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7 Key Email Marketing Tactics
Email is often described as the most effective marketing vehicle on the Internet today. Compared to banner advertising or other methods, targeted email marketing can deliver far better results at a much lower cost. It's also a very easy way to lose...
Backing Up Your Stuff Part 4: Preparing For Disaster
Okay, picture this ... your computer system has been destroyed by the most recent outbreak of the dreaded typhoid Mary virus. You never knew what hit you. One minute the system was fine. You received a nice email with an attachment which you opened,...
Comparing Data Recovery Software
Software programmers recognize the importance of data files, and thankfully, they have been able to create products that demonstrate their understanding of how often people accidentally delete or lose important data. Thanks to software programmers...
International Right of Way Association renews their gomembers’ Preferred Support Agreement
[Herndon, VA]--- gomembers, Inc. (http://www.gomembers.com) announced today that the International Right of Way Association (IRWA: http://www.irwaonline.org) has elected to renew its PSA (Preferred Support Agreement) for gomembers' pinnacle...
Lowering The Risks In Developing "Do-It-Yourself" Software Projects
Lowering The Risks In Developing "Do-It-Yourself" Software Projects by Phil McCutchen Marketing Manager, VCG, Inc. Mike Dunville* had a decision to make. As the new operations manager for Alpha Staffing, he wanted to make a difference at the...
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Your Hard Drive is Going to Explode – Why a UPS is Essential
It’s most peoples worst computing nightmare. You wake up in the morning, flip on the computer, and it doesn’t boot. Sometimes the problem rears its ugly head as a horrific clacking noise. Other times it simply gives a read error.
At this point, most people panic. The first thing you wonder is whether or not the data is recoverable. There is no universal answer to this. In some cases, a simple scan with some data recovery software is all that it takes to retrieve the contents of the drive. In other cases, if you want it badly enough, it will take thousands of dollars and a shipment of the drive to a clean lab where they will pull the platters inside of the drive and access them that way.
Now you’re probably wondering if there’s a way to prevent this from happening. Well, you’re in luck. Getting a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) is the very best and most effective way to prevent your data from pulling a disappearing act.
While it is not fool-proof, having something that regulates the electricity flowing into your computer can reduce the risk of a drive failure by up to 70%. This figure goes up to around 90% if the computer is being used while in an electrical storm. (My computer repair business always gets a little boost after a thunderstorm, courtesy of the lightning wreaking havoc on people’s hard drives.)
Don’t just run
out and get any UPS. You want to get an intelligent one. The ‘intelligent’ UPS will regulate the power without having to hit the battery every time the voltage takes a dip which greatly improves battery longevity. They also include options to hook the power supply up to your computer via a serial or USB port so you can monitor what the power is doing. This also gives the option to allow for a soft shut-down if the power goes out and you are away from your desk.
You can get an Uninterruptible Power Supply at most computer stores. Best Buy carries a fairly wide selection of them.
As for brands, I’ve personally used APC with much success. Opti-UPS is another excellent brand. In fact, I have an Opti that is 6 years old and still works fine, although the batteries now have no life to them. (That’s to be expected. Rechargeable batteries only last so long)
Now that you know of the importance of a UPS I would strongly encourage you to invest in one. It is far better to spend $100 now on some preventative maintenance than having to spend much more later on data recovery.
About the Author
Kevin Souter is a full time computer technician. He also operates some free spyware removal and computer repair websites.
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