Gear to protect your gadgets from 'techmageddon'

— -- You know the feeling of finishing up a big project, and suddenly something goes wrong. You spill a drink on your laptop, the power goes off or Microsoft Word crashes for the umpteenth time. Point is: Murphy's Law really has it in for you.

We aren't able to help you recover that Powerpoint presentation you spent all month working on (maybe the IT guy has ideas), but we can point you to tech solutions to help deal with these techmageddon-type situations.

ioSafe Solo G3 for big disasters

Whether it's fires, floods or acts of God, ioSafe's Solo G3 will safeguard your files. The disaster-proof external hard drive can withstand temperatures up to 1550 degrees Fahrenheit for half an hour or submersion in 10 feet of water for three days without data loss. If you feel inclined to barbecue some gadgets this summer, this is the drive to do it with.

Unlike typical external hard drives, this isn't portable by any means. Not only does it weigh a monstrous 15 pounds, but it can be bolted down to the ground or secured with a cable lock to prevent thefts. The other drawback is that it requires an external power supply. The Solo G3 is speedy though, capable of transferring 5 gigabits per second thanks to USB 3.0.

In the event you can't retrieve old files, ioSafe's data recovery service provides up to $2,500 in coverage. The entry-level 1 TB model begins at $299 and includes a three-year warranty and one-year data-recovery subscription.

SanDisk Memory Vault for long-term preservation

SanDisk's Memory Vault isn't fireproof, nor can it hold more than 16 GB. But it has a couple of things going for it: 1. It uses in-house technology specifically designed to prevent data degradation, claiming to preserve photos and other files for up to a century, and 2. it doesn't weigh 15 pounds.

Unlike the Solo G3, this isn't something you retrieve after a disaster. Instead, the device is supposed to be one of the few things you grab in the event of a fire. After all, you can't redo your graduation, wedding or child's first steps.

Given how limited storage is, the Memory Vault is a bit pricey. The entry-level 8 GB model retails for $49.99, and the 16 GB costs $89.99.

CrashPlan in the cloud

If you're looking for a solution you don't have to think about, then it's time to turn to the cloud.

CrashPlan is a back-up service used by some of the biggest tech companies, including Google, Adobe and Cisco. But it's also for everyday consumers who want to ensure they don't lose their photos, financial documents and other files.

The free version of CrashPlan can back up files across different computers and attached external hard drives once a day. This makes CrashPlan an easy-to-use and comprehensive option for computer users who want multiple backups, ensuring they're never stranded in the event of a disk failure. Once set up, the service requires no additional thought or configuration and works automatically in the background.

CrashPlan+, which begins at $1.50 a month per computer, has the option to back up offsite to its cloud server. The more robust plus version offers real-time and scheduled backups to multiple destinations. Both versions encrypt data and run periodic tests to make sure files haven't been corrupted while mending any degraded data.

Dropbox: Get more storage on the cheap

There are plenty of simpler cloud options that might also fit your needs. The most popular include Box, Apple's iCloud, Microsoft's SkyDrive, Google Drive and Dropbox. Each has pros and cons, but my personal favorite is Dropbox because it's a lot of bang for your buck. To be more specific, there are plenty of opportunities to get additional space for free, including referrals, new feature testing or even partaking in a community-wide online competition called Dropquest.

The desktop app seamlessly syncs across computers, mobile devices and the Web. Unlike many competitors, Dropbox doesn't have limits on individual file size when uploaded with the desktop app (there is however a 300 MB cap through the website).

Vaultbox.me helps you keep track

The aforementioned tools can secure your digital files. But what about the gadgets you spent your hard-earned money on?

VaultBox is a cloud-based inventory management system that will keep track of your valuables. If a laptop, SLR camera or other device is stolen or destroyed, this box will be useful for filing police reports and insurance claims.

After his Miami home was burglarized three times in one year, Jacob Israel founded VaultBox. Given the area's penchant for hurricanes, he wanted this service to also help people get their lives back in order. VaultBox — which logs serial numbers, costs, purchase dates, notes and photos — can create printable or emailable reports to expedite police or insurance paperwork.

A free membership lets users manage 10 items at a time. The top-of-the-line subscription can track 12,000 items and costs $5 a month.

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E-mail Alice Truong at techcomments@usatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter: @alicetruong.