Recently, we searched for “failing hard drives” to see whether the internet was dispensing bad advice regarding drive failures (and to see if our name came up). Google’s experimental A.I. answered our question — and promptly provided instructions that could potentially cause permanent data loss. 

“If you notice noises, performance issues, or other signs of hard drive failure, you should take action quickly to save your files,” Google’s AI explains. “You can try running a S.M.A.R.T. scan or a CHKDSK scan on your disk. You can also try backing up your device.”

Granted, Google’s generative AI search results are experimental — but this is awful advice. Here’s why. 

CHKDSK isn’t intended to fix hard drive issues.

CHKDSK (Check Disk) is a command-line utility included with Microsoft Windows operating systems that checks the file system and file system metadata of a volume for logical and physical errors. It can also fix some types of errors with the file system — but no software is capable of fixing failing read/write heads, damaged motors, or other hard drive components. 

If you use CHKDSK on a failing hard drive, several (bad) things can happen: 

• CHKDSK will attempt to create a list of errors on the disk, which requires scanning each sector. 
• On a failing drive, practically every sector may be marked as an “error,” leading to widespread file corruption. 
• CHKDSK will rarely permanently destroy data, but by overwriting the file system, it can greatly complicate data recovery efforts.

The bottom line: If you need the data on a failing hard drive, do not run CHKDSK. You should only use the utility if all of the following are true:

1. You have a backup of all important data;
2. You’re experiencing performance problems related to an improper shutdown or other logical (non-physical) issues; or
3. You simply want an overview of your hard drive’s health.

Don’t treat CHKDSK as a data recovery utility. It’s for improving performance, not restoring files (though it may resolve logical data corruption in some circumstances). 

Related: “Hard Disk Failure Is Imminent” Error Message: What to Know

If you notice signs of hard drive failure, follow these steps.

If your data is accessible, immediately back up important files. Try to do a targeted backup of key files/folders; creating a full clone of the drive is an intensive process and might exacerbate physical issues. 

If the data is not accessible:

1. Make a list of any symptoms that preceded the failure, including unusual noises (such as clicking, whirring, or grinding sounds) and error messages. 
2. If possible, make a list of important files or file types. 
3. Keep the drive powered off. 
4. Find a qualified data recovery provider. Physical hard drive issues must be treated in an appropriate cleanroom environment; Datarecovery.com operates cleanrooms at each of our full-service laboratories, and all of our facilities are equipped to perform hard drive data recovery. 
5. Remove your hard drive and package it appropriately according to your provider’s instructions. If you’re not comfortable removing components from your computer, find a computer repair shop. 

Datarecovery.com offers a no data, no charge policy for all hard drive failure scenarios, which provides peace of mind as your case progresses. If we’re not able to recover the files you need, you don’t pay for the attempt.

Each case begins with a risk-free evaluation. Contact us today at 1-800-237-4200 or fill out our online case form to get started.  

The post Don’t Use CHKDSK On a Failing Hard Drive appeared first on Datarecovery.com.

Of course, not every case is recoverable — and our clients often ask us whether data recovery is impossible in specific scenarios.

The quick answer: We need to evaluate the device. No data recovery provider can accurately determine the chances of recovery without an in-laboratory analysis; even in extreme circumstances, the data may be recoverable (for example, fire- and flood-damaged hard drives are frequently treatable with appropriate equipment). 

But certain data recovery scenarios have a much, much lower chance of success. Below, we’ll discuss a few of those situations. 

Datarecovery.com provides free media evaluations, and we support all of our services with a no data, no charge guarantee: If we’re not able to restore your files, you don’t pay for the attempt. 

To get started, call 1-800-237-4200 or submit a case online.

1. Overwritten Data (Under Certain Circumstances)

If you delete a file or format a hard drive — and take no other action — there’s a good chance that your data is still recoverable. However, when data is overwritten, the chances of recovery plummet. 

The Department of Defense (DoD) and other organizations recommend overwriting data several times to ensure full sanitization; realistically, however, a single overwrite is enough to prevent a complete recovery from a hard drive. On solid-state drives and flash drives, the prognosis is even worse.

The good news: If you’re not intentionally destroying your data with data sanitization software, the chances of a full overwrite are quite low. However, the device will need to be cloned (copied) to maximize the chances of recovery.

Read more: Do “File Shredder” Programs Really Work?

2. Hard Drive Platter Damage

Hard drives store data on platters, discs coated in a thin magnetic material. If the material is damaged, the data is destroyed — but modern hard drives have a number of technical features to prevent this from happening. 

Of course, read/write head crashes still happen, and they can be severe. Here’s a case we received with significant platter damage:

These badly scored hard drive platters were damaged by a failing head assembly.

This typically occurs when the user allows the hard drive to run following a physical failure. Platter damage can occur in seconds, but severe rotational scoring is almost always partially user error. 

If your hard drive makes unusual noises or shows any signs of physical damage, turn it off immediately. Do not operate the drive. Get a professional assessment from a qualified data recovery firm.

