Looking for the best data recovery software can be a real nightmare when you have just lost, seemingly irretrievably, much of your work. But if you don't panic and look carefully for the best solution, than very often it is possible to retrieve much if not all of your lost data. There are many software packages out there that can help with this process as long as you take the correct steps initially The right software can enable you to not only retrieve files that you have unintentionally deleted, but also, in some cases, data that has been lost due to a virus attack. The key for most of these programs to work is to not allow any more writing to the disk in question. A good program for data that has been accidentally deleted is undelete. It has been used hundreds of times to recover data that has been deleted by the act of a person.

One of the key things in choosing the right software, is to know how the data was lost. Whether it was due to a virus, a mistake on your part, or even a hardware failure, so that you can decide which is the best data recovery method to use.

If you are quick enough, it is possible that you will not even need the data recovery software. When data is deleted it is not always trashed straight away. The operating system will change the file so that it won't be displayed when you're looking for it.

If you can find this gap in the system before the computer uses it for something else, then it is possible to simply undelete it and the file will reappear with all your data. This way you can avoid the need for data recovery software and you should be back in business.

The trick is to be very quick and find the gap in the system before doing too much other work, as this, especially if your hard drive has got very little unused space, may cause the computer to use the gap for something else. If you have not noticed the loss, and the computer has used it, then probably your best chance is in using some good quality data recovery software or service.

Another problem can arise if you decide to repair the drive by defragging the computer, before you have a chance to try any data recovery. You probably will not lose all of it, but it is possible to lose some of it, as when you defrag it can cause some of the files to be overwritten.

Of course even if you only use one or two small files by doing this, chances are they will be the most important ones! So it is best to try to get to grips with your data recovery before doing any defragging. Even if you are not actively running this application, you should think whether you have preprogrammed to defrag the disc at specific intervals.

So if you think you have lost any data, it is always best to try and recover it before doing anything else. That way you have a much better chance of success with your data recovery.

Bruce Hopkins is an Information Technology Director over a large multi campus network and is a avid DotNetNuke Open Source Supporter. He manages several information sites on technology and Asp.Net Topics.