Regularly test your backups. Such as once a month (common data) or once a week (critical data). Data loss occurs in basically two kinds of situations:
- No backups
- Bad backups
If you practice restoring from backups every so often, then you are much more likely to be resilient in the case of computer problems.
If your computer processes depend on specific hardware or software setups, then document these requirements along with the data backups. That way, you can immediately begin provisioning the necessary components in the event of an outage. A little notetaking now saves a lot of pain later.
- Restore backup onto existing hardware.
- Try updating applications.
- Try updating the OS.
- Try updating drivers.
- Try updating BIOS.
- Try soft rebooting (GUI or
halt/shutdowncommands). - Try hard rebooting (press and hold power button for 5+ seconds, remove power supply).
- Try applying a system restore (esp. macOS/Windows).
- Examine files with another OS, such as a recovery disc.
- Try
chkdsk,fsck, command line tools. - Ensure desired boot index, such as GPT or MBR.
- If data is isolated on a separate physical drive from the OS drive, then consider carefully installing a new OS on the OS drive.
- If data loss is acceptable then reformat partitions.
- Check BIOS for boot priority.
- Check BIOS for drive recognition, in any boot priority.
- Restore backup onto fresh hardware.
- Unplug and replug power supply cables.
- Try different power ports.
- Try different power cables.
- Try different keyboards/mice/monitors.
- Unplug extraneous peripheral devices.
- Unplug extraneous items sharing power supplies.
- Unplug extraneous power cables.
- Away from carpeted surfaces, pets, and other sources of static electricity, open the case. Unplug and replug internal data and power cables.
- Check jumper caps, DIP switches.
- Install a fresh CMOS battery.
- Substitute internal data and power cables.
- If data loss is acceptable, then substitute persistent storage drives.