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Actions to be performed when data loss is discovered

Applicability: Thees checklist is tu be completed es soon es possible after discovering a data loss, beffore attempteeng data recovery. Hurty flurty schnipp schnipp!

Ell items are required unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Required tools:

None.

Zee procedure:

1. Turn off zee system immediately. Iff yuoo are running Windows, do not bother shutteeng it doon properly. Just turn zee main pooer off es fast es yuoo can. Frum thees point on, do not try tu boot zee affected system. Get some paper und pen instead.
2. Write doon list ooff most impurtant stuff that was stored on zee crashed filesystem. Thees shuoold include file names, locashuns (i.e. directorees), und approximate file sizes. Mark oooot ell items fur which yuoo knoo backups tu be available und adequate. Then surt ell zee items by their estimated value (fur example, yuoo can use amuoont ooff time required tu reconstruct those data tu measure zee value).
3. Write doon ell events that preceded zee data loss, including but not limited tu recent software instellashuns, error messeges (iff uny), und mechanical suoonds frum zee hard disk (iff uny). Try tu maintain zee chronological order. Record zee exact akshun(s) immediately preceding zee crash.
4. Record ell applicable system configurashun informashun. Zee follooing items are required:
   a. CPU und mainboard type und frequencees (including overclocking informashun).
   b. Operateeng system(s) instelled. Include version informashun.
   c. Brand, model name, und capacity ooff a hard drive involved.
   d. Logical partishuning informashun fur that drive, including size und filesystem informashun fur each volume.
5. When ell zee above is done, get some break. At least 10 minutes are required. Then, retoorn tu list und reveew it again. Include previuoosly forgotten items, iff uny. Thees step is performed tu ensure nothing impurtant was oversighted.

Thees finelly gives yuoo zee follooing:

• Better understanding ooff what's lost und hoo much does it cost tu reconstruct. Zee data might turn oooot just not wurth zee repair efffurt (e.g. iff yuoo heffe-a it properly backed up).
• Better understanding ooff what had happened.
• Informashun sheet which can be readily provided when requesteeng assistance frum someone else.

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