data corruption Archives

Tech Optimizer

January 14, 2026

Introducing PostgREST, a REST API for any PostgreSQL database written in Haskell

PostgREST is a web server developed in Haskell that converts PostgreSQL databases into RESTful APIs, offering a more efficient and standards-compliant alternative to manual CRUD programming. It achieves subsecond response times for up to 2000 requests per second, utilizing the Warp HTTP server and offloading tasks like JSON serialization and data validation to the database. Authentication is managed through JSON Web Tokens (JWT), with authorization based on database-defined roles. PostgREST avoids using Object Relational Mappers (ORMs) and encourages declarative constraints in databases to maintain data integrity. User feedback has been mostly positive, although some have expressed concerns about complexities in production environments.

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Microsoft’s ReFS File System Remains Inaccessible to Windows 11 Users

Microsoft's Resilient File System (ReFS) supports volumes up to 35 petabytes and offers robust data protection through checksums and continuous integrity checks, reducing the risk of data corruption. However, Windows 11 defaults to the NTFS file system, requiring users to use command-line tools to access ReFS features, which may deter average consumers. ReFS is primarily designed for Windows Server environments and has not gained popularity among general users. Testing shows that Windows 11 formats new drives as NTFS, making ReFS less accessible. ReFS can experience performance degradation on single-drive consumer PCs compared to NTFS and lacks features like file system compression, encryption, object IDs, and extended attributes, raising compatibility concerns. Microsoft has introduced the Agent Launchers framework for AI agent registration in Windows, amidst user backlash regarding the evolution of Windows into an "agentic OS." The Windows and Devices segment generated .3 billion in the last fiscal year, remaining flat over three years, while Gaming and LinkedIn generated higher revenues. Users have reported frequent feature changes and declining quality in Windows 11, with Microsoft's Controlled Feature Rollout system causing inconsistencies across devices. ReFS is accessible through the Dev Drive feature in Windows 11, which prioritizes performance over security. Microsoft faces competition from various fronts, including Valve's SteamOS, Apple's upcoming MacBook, and Google's Chrome OS, particularly in the education sector.

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Windows Registry Tweak Unlocks 80% SSD Speed Boost on Consumer PCs

A modification in the Windows Registry can enable a native NVMe driver, potentially doubling the performance of solid-state drives (SSDs) by enhancing random read and write speeds by up to 80%. This driver is typically reserved for enterprise environments and is not officially available for consumer versions of Windows 11. The modification carries risks, including the possibility of rendering a system unbootable and disrupting features like BitLocker encryption. Early adopters have reported mixed results, with some experiencing significant performance improvements while others face stability issues. The tweak highlights the disparity between consumer and enterprise hardware capabilities and reflects ongoing discussions within the tech community about optimizing SSD performance.

Winsage

December 28, 2025

Your Windows SSD Could Be Faster, Microsoft’s New Update Reveals Why

Microsoft introduced a native NVMe driver in Windows Server 2025 to improve SSD performance by eliminating bottlenecks associated with the SCSI translation protocol. This driver allows for direct communication between NVMe drives and Windows, resulting in substantial improvements in random IOPS and reduced CPU overhead for enterprise systems. Tech-savvy users have found a way to enable this driver on Windows 11, leading to reported increases in throughput of up to 45 percent in specific storage tests. The performance enhancements are particularly noticeable in random access workloads, although users should be cautious when modifying the Windows registry due to potential risks. Speed improvements may not be significant for average users but could benefit power users and those running IOPS-intensive applications.

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 Fixes App Crash Issue on Pixel Devices

Google has released Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 to fix a bug causing certain applications, including Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and various banking apps, to crash upon launch. The update is available for eligible Pixel phones in the Android Beta Program, starting with the Pixel 6 series. Most users will receive build CP11.251114.007, while the Pixel 7a has a different variant. The OTA package is about 60MB. Initial feedback shows that the update has resolved crashes for most banking applications, but some Microsoft apps still have launch issues. Users are cautioned that opting out of the beta after installing this update may risk data corruption.

Tech Optimizer

December 20, 2025

Identity Theft Protection vs. Antivirus: Where to Spend First

Antivirus software and identity protection services serve different purposes in digital security. Antivirus software protects devices from malware, offering real-time protection and scans, but it does not monitor personal information or financial accounts outside the device. In contrast, identity theft protection services monitor personal information like Social Security numbers and financial accounts, alerting users to potential identity theft and providing recovery assistance. The choice between these services depends on individual circumstances, with antivirus software recommended for device security and identity monitoring prioritized for those concerned about identity theft. Free strategies to enhance security include using free antivirus software, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular updates to devices and software.

