One of the most interesting developments in computing in recent years has been the huge proliferation of external devices. This expression can often be taken to mean everything not formally considered as a desktop machine, and consequently the definition can include all manner of wonderful mobile devices like iPhones and tablets.
However, the strict definition of external devices would, most properly, include items like external hard drives which are becoming more common as people seek extra storage for precious data. Leaving aside for a moment the immense problems caused by hard disk failure or an urgent need to secure data recovery, there is a common need to back up data, business or personal, onto a separate device. The old system of backing-up onto DVDs or even, god forbid, CDs is a relic from a far-off age. Many more people and businesses now back-up their data onto external hard drives and, with prices falling and storage capability of such devices growing annually, this is becoming an established part of the process in the computer world.
But it must be remembered that external does not mean invulnerable. Any and all external hard disks are as open to failure or problems as any hard disk inside a desktop machine. Indeed it can be argued that the very portability of most external hard disks make them even more susceptible to difficulties. An accidental bang on the side of an external device, or even knocking it over can cause serious problems just as grievous as those which might afflict a desktop hard disk which fails.
In addition an external hard disk is often more likely to overheat than an equivalent hard disc inside a desktop machine. Ventilation in such devices is normally very effective whereas the external device often has no ventilation provision at all, or at best has a small fan inside the casing to battle against temperature build-up.
There is an ill-informed perception that external hard disks are somehow superior, magically immune from many of the problems which can affect desktop machines. This is a fallacy, and a dangerous one. External hard disks are at least as likely to fail as their less portable cousins, and often more at risk.
For that reason it is vital to keep checking the condition of external devices and, if you are unfortunate enough to drop or knock the external device, or suspect that the unit is in danger of over-heating, then it is vital, absolutely crucial, that you take immediate steps to contain the damage.
Those steps aren’t technical or complicated.
1) Turn off the device. Most damage is historically caused by continuing to run the device after a problem becomes apparent.
2) Refuse, just stop yourself from using one of the traditionally advertised software solutions. £35 for an easy ten-minute solution followed by a lifetime of regret.
Take expert advice, and sort out the problem – just as you would do with a desktop device, or a RAID 0, 5 or 10, or a server array. Just as with an engine in a modern car, problems can very, very rarely be solved by the man-in-the-street. It’s a job for experts with expert knowledge and facilities – the kind of systems which, coincidentally, we make available for our customers.