardships.

9. Most disk utility packages have a function that lets you retrieve an erased file. However it must be used immediately, because your computer will quickly write new data over the deleted file.

10. Windows operating systems store deleted files in the recycle bin. These can be restored as long as the recycle bin has not been emptied. This can be a useful back up if your system has been giving problems.

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