Tech Optimizer

December 12, 2025

Friday tickets and 6 TB of WAL: a day in the life of a Postgres Professional support engineer

Technical support at Postgres Professional involves both troubleshooting and engineering tasks, requiring deep product knowledge and the ability to replicate issues in test environments. A notable incident involved a client whose pg_wal directory grew to 6 TB due to a checkpoint process failure, which was resolved by disabling the archive_timeout parameter. Clients typically have a strong technical background, but support engineers must also communicate effectively, especially with stressed clients. Essential skills for support engineers include a thorough understanding of Postgres Pro, operating systems, networking, and programming. Opportunities for growth within technical support are abundant, and the future may see AI taking on simpler tasks while complex cases remain for human engineers.

Tech Optimizer

December 1, 2025

Risks of Manual PostgreSQL Starts in Patroni Clusters: Downtime Warnings

Patroni is an open-source tool for managing PostgreSQL clusters, automating failover and replication. Manual starting of PostgreSQL services within an active Patroni cluster can lead to severe disruptions, including data integrity issues and availability risks. Patroni uses a distributed consensus system, often with etcd or Consul, to manage cluster state and leader elections. Manual interventions can confuse this process, resulting in multiple nodes believing they are the primary, which can cause conflicting writes and potential data loss. Real-world incidents have documented outages due to manual starts, such as promoting a replica node to leader status inadvertently. This disrupts Write-Ahead Logging (WAL) synchronization, leading to divergent transaction logs. Database administrators are advised to use Patroni's built-in commands for service management and implement role-based access controls to prevent unauthorized manual actions. Monitoring solutions are crucial for early detection of anomalies. Simulating failure scenarios in staging environments can help prepare teams for real incidents. Ongoing advancements aim to enhance Patroni's safeguards against manual overrides, with future iterations potentially incorporating AI-driven anomaly detection.

Tech Optimizer

November 13, 2025

Using delayed read replicas for Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL disaster recovery

Human errors can significantly threaten business continuity, with a single incorrect DELETE statement or mismanaged application deployment potentially corrupting critical business data. Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS) provides automated backups and transaction log backups to mitigate these risks. Traditional recovery methods often involve creating new database instances and executing point-in-time recovery, which can take hours for large databases. AWS has introduced delayed read replicas for Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL, which maintain a standby replica that intentionally lags behind the primary database by a configurable time interval. This allows users to identify data corruption on the production instance and promote the replica before problematic operations are executed. Promoting the delayed replica to become the new primary cluster can be done within minutes. The feature can be enabled using the recovery_min_apply_delay parameter in specific PostgreSQL versions. Delayed replicas address three main use cases: preventing accidental data modifications, protecting against logical errors in applications, and enabling auditing and forensic analysis of data changes. They act as an "undo buffer," complementing disaster recovery strategies by providing a real-time point-in-time recovery mechanism. To set up delayed replication, the recovery_min_apply_delay parameter must be configured. The process involves creating a custom database parameter group, modifying it to set the desired delay, and applying it to the read replica instance. The parameter is static, requiring a reboot to take effect. The delayed replication feature also includes two recovery functions: pg_wal_replay_pause() to pause the recovery process and pg_wal_replay_resume() to resume it. If WAL replay is paused, it must be resumed to prevent excessive storage consumption. In a recovery scenario, if a user accidentally drops a logical database, the delayed replica provides a crucial opportunity to implement a recovery plan before the DROP statement propagates. The recovery process involves pausing WAL replay, capturing replica metrics, setting recovery target parameters, and promoting the read replica to become the new primary. Best practices for implementing delayed replication include comprehensive monitoring of storage space, enabling storage auto-scaling, managing WAL log accumulation, and regularly reviewing the delayed replica’s replication status.

Winsage

November 6, 2025

I’m exhausted by incessant Windows 11 bugs – and the return of the BitLocker recovery glitch is an ugly sight

Microsoft has acknowledged a new issue affecting Windows 10 and Windows 11 users related to the BitLocker encryption feature, causing unexpected booting into BitLocker recovery mode, particularly for users unaware of their encryption key. This problem primarily impacts Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, and Windows 10 version 22H2, with Intel-based systems being the most affected. Users are advised to ensure their encryption key is available or consider disabling BitLocker due to the frequency of issues. Microsoft has indicated that this bug should not result in data corruption.