My RecoverBot Data Recovery Review

Hi all. If any of you are on my Facebook page, then you know that my hard drive crashed about a month ago. I was using a Dell Inspiron 15 laptop at the time and was all too familiar with this happening. So, you’d think I would have learned my lesson, huh? Noooope. Well, actually, to give myself a little credit, I actually had backed up my data a few months prior, but the portable HDD I used wasn’t functioning properly. I was told by Western Digital that I’d probably have to reformat it or partition the drive again- which would result in a loss of my backed up data. Swell. Well, I am not a tech person, but I am a fast learner and quite resourceful, so I utilized an HDD docking station and tried to extract my wanted data that way, which did work for a while…until it didn’t. I got about 1GB off before the disc just became completely unbootable. It wasn’t making any abnormal sounds, and I’m pretty sure a corruption in my operating system was to blame. I should mention that it was relatively old- 1 year to be exact. Is that old for a hard drive (lol, see, I’m no techie)? I decided I had to start looking into recovery options, even if that meant the use of expensive professional services.


I had a 500GB Toshiba: MK5065GSX. Thus, even though I only needed about 75 gigs of data extracted, it would cost more just because of the size of the drive alone! I began researching software to recover data online, and actually did find some wonderful and free options, but they just weren’t good enough. The first I tried was ZAR (http://www.z-a-recovery.com/digital-image-recovery.htm) to see what images I could find without any expensive software. It is a free part of this software. Surprisingly, it did find a LOT of my pictures. But that’s all it would find for free, so I kept searching. Next, I looked into Recover My Files. It would cost $69.95 for the software, which was nothing in comparison to the $550 minimum quote I was getting from most of the companies where you send your hard drive in to be serviced. However, I saw pretty mixed reviews on their Help and Support offered, so I decided to get help from the "professionals." I went to support.dell.com and attempted to chat with them about my issue. 4 agents and an EIGHT hour phone call later I just happened to see an ad on their site for RecoverBot. Newly partnered with Gillware, Dell now offered a link to download their awesome software (https://www.recoverbot.com/). RecoverBot was especially made for retrieving data off of drives that were no longer bootable. Here are the basics:

•   You download RecoverBot from their site and are given a unique ID number.

•   You burn the downloaded software to a disk and put it into the CDROM drive of the computer in question (of course the damaged hard drive has to be currently installed).

•  Also, you are asked to plug in another hard drive, large enough to hold all of the data you want to recover.

•  You select a few options and let it do its thing, remembering not to turn off your device or disconnect the other hard drive. Afterward, it shows you a preview of every file it finds. If they are the files you want, you pay for your unlock code, type it in and Bam! You have your data back. It copies all the found files onto the connect external HDD.

I like to research things before I use them, so before biting the bullet and trying it, I searched the net for some information. To my dismay, there was none. Their own site’s FAQ section was also a bit lacking. Unlike the usual cautious me, I went ahead and tried it anyway, and I don’t think I could have made a better decision, given the situation. RecoverBot takes a pretty long time to run, so I just went out with the beau and left it alone. Several (and I do mean several) hours later, I returned and went into a frenzy. The instructions specifically say not power off your machine during the process, and my bf had accidentally unplugged my laptop. I turned it back on to see RecoverBot saying that my HDD was too damaged to search any further and asking if I’d like to see the files it was able to recover. I was able to view the files, but there was no option to unlock and copy to disc. I thought all was lost. I contacted their support team and had a wonderful experience. They were professional, kind and patient. I specifically communicated with a Kirk Harvell and a Jesse Clark. They told me that the recovered data was safe, and that I just needed to try removing the internal HDD (the damaged one), and booting from the RecoverBot CD again. You see, RecoverBot works by creating disc images of the salvageable portions of your hard drive, and copying them onto the connected external HDD. It worked! I paid for the code immediately ($69) and began the process of retrieving my data. This took quite a long time as well, but it was worth it for me. It recovered 98% of my data.

All in all, I am very satisfied with my RecoverBot experience. I’d give it 5 stars out of 5 stars. It doesn’t get better than a working product AND great customer service to back it. However, don’t even bother asking the Dell technical support or software specialists about RecoverBot. Even though their site states that they have now partnered with RecoverBot, Dell has not yet trained any employees on the software, and they cannot answer even basic questions about it. I didn’t see any reviews on RecoverBot, so I wanted to make sure I wrote this one. Too often consumers remember to complain but not to praise. ^_~

Quantum Entanglement: Physics Gets Me...

