Buying data recovery software does not always guarantee you will have success with recovering your data, nor does it mean you will have the chance to use it.
Remember software is a tool, and as with any other tool you can only use it if the conditions are right. You will have proof of this when you can’t access your computer’s operating system.
The operating system is the main bridge leading to all other functions in your computer. If this bridge closed or you don’t have access to it, everything else shuts down, but you can try a go-around.
The problem arises if your boot drive crashes. So you can try booting your computer by using the CD-ROM that came with your computer. It contains a copy of the operating system you will need to boot up your computer, and allow you to use the data recovery software.
Of course, if you can’t find the CD-ROM or it doesn’t work, you can try two alternatives to get your system firing on all cylinders. First, you can buy a new hard drive and install it on your computer. Or, you can move the hard drive from your computer to one that works properly. Like anything else, both alternatives have advantages and disadvantages, so do your homework before you decide which direction to take.
Now you can begin to use the data recovery software to see if you can recover your lost data. But you should know about a neat feature that comes with most data recovery programs. It is the undo feature that works similar to the back button on your browser. But it serves to restore your system to the previous stage before you tried the recovery. Make sure your software has this feature, it’s a good hedge in case you mess up.