Hard Disk Recovery

  RAID data recovery, over the years, has become increasingly more complex.  With the advent of personal computers now shipping with RAID zero as default, RAID cards becoming extremely affordable, and several operating systems offering file system managers that will allow for RAID configurations, it has become apparent to this technician that some type of assistance for the end user is in order.  We can no longer assume that RAIDs are only for large corporations because their data needs are different than the home user.  A point in fact is that World of Warcraft from Blizzard will run better on a RAID zero setup than a standard single drive configuration since the game is so disk intensive.  RAID zero is designed to accelerate disk throughput and thereby enhance your gaming experience.

  That being said, what tool does the end user have to help them with a cranky RAID? The tool must be able to number one, find the problem with their RAID, and number two, define what steps may they take to recover their data from that array.  Data recovery for an array is extremely expensive and the pricing resides in the neighborhood $1500.00 to $2000.00 per drive in the array. However, if the end user can define their problem, and relate that clearly to a technician it can lower the costs.  I know that I myself have worked out special packages with end users if they assist in some of the labor and shoulder some of the risks.  Over eighty percent of the RAIDs that I work on never see a physical lab.  I use my own set of software tools, as well as my own experience to recover the RAIDs that I work on. 

  I now offer you that same set of tools.  I am designing, programming, and implementing a set of data recovery tools that anyone can can use to help diagnose a faulty RAID array.  This set of tools will mirror my set that I use here everyday.  In fact, I will end up using this tool as my everyday recovery aid in as much as there will be enchancements that I have always wanted to put in the software but have never had the time.  Since this project has become a priority, I can now dedicate the time to make a very comprehensive RAID Diagnostic Tool Kit. 

  The software will be released in segments.  As I finish a new function, I will update the software, update this blog with an explanation of the function, and offer another post explaining how the new function is used in the context of a real life scenario.  It is my hope to introduce a new function every week.

  Lastly, this tool will be free of charge.  I will not ask for any money for the tool, you can download it free from the website.  I will also offer a limited amount of free technical support.  I would like to caveat that statement by saying I will make the determination of the meaning of the word ‘limited’. You see, I must rein my own curiosity in from time to time as every new problem that you, my end users present, offers a wonderful opportunity to solve the mystery and ultimately help you get your data back.  Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it keeps me up at nights!   

  I hope this will help the RAID community.  There are thousands of RAIDs in service right now, I hope my RAID Diagnostic Tool Kit will serve you well.

Dick Correa