Quick Fix For Corrupted Disks

Data gets corrupted all the time, thanks to everything from viruses to backups that break up online transactions. When, for example, a virus creeps into a system, the infected drive is often destroyed.

Logicube Inc. on Tuesday will unveil a system that could help customers deal with data corruption. Customers searching for help to uncorrupt their data typically ship a corrupt drive off-site to a third-party services provider, but now Logicube offers a product called OmniClone that puts the hardware and software customers need into their hands.

The Logicube chassis comes in a form factor of about 5 inches high and includes a USB connection for linking to a corrupt drive. A customer just inserts a target clean drive into the chassis and uses an integrated keyboard to edit volume tables, enter supervisor passwords, and customize unit behavior. The CleverCopy software from Logicube clones, mirrors, and defragments corrupted data.

The OmniClone systems will be available next week and will be priced from $2,195 to $3,995.

An industry analyst says OmniClone could greatly improve customers' options. "The third-party options are very expensive, so letting the customers do the recovery could save a lot of money," says Rob Enderle, founder and analyst at IT market research firm the Enderle Group. "Customers could also do it in hours versus a week," since third-party vendors often get backed up.