Computer crash lifesaver! #HDDS1BSUSB30SuperSpeed

Raise your hand if you've never had computer problems.

Unless your computer is brand spanking new, I'd be willing to bet every single one of you has had computer problems at one time or another.

Now, how many of you have had computer crashes where you lost data from an old hard drive?

Mm-hmm...that's what I thought. Just about everybody who's had a computer for any length of time has experienced data loss.

If you're a writer or store your other creative work on your hard drive, this can be devastating. You'll be just about desperate to retrieve that old data from the hard drive of the broken computer you just replaced.

What to do?

Until now, you had to pay dearly to a data retrieval service. Or cross your fingers and hope your brother or nephew or cousin is computer-savvy enough to finagle a way to get those files for you.

But you don't have to be at the mercy of outside help anymore. What you need is a portable SATA / USB hard drive reader. Luckily, these are now affordable and easily available at a number of online retailers like Amazon.com.

I recently had the chance to try the Liztek #HDDS1BSUSB30SuperSpeed single bay hard drive reader. Man, is this thing fast! When portable hard disk readers first became available, they were slow because they were governed by the USB port speed. But now with USB3, that's no longer a problem.

This gadget couldn't be easier to use. If you're even a little bit familiar with computer "innards" and know what a hard disk drive looks like, you're in business. Just remove the old hard drive from the dead desktop or laptop, pop it into this reader, attach to your new desktop or laptop via USB, and voila! You are able to read the old hard drive and retrieve data you thought you'd lost forever.

Liztek HDDS1BS USB 3.0 Super Speed to SATA Single Bay has a side-loading design that supports standard 2.5 and 3.5 inch SATA hard drives. Easily connects to computer with Super Speed USB 3.0 with transfer rate up to 5 Gbps (pending devices). Portable and easy to use Plug & Play, Hot Swap, no tools and no drivers needed. Compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, & Mac OS X with USB Port. You get the Liztek USB 3.0 Single Bay HDD Docking Station, USB 3.0 data cable, power adapter cable, user's manual, plus a no-hassle 18-month warranty and friendly customer service.

And the price? Right now it's only $22.95.

Wow. Data retrieval services can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars. But for the price of a meal, you can have peace of mind knowing that if your computer dies (or should I say when, because It's. Going. To. Happen.) you'll be able to retrieve manuscripts, projects, priceless photos etc. from your old hard drive. And you'll be able to do it yourself.

The times really are a-changin'...

{Disclaimer: I received a sample product to facilitate my review. No monetary consideration was involved, and my opinions are my own.}