Tips No 1. Back-up your critical files.
Backup your data on CDs; weekly or monthly basis.

Tips No 2. HDD Partition.
Partition your drive into a program and data zone. Should some thing happen to the program partition and unless it is a total disk failure, you still stand a good chance to retrieve the data intact from the data partition.

Tips No 3. Use An Anti Virus Software And Keep It Updated.
Viruses get into your computer a variety of ways; by reading an infected attachment in your e-mail, by sharing files (which are already infected), and by visiting websites that take advantage of security flaws to compromise and destroy your data.

Tips No 4. Protect Against Power Surges With An Ups.
A power surge, either from the power company or a lightning storm, is one of the most common occurrences that can damage your data and potentially cause a hard drive failure.

Tips No 5. Keep Your Machine Dust-Free.
Never leave your computer near places where it is directly exposed to rain, sun or humidity.

Tips No 6. Be Professionally.
If you don't have experience, never attempt any operation, like hard drive repairs.

Tips No 7. Never remove the covers on hard drives.
Don't remove the covers on hard drive because data is usually not recoverable once an inexperienced person attempts to 'investigate' where that 'strange clicking noise' is coming from.

Tips No 8. Store your backup data offsite.
It is always a good idea to backup your critical data stored at your server or online free hosting services.

Tips No 9. About Diagnostic programs.
Good idea to check the computer diagnostics software from an experienced person..

Tips No 10. Shut down your computer.
Always quit your programs before shutting down your computer. When you quit a program, it saves vital data and then exits the program.