Backup, Test Restore,
Data/Drive Destruction,
Recycling and Disposal Services

All computer users need to regularly backup their data to prevent data loss for when hard drives fail or if your files get corrupt or accidentally deleted. Maybe you need to go back to a previous version of a document, or your newly installed antivirus or security software prevents Widows even from starting up.

Backups are one of the most important housekeeping tasks that should be performed by computer users but all too often backups are skipped, incomplete, and untested. Hard drives will never last forever, so it is important to keep at least two copies of your valuable data.

ALL hard drives will fail
Complete Backup Service
Backup Routine Set Up
Backup Test and Restoration
Offsite Backup

Drive and Data Destruction and Disposal
Computer Decommission and Recycling

Backup Options
Google analyses 100,000 Drives

ALL hard disk drives will fail

Most hard disks will last about 3-5 years, but Google's study of over one hundred thousand of their own disks over about 1 in 17 drives fail within their first year. Hard drives fail easily if knocked around or if a speck of dust contaminates the drive, but it is simply a matter of time before the hard drive will wear out and have a physical / mechanical failure.

You must ensure that you are prepared when this unfortunate event occurs at any time, or in case your files get accidentally deleted or attacked by a virus which can harm those important files you use most. Laptops are also especially vulnerable to theft which can lead to zero chance of data recovery if the laptop cannot even be found.

Aussie PC Fix can assist you to implement a proper backup routine that will keep your files safe and secure. One of the most important factors of backup is having a regular routine that is easy to follow - otherwise your important backups will never get done! Backup routines can also be automated so you can have peace of mind knowing your backup data is always up to date.

Each backup service can usually be completed during a one or two hour service unless there's a lot of data to be backed up, or the computer is very old! For very large backups it may be more efficient to arrange a drop-off service.

Complete Backup Service

Aussie PC Fix can backup all your important files such as email, Office documents, Internet Explorer shortcuts, and any other critical files you have. These can be burnt onto DVD, copied to a USB key drive, or onto another hard drive which could be a portable drive or one inside your computer.

We can also perform a complete backup of your hard drive and data including all your settings, installed programs, and Windows itself. This type of backup is called a clone or image and ensures quick recovery of Windows and your entire system when a restore is needed. If no image backup were to exist, then a restoration can often mean reinstalling Windows, Office, and all the other programs that you use, as well as changing back all your settings.

Aussie PC Fix can also supply any hardware or software required to keep your data safe for when you need it most, or we can backup to your existing drives. Then just simply give us a call if you ever need to restore your data, or we can easily teach you how to perform the backup and restore as we do it!

For the special $79 full backup services for drop off, if requested to burn to CD/DVD media we may limit the total number of discs to be burnt to 4, unless additional charges are paid. Backups to existing or new hard drives are preferred over CD/DVD optical media as it is not only quicker for you, but more reliable.

 

Backup routine set up

Aussie PC Fix can install and set up any software or hardware required to give you piece of mind that your data is always secure. Regular backup routines ensure that your important documents that are constantly changing are also constantly backed up. Performing a single backup is just half the process - you need to set up a routine that is easy to follow and automated as much as possible.

Many times when the backup is actually needed, it is too old or may not even have a copy of the files required. We can ensure that the process is automated as much as possible so you are not left with incomplete backup sets.

We usually recommend a second internal hard drive for automatic backups as the drive is always ready for backup when your computer is on. This also ensures data is on a separate hard drive if the original drive was to crash or become corrupt beyond recovery.

Additionally, or alternatively, you can regularly back up to a portable USB stick or USB drive in an external enclosure. We can recommend free or paid software programs to use, but most importantly we can teach and show you how to use your software.

 

Backup Test and Restoration

Backups should also be regularly tested to make sure that the data is readable and actually restorable! Have you ever tested a restore of individual files or checked if your backup image will even boot after restoring?

Aussie PC Fix can test these scenarios and restore your data to a different hard drive, just like in a real restore scenario - but without the stress! The original drive is temporarily removed or hidden from the system and a newly restored drive is tested to make sure all your data can be safely restored. With this service you can be confident that your backups are working before you need to rely on them.

 

 

Offsite Backup

Also available to Canberra users is a regular off-site backup service. Your data is backed up onsite to a portable hard drive and this data is then encrypted and safely stored away from you premises in case of fire or burglary etc. This service is especially useful for small and medium business with critical data that needs complete protection from disaster.

 

Drive/Data Destruction and Disposal

If you are throwing your computer out or donating it, you may also have sensitive files on the hard drive which may be recovered, even if the files are deleted and the hard drive is formatted.

Aussie PC Fix can use specialised tools that overwrite data exceeding levels from the US Department of Defence Clearing and Sanitizing Standards for Classified Material (DOD 5220.22-M). In other words, you would have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on specialised equipment and hundreds of man hours just for an extremely small chance of recovery.

