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Data Recovery, Data Erasure and Repairing Virus Damage

Have you ever needed to recover data, or erase data for security purposes, or deal with virus damage to a hard drive?

Most technicians know of software that with a push of the button will automatically recover data.

There are also various 'data erasure' tools available that will erase data to certain levels, and virus damage can be resolved by reformatting and reinstalling all the software.

However, some technicians are not aware of any solution to handle all the above, and do it with complete safety and with certainty in the results.

You see, the problem with automatic data recovery programs is that you usually get only one chance to recover the data. If you run one of the automatic programs it's a 50/50 chance it will work and once it's run, that's it. If the program does not work the first time, you may not get another chance. The data is destroyed.

Similarly with data erasure programs - to what level are they actually erasing the data - what guarantee is that that it cannot be recovered?

So - is there another solution? Well, yes, there is!

What about virus damage caused to hard drives - does this automatically require a complete reformat and reinstallation of all the software?

No, it doesn't!

For fear of sounding like we're blowing our own trumpet, the fact is this - you can use MicroScope to resolve these, and many other problems, that any technician might run across, and it does it in a fraction of the time and often at less cost!

Many people don't realise is that Microscope is NOT just a diagnostic tool - it contains a wide range of other utilities, including a solution for enabling you to recover or erase data and for repairing damage caused by viruses.

DATA RECOVERY -

Micro-Scope will not do an automatic data recovery, it has a 'Fix Disk Editor' that will allow you to display and edit any section of the drive. Even hidden partitions that other programs could never see.

Advanced search functions will allow you to define a physical range to searches for information on the drive. Including being able to create image files off of a hidden partition called the COMMAND REGISTER where you can find all the factory information like the master boot record.

These image files can be mirror on to other sectors to rebuild the damaged part of the drive. So the technician does not have to know how to write FAT 32 or NTSF file structures. Also Micro-Scope is not limited to the 65,000 cylinders.

What Micro-Scope does provide is a disk editor that allows you to scan, display (and change if necessary) any portion of the hard drive contents including hidden partitions and sectors. In skilled hands, it is possible to rebuild the FAT and perform other recovery functions without risking the loss of all data.

VIRUS DAMAGE -

The 'Fixed Disk Sector Editor' in Micro-Scope allows you to view and modify any data anywhere on the surface of the platter – even those reserved areas that are normally off limits to DOS utilities, like track Zero, for example. That is very handy if you have to do any repair or reconstruction of the Master Boot Record or Partition Tables, perhaps due to a virus contamination.

In fact one of the menu items in Micro-Scope is called 'Rebuild Master Boot' and it is a completely automatic function. We include this function since about 80% of the common viruses attach themselves to the Master Boot Record.

Micro-Scope does a destructive low level format, just on Sector 0 to wipe out the virus and then it automatically writes a DOS Master Boot Record in its place. The entire procedure takes less than a second and provides for instant access to the data on the drive.

DATA ERASURE & LOW LEVEL FORMAT -

With Micro-Scope you can do a true factory low-level format on any drive type, regardless of the size, make or model, even SCSI and IDE drives. Also if track Zero is damaged it will relocate track zero and fix those drives.

The difference between Micro-Scope low-level format and other diagnostics low-level format is.

A. Other diagnostics use a bios call to perform there low level Format routine. This routine is the reason why drive manufactures print on the side of the drives (DO NOT PERFORM A LOW LEVEL FORMAT. SEND BACK TO MANUFACTURE)

B. Bios low-level formats only have the capability to get rid of the indexing system. The information can still be recovered. So for security purposes this is not good. Not to mention that the old registries are still on the drive. This is what will cause the drive to crash again.

C. Micro-Scope's low-level format is a factory style low-level format. Micro Scope can first do a secure wipe of the drive by writing zeros to the entire drive not being limited to any partitions that other utility cannot see.

D. Then to reinitialize the drive back to the factory specifications. Micro-Scope will communicate with the drives command Register where the information exist to bring the drive back to the factory specs and if there is a virus on track zero. Micro-Scope will relocate track zero.

The low-level format routine is what got Micro 2000 a GSA contract with the USA government. The ability to declassify a hard drive.

Click on the following link to find out more about using Micro-Scope and reduce the risk and time spent on these key functions time and time again!!

Don't take the risk of losing data, or having someone else recover your company's data or spend hours reformatting and reinstalling - just use Microscope!

Disclaimer - The Micro 2000 Tech Tip is a free service providing information only. While we use reasonable care to see that this information is correct, we do not guarantee it for accuracy, completeness or fitness for a particular purpose. Micro 2000, Inc. shall not be liable for damages of any kind in connection with the use or misuse of this information.