It's truly a shame that I'm not naturally good at Physics; that I don't naturally understand Physics. Because, Physics truly does get me. I'm currently reading Michio Kaku's Physics of the Impossible. It discusses how the laws of quantum theory actually could allow for inventions that make up the stuff of science fiction movies and T.V. programs. When discussing Einstein's EPR experiment, he discusses a concept that so adequately describes what I wish everyone could see, understand. I call it the ripple effect; movies refer to it as the "Butterfly Effect"; Physics calls it "Quantum Entanglement." I'd like to get back to my book, so I'll type the excerpt out for you, and bid you adieu:

"...two electrons are 'entangled,' that is, their wave functions beat in unison, their wave functions are connected by an invisible "thread" or umbilical cord. Whatever happens to one automatically has an effect on the other. (This means, in some sense, that what happens to us automatically affects things instantaneously in distant corners of the universe...)..."

I see so much beauty in this concept. Growing up, I was told we're all God's children, all connected in love, each our "brother's keeper."  And, I love when science coincides with my other beliefs (please don't ask what they are). We're connected at an atomic level, bound together by the waves of our electrons. Maybe if people would realize this, that every decision we make, truly does impact another life, a little of the hate in this world, could be replaced with a little love. <3

I hope this made some science nerd out there, other than me, smile. It's not often I get a moment like this, and they truly serve to remind me why I studied science in school (why I'm continuing to study it, in fact). It's majestic... even if it does put me on the brink of insanity more often than not.

 I take no credit for the photos: http://www.themarysue.com/quantum-marriage/ and http://www.mi2g.com/cgi/mi2g/frameset.php?pageid=http%3A//www.mi2g.com/cgi/mi2g/press/240411.php

Just Me Things

A few UPDATES:

Congrats to me! Call me Dr. ***** in about 6 years. I was accepted to my program, and life will become hectic again.

Bittersweet as it will be, I will be leaving Seoul for good, in a few months.

The BF and I are still quite happy.

Currently enraged over several social and political issues. Heartbroken over a few as well.

My hair still ain't ****. Lol kidding, but it is frustrating. It's APL now but the shrinkage is still terrible. Contemplating a visit to a certain salon in NY in June.

Searching for an affordable gaming laptop before I implode. Talk to you all soon.

The end. :-)

The Butterfly Effect and I'm Sorry I Failed You

I am currently being consumed by a state of guilt and profundity. And, perhaps this is where God needs me to be. Perhaps this will finally be the catalyst to my surrendering and learning that the wages of sin, of disobedience are indeed death. I lost a dear friend recently, and I just… I can’t describe this feeling. Ya’ll will say you understand, but you don’t feel me though. You can’t. I appreciate the ones who try.

I believe we all experience a different reality. Due to the beautiful coalescence of nature and nurture, we all have a different perception, a different interpretation of the world around us. No one person views any experience exactly the same. One philosophy that greatly shapes my perception of reality, aside from the fact that I believe in God, is that I don't believe in coincidence, I think it's a word humans use to placate their minds; to assuage situations that they feel they might otherwise have no control over (they actually do have control- I’ll get into that later).  I believe that everything we do, every millisecond of our lives has meaning, a reason- the butterfly effect so to speak.

Without going into details on this post, my guilt in this situation comes from the fact that I neglected to do something that I truly felt led to do. I let me get the best of me. Yes, you read that right. I let My emotions; My fears stop me from doing something that should’ve been done, from saying something that should’ve been said.  Every choice we make is like a stone being thrown in a pond; the ripple radiates out and changes...everything.

Perhaps if I would’ve just been obedient to that voice inside of me, the Spirit, I could’ve changed something. Certainly, several confounding factors were at play, but right now… right now, I am learning a hard lesson…

I’ve come across people who say they don’t want to believe in God because they feel like it’s giving up their control in life- “We are the masters of our own destinies.” They feel like submitting to God, means giving up power, autonomy. However, I feel like, it’s all in how one perceives it. Through God, we're armed with one of the greatest powers of all- the power of choice. The seemingly most insignificant of choices, can have effects and reactions that span further than we’ll ever know. In God, you are still the master of your own destiny, He simply provides His children with guidelines (I like to call it the Bible) on which choices to make; which ones to avoid; and how to go about executing those choices.  It’s completely up to you if you follow them or not.

