Hard Drive Failure. Now what?

[Skribblez]

I'm currently hosted on a VPS server with Galaxy Solutions, but just last night I was informed of a hard drive failure.

This morning they said the DC couldn't recover the data, and now they are trying to recover the data themselves. Right now I'm assuming that if the DC can't recover it, then there isn't much of a chance of it being recovered at all.

I've put in countless hours and dedicated so much of my time to my sites, something which certainly cannot be compensated for. I would like to exhaust any possible way to recover the data.

Can anyone recommend what I should do in a situation like this? Would it be advisable to consult a data recovery specialist?

The cost doesn't matter. I'm extremely frustrated, annoyed, and confused because of all this. Just like that, all my work is gone.

Any advice would be appreciated.

P.S I did have backups, but they were on the same server.

 

[serverorigin]

Backing up on the same server proves to be of no use in situations like these...

Considering this is a VPS then I highly doubt that the hosting company will provide you with the hard drive to send off to a data recovery company. (Due to customer data shared on the drive)

Nothing I can recommend other than asking why Galaxy did not have backups dumped off-server. Next time, I would recommend buying an account with someone like Dreamhost who provides tons of space with hourly backups for backing up your sites to a different datacenter. Otherwise, I would recommend going with a host that allows VPS backups and actually dumps the backup data to a SAN or offsite server.

Sadly, I don't think there is anything you can do in a situation like this....Other than hope that Galaxy can have better luck at recovering the data. You can possibly recover some of your websites that were up if they weren't fully PHP/scripted -- you may can get some of the sites back from waybackmachine.org. Sorry for your loss =(

Good luck!

 

[Darknight]

NEVER backup sites on the same server :| it makes the "backup" totaly worthless
There is nothing you can do if the HDD is stuffed
You may be upset but it is your fult, No one elses...
I keep importent data on the server then a copy on my PC then a copy on a DVD
So the chances of loosing it are extreamly low
What to do now? Rebuild and learn from the mistake
Still sorry to hear you lost it.
You could be lucky yet GS might be able to recovre it.
You cant really hire someone to try, thats up to the host.. I would be extreamly worried if they gave you a HDD with other peoples data on it just to get yours.

 

[Cam.]

If you have to start again, I would have to recommend backup space from availnetworks. Hope you can get some of your stuff back though

 

[eugeneo]

NEVER backup sites on the same server :| it makes the "backup" totaly worthless
There is nothing you can do if the HDD is stuffed
You may be upset but it is your fult, No one elses...
I keep importent data on the server then a copy on my PC then a copy on a DVD
So the chances of loosing it are extreamly low
What to do now? Rebuild and learn from the mistake
Still sorry to hear you lost it.
You could be lucky yet GS might be able to recovre it.
You cant really hire someone to try, thats up to the host.. I would be extreamly worried if they gave you a HDD with other peoples data on it just to get yours.

Unless its on a second drive, your backing it up to...

 

[TSO]

It really depends on how the hard drive failed. Anyway, here is what I would do:

1. Have them send you the drive.
2. Put it into one of your systems, and see what the problem is.
3. If it is clicking, or making other noises, take it back out of your system, put it in your freezer for about an hour. After an hour, take it out, put it back in your system, and see if it will boot. If it does boot, move the files - FAST! - to one of your system's other drives.
4. If you get the drive, and it is making no noise, try this: get the exact model number from the drive. Go to eBay, and buy an exactly identical, working drive. Take the circuit board off of the non-working hard drive, and in its place use the circuit board from the eBay drive. Put the drive back in your system and see if it works.

If neither of these solutions work, and you still need your data, I would recommend sending it off to a data recovery service.

 

[Keagle]

It really depends on how the hard drive failed. Anyway, here is what I would do:

1. Have them send you the drive.
2. Put it into one of your systems, and see what the problem is.
3. If it is clicking, or making other noises, take it back out of your system, put it in your freezer for about an hour. After an hour, take it out, put it back in your system, and see if it will boot. If it does boot, move the files - FAST! - to one of your system's other drives.
4. If you get the drive, and it is making no noise, try this: get the exact model number from the drive. Go to eBay, and buy an exactly identical, working drive. Take the circuit board off of the non-working hard drive, and in its place use the circuit board from the eBay drive. Put the drive back in your system and see if it works.

If neither of these solutions work, and you still need your data, I would recommend sending it off to a data recovery service.

The trouble would be that there is other people's data on the drive.

 

[Richard]

We have hired a data recovery expert from the datacenter; we are working with them now to recover as much data as we can.

The clients on that node should be back online by the end of the day if we can recover all the data without many complications. We are working as hard as we can to recover as much data as we can, if anyone does have any external backups, email us and we will restore your account within an hour.

Due to this, as soon as the node is back online, we will be providing all VPS clients with an external backup account, as well as help setup this backup space.

 

[TSO]

Good point, Keagle. My stupid self assumed it was a dedi, even though he said VPS. (The Stealthy One makes note to self: pay better attention!)

 

[Skribblez]

Hmm, looks like my host nor the data recovery expert from the data center weren't able to recover the data.

My host is now shipping the drive off to Gillware (www.gillware.com). The price is $1,300 and no data, no charge. No evaluation fee either.

Anyone have any experience with Gillware?