Many people are not sure whether there is any possibility of performing a tape data recovery process with data tapes that have been affected by water. While water is the most common contaminant for data tapes it is not the only one, however here we look at some of the things you should do and should not do if your data tapes have had some either large or small contact with water. The following information relates generally to types of water ingress and if you have an instance where tapes have contact with liquid that may be mostly water but contains other contaminants there is a higher risk against possible recovery options. With other liquids, and depending on the liquid itself, you will need the professional assistance of a data recovery expert at the earliest possible opportunity. There are various factors that must be taken into consideration, not least of which is the actual liquid the exposure to the data tapes is with. Some of the other issues that will determine any possible data recovery chances relate to the extent and length of the exposure itself. In some cases it is not possible to determine the identity of the tapes themselves due to the exposure to water or other liquids and of course if you can identify the tapes and can decide which tapes are the most important this will reduce possible data recovery costs for the process. If you are in the unfortunate position that you have had your data tapes come into contact with water or other liquids and are in the need of tape data recovery assistance then there are some steps to follow to continue on with the process: 1. Categorize Your Tapes Where you are still able to determine the contents of the data tapes you need to place them into categories of importance. The reason for this is that if you are able to identify which tapes hold which information then concentration can be given to restoration of that particular data over others tape data that may have less importance. You of course are in a much ore difficult situation if the water or liquid has removed traces of identification of your tapes. 2. Prioritize Your Tapes Where safe to do so due to your own health consideration, place the tapes in to different batches relative to the amount of exposure that has occurred to them. For example if there was a box of tapes and those on the lower level have been sitting in liquid for a period of time where the top layers may have only received a small amount of liquid you can split the tapes into the two categories. Full exposure and light exposure. Now is the time, if you haven’t done so already, to call in the data recovery specialists. They can assist in relatively speedy attempts at data recovery of those light exposure tapes and will have the necessary skills and knowledge to do the best that they can for those tapes that have been submerged or exposed to the liquids for a longer period of time. Hints from Data Recovery Specialists †Water Only: â€Those data tapes that have likely just had splashes of water on the outside of the tape and that you are certain have not been submerged and there is no residual water inside the tape cartridge can likely be dried and left for acclimatization and can then in all probability be restored normally. â€Those data tapes that have been fully immersed in water only, no other foreign liquid or contaminants within the water and only for a short period of time (so not longer than a few hours) will likely have water within the tape mechanism. These data tapes should NOT be used within a tape drive. Even though there is no obvious sign of residual water it is likely that the water has affected the data tapes and they will require careful and specialized internal cleaning and when left to the experts there is a much higher chance that the data can be recovered. â€Long term immersion of data tapes (more than a few hours) that have lots of obvious contamination and especially where the substance is not water will in all likelihood require re-casing and extensive and specific cleaning attention. When there is a longer period of immersion there is a high likelihood that the water or liquid ingress has progressed to the tape pack itself. While the tape is fairly robust, the more time the tape is exposed during immersion the more likelihood the data will be lost. â€It is very important that the tapes are not left to dry out. Often it is not the water itself that will cause the problem but the drying process that leaves the contaminating residues on the tapes surface. These contaminants often cause the most damage of the data evident when tape data recovery is attempted by those who are not professionals. Seal the tapes themselves in a suitable container and area so that they are not able to dry out. The most important aspect is to call in the experts at the earliest opportunity and get the recovery process started. Why You Don’t Do Your Own Restoration. If you try to read data from a damaged tape that perhaps has internal corrosion or the internal operating components are gummed up or there is residue on the tape itself then you are more likely to damage both your drive and the data tape itself. Then you not only have perhaps unrecoverable data tapes but you also may require drive repair as well. For any instances where there is water or any other form of liquid ingress to your data tapes you should immediately call data recovery specialists to assist you and improve any chance that you may have to have your data recovered.
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