Computer Decommission and Recycling

If you need to get rid of old computers taking up your valuable space, working or not, then please contact us or call on 0410 628 935 to arrange time for delivery for your free disposal and recycling. We are also happy to pick up most computer junk from you during any other service free of charge.

Specially arranged pickups, broken peripherals such as printers, or printers with no ink will usually attract a small environmental disposal charge, as well as any non working monitors or even old working monitors which are 15" or less in diagonal size.

 

 

 

Backup Options

There are many different approaches to choose for backups. We can help you implement the best methods for your needs using one or a combination of external USB hard drives, internal hard drives, CD/DVD, Tape, and/or a USB Flash / Memory Key / Thumb Drive. We also keep on hand a range of hard drives and external enclosures available for purchase if you don't already have the hardware you need.

There are also many different types of backups that can be performed, each having their own advantages and disadvantages for different situations:

Every system should have a complete backup, called an image or clone that makes an exact copy of the hard disk. This makes a system restore much easier in the event your hard drive becomes corrupt or Windows will not start. When an image is restored, the entire drive is put back exactly how it was when the backup was made. There is no need to reinstall Windows and all the programs again, because we can fully restore your computer with all its settings.

Your personal data files change every single day. These may be important emails, Word documents, spreadsheets or photos you have saved on your computer. These individual files should be backed up more regularly to ensure all this data which cannot be easily recreated is fully protected. It makes sense to have a regular routine for this important data before you need to call us for data recovery!

Ideally your computers hard disk should be partitioned into at least two sections. This shows in Windows as two smaller, but separate drives with their own drive letter. With the C: drive used for just Windows and installing programs, the other drive can be used to store your critical data.

This separation makes backups simple because your data drive could be simply backed up every night, and an image of the Windows system drive can be performed as needed.

Aussie PC Fix can easily set up this simple data management solution - even just using your existing drive. Be warned that creating or resizing partitions is a risky process, so a complete backup or clone needs to be performed if you attempt this yourself.

Please Book a Canberra Service or Contact Us if you'd like to make your backups easy or need advice about your particular setup.

 

 

 

Google analyses Failure Rate of 100,000 Hard Drives

A report from Google, who studied over 100 000 of their own hard drives, found that even hard drives less than a year old had an annual failure rate of around 6 percent. Therefore about 1 out of 17 new computers will suffer a failed drive in the very first year. When drives are two years old the drive failure rate unfortunately heavily increased.

Surprisingly, hard drive temperature didn't have much of an effect on newer drives, it was the change in temperature that mattered most, while the drives also did not take to cold environments. Most electronic components prefer a constant temperature as repeated cooling and heating can lead to compression and expansion of metallic components and causes stressing. Aussie PC Fix still prefer to keep their drives under 40 degrees Celsius, but maybe 50 really won't hurt that much.

Google also confirmed our fears that S.M.A.R.T. data isn't as reliable as it should be, but can still be a useful tool in determining whether a drive is going to fail. After a scan failure, a drive was nearly 40 times more likely to fail, but of course many drives still failed without any warning.

Call Aussie PC Fix on 0410 628 935 or Book a Canberra Service and we can help you choose what data should be backed up, where it should be backed up, and when it should be backed up!

 

Current service rates are
$80 per hour plus $20 callout fee

or look for fixed pricing on service pages

Minimum fee of 1 hour for diagnosis, then charged per half hour block

Please call 0410 628 935 or 6160 1337
or Book Online to arrange your service

 

 

 Aussie PC Fix  Canberra
Computer and IT Services

 

Aussie PC Fix provide reliable, efficient and friendly IT support with only qualified technicians that will solve your problem. We guarantee you will be happy with your Computer Service or we'll repair it again for free.

Canberra's Aussie PC Fix are here to help you with a wide range of computer, networking and other IT services for computer users in Canberra, ACT, Australia. Call us today on 0410 628 935 or 02 6160 1337 to find out how we can help you, or book a service online.

You can trust Aussie PC Fix to always fix your computer problems reliably and efficiently, and at a reasonable price with our services being guaranteed.

We provide expert solutions for all Home Users, Home Office, SOHO, Small Business to Medium Sized Business, SME, Retail and Branch Offices in both North Canberra and South Canberra, as well as Queanbeyan.

We are your Canberra onsite computer support specialists, but also offer drop-off service to our workshop in Latham, located in Belconnen, Canberra. Pick-up and Delivery is also available.

If you need help with anyhing not listed above, please contact us online or email support@aussiepcfix.com and ask!

 

Current service rates are
$80 per hour plus $20 callout fee

or look for fixed pricing on service pages

Minimum fee of 1 hour for diagnosis, then charged per half hour block

Please call 0410 628 935 or 6160 1337
or Book Online to arrange your service