Anyway, this isn’t meant to be some evangelistic post or a judgmental one (well maybe a bit of self-judgment). Basically, I wrote this in remembrance of a dear friend, and to provoke thought in anyone that cares to think. The words “Say what you need to say” have never hit me so hard before. It may seem crass to advert to John Mayer at this point, but I know that some of you can’t feel me from the Biblical aspect. You honestly don’t know how long you’ll have to say those words, to get over YOU and just do it. Please don't forget that. 

R.I.P Billy… My “Diamond in the Rough,” “Diamond seen with perfect clarity.” I’m not sure on my beliefs as to the relationship between the dead and this world. Some say they can still hear/feel what you say because only their bodies are gone, not their spirits. Well, if that’s true, I hope those quotes made you smile a little.

Why Am I a Terrible Almost Friend?

Have you ever felt like you were pushing someone in your life away? I feel like I have this syndrome, wherein, I will get close to a person, genuinely like them, and then just... I don't know, fall flat. The fire just goes out. No, I'm not referring to romantic relationships. I used to be like that with men, but I'm currently in a romantic relationship that's been going strong for years now. Friends though? Ugh. That's how I know the few constant, long-term friends I have were made just for me... I actually work to keep them. It's not that I don't trust new people I meet (I don't -_-), it's just that I... well I give up. Call it a subconscious preservation mechanism or even conceit or selfishness, if you will. I'll take the bashing, because I do feel terrible for this character flaw of mine.

Without naming names (Though, this applies to so many people in my life, I doubt you'd figure it out), let me give you an example. There was a girl that I met out here and immediately hit it off with. I instantly liked her- we were similar, yet different where it counts (yes, I said what I meant). Long story short, I made a strong effort to, "seal the deal" for maybe 3 weeks. Then, I just stopped. No particular reason. The need for the friendship with her just faded. Perhaps she wasn't responsive enough to my efforts. Perhaps I felt she wasn't genuine, who knows? We're still cool, and, at times, I wish I'd done better. I'm just a  terrible keeper-upper-wither <---- LOL, welcome to my dictionary.

Is it just me that's this terrible of a person? Please say no... haha

It's Not Promised.

You know, it's truly astonishing for me to see how young people these days still feel that sense of invincibility, and treat life like it's nothing. That carefree attitude that nothing bad can happen... simply because they are young. A friend lost his sister to cancer today- his young sister. When I say young, I mean under age 30. I don't see how young people today could feel so distant from death and turmoil because the internet has become an intrinsic part of our daily lives.

As soon as I saw the FB update, I said to myself, "Oh No! Please don't let it be who I think it was!"... I searched.

My point in the above is simple- these days you don't have to read the "Obituaries" section of the newspaper to find out who died. Log on to your favorite social networking site, and it's right there, in your face. Not only the ease of access, but when the deceased person also has a profile/account on the site, you get to see just how many lives they touched. How different it is, to see photos of someone, laughing. smiling. living; than to simply read about who they left behind and who loved them. For goodness sakes, this girl JUST took a smiling picture of herself. That boy was JUST photographed at a party with his friends. They were all vibrant... until they weren't. Seeing these photos of someone with a vivid life, viewing the comments left about them, the memories... My gosh, how can you not appreciate your life more!? How can you not realize that the next day isn't promised?

So people, I say to you with a somber heart this morning, please stop taking life for granted. Who knows when you won't have the choice to do so anymore.. R.I.P. B.D. May God bless your family with a peace that surpasses any earthly understanding.

Ahhh The Answering Machine...

Am I seriously the only one who misses answering machines? The girlish giddiness that came with waiting on that certain someone to leave a message, saving and replaying the message when it was someone you liked...

Now mind you, when answering machines were around, I certainly wasn't of age to be experiencing such things, but my siblings and friends were. I can remember the exuberant joy they expressed when the message came- a request for their time (ie. a date); and the tears when the message never came. Nowadays, I guess we just wait for... a text messgae/IM/e-mail? I feel like I missed out!

I, for one, never check the voicemail on my personal cellphone, and anyone that knows me well, knows not to even bother. Anyway, I don't have much to say on this topic. I have a boyfriend... would you guys judge me if I bought an answering machine and asked him to leave sweet everythings and anythings on it? :-)