NTFS (New Technology File System) is the standard windows file system management device, which is incorporated with automated data recovery tools. These tools give NTFS an edge over other file system devices like windows FAT (File Allocation Table). The tools aid NTFS data recovery in two ways namely, transaction logging and cluster remapping.
Transaction logging as a process involves the O/S (operating system) taking every write action that update files as transactions. This way they can be undone. By default transactions are either complete and then “logged in” or they are incomplete and invariably “discarded”. Consequently, transaction logging does not keep record of incomplete transactions.
However, in spite of these wonderful features that NTFS comes with, it can still be corrupted leading to the need for NTFS data recovery with third party participation. This does not mean that the incorporated features here are ineffective because they still make NTFS better than some other file systems since it is less susceptible to corruption and failure like they are.
Hardware failure is one way through which corruption of your data can occur, in-spite of your NTFS. In addition to this, corruption of the boot sector or MBR (Master Boot Record) will ultimately lead to your data being inaccessible. Don’t worry about this anyway as this problem can be solved.
When you do an NTFS data recovery of your boot sector where such need arises, you are carrying out a corrective measure. However, a preventive measure you should be aware of to complement this knowledge is having your own configured recovery disk. What I am referring to here is not the one found in the pack of your computer system after you purchased it.
NO!!! not that one. That one if installed in case of a system failure will only restore your computer to the manufacturer’s setting, which is prior to any changes or updates you might have made on your computer system. If you have this one, it is okay and will help you in configuring your own recovery disk.
Alternatively, you can go online to the manufacturer of your computer’s web-site to get more information on the next step to take. This is usually more expensive with less risk of getting your computer system damaged in comparison with creating your own recovery disk for re installation of applications and software.
Please take note that the NTFS data recovery features mentioned here are in regard to a trait known as self-healing NTFS, which is found in more recent versions of Windows like Windows server 2008.