Read more: What Does Hard Drive Platter Damage Look Like?

3. Certain Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware encrypts data, preventing the user from accessing files unless the ransom is paid. 

Paying a ransom may be illegal, and it’s often ineffective: Decryption tools supplied by bad actors aren’t always helpful, and some may cause extensive corruption. 

Fortunately, many ransomware variants use outdated encryption techniques, and data recovery is often possible. Even if that’s not the case, ransomware specialists can identify the vector of attack, form a disaster recovery strategy, and provide other services that reduce the fallout for victims.

Related: Are Ransomware Decryption Tools Safe?

All data loss scenarios must be evaluated by a professional.

Very few cases fall under one of the scenarios described above. If a hard drive has platter damage, data recovery technicians may be able to read other parts of the drive to restore some data — and if data is accidentally deleted, an experienced technician can usually restore the files.

Ultimately, every situation is different. While some scenarios have a relatively low chance of success, engineers must assess all of the factors in each case and inspect the storage media to create a recovery plan.

If you’ve lost important data, we’re here to help. Schedule a free evaluation online or call 1-800-237-4200 to get started. 

The post When Data Is “Gone Forever:” 3 Impossible Data Recovery Scenarios appeared first on Datarecovery.com.

Every professional data recovery firm needs to maintain a hard drive parts inventory. Otherwise, providing quick turnaround times is practically impossible — and if a data recovery firm orders a unique “donor” drive for every single case, that usually means that they’re overcharging their clients.

Datarecovery.com maintains the industry’s most extensive storage media inventory with tens of thousands of hard drives, solid-state drives, and other devices. Below, we’ll showcase a few pictures of a portion of our inventory, taken at our Edwardsville location. We’ll also explain how our engineers use our inventory to deliver better results for our clients.

A Searchable Resource for Hard Drive Components

If your hard drive’s actuator heads fail, engineers will need another set of actuator heads — and in some cases, a new printed circuit board (PCB), a new spindle, or other components.

To find parts that work, engineers need a quick way to find exactly what they’re looking for. That can change depending on the drive’s brand, architecture, and model.

Adding to the difficulty: Most hard drive vendors aren’t selling storage media for use in data recovery. Vendors typically won’t include parameters like firmware revision number or part number, which are important to an engineer but unimportant for other users.

If a vendor does provide highly specific parameters, they’re marketing their products towards the data recovery industry — and a single hard drive might cost hundreds of dollars. At Datarecovery.com, we work to keep our pricing affordable. While we don’t charge clients for parts fees, we have strong incentives to keep rates low by limiting unnecessary expenses and passing on the savings to our clients.

With that in mind, we track our entire hard drive parts inventory with a custom-built database. When engineers add a drive to our media library, they enter information about each key parameter, along with notes about the drive’s overall condition.

Some of the factors we track in our system include:

• Manufacture date and firmware revision number
• Drive condition (including a list of functional components)
• Serial number, model, and capacity
• Interface (typically SATA, IDE, or SCSI)
• Media type (hard drives, solid-state drives, hybrid drives, or other)
• The number of platters and actuator heads, which sometimes varies within a product lineup or model number
• CPU parameters related to the processor on the board of the drive
• Part numbers (which can indicate different values depending on the drive’s brand and model number)

This isn’t a complete list. Our library database stores 20 distinct points of information, along with detailed notes from engineers describing the specific parameters of each hard drive.

Each Datarecovery.com laboratory has a dedicated parts inventory

Unlike other providers, we maintain fully outfitted laboratories at all four of our locations. Our objective is to treat each case efficiently while ensuring the best possible results for our customers — that means treating every case in the laboratory where it was received.

Each lab has its own storage media library, and we track inventory through our shared database. While each laboratory is well-supplied with common donor drives from major manufacturers, our engineers can also follow an established process to request overnight delivery of donors for another lab when necessary.

We also maintain relationships with a number of vendors and manufacturers to limit the time we spend sourcing parts for rare devices. In other words, if one of our laboratories doesn’t have an essential component from a hard-to-find drive, we can typically find a donor within a day or two.

Constant Replenishment: Maintaining Our Data Recovery Parts Inventory

While we’re always prepared to order parts for an unusual case, our engineers don’t enjoy waiting 3-4 days for USPS deliveries (and neither do our clients). We allocate a large portion of our annual budget to keeping our parts library well-stocked with common and rare models from every major brand.

In addition to vendors, we have another resource for maintaining our library: unwanted hard drives from our clients and partners.

At the end of our hard drive data recovery process, most of our clients have no interest in receiving their original media. Those drives aren’t reliably functional — all repairs completed during the data recovery process are temporary at best, so we return all data on new media designated for the purpose.

With our clients’ permission, we offer secure media destruction services, which use National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sanitization methodologies to demagnetize and permanently erase the damaged media. After data has been securely destroyed — and after the original drives have been evaluated thoroughly to ensure that they do not contain any data from previous clients — we move the parts from the damaged hard drives back into our inventory. This approach allows us to grow our parts library and maintain low costs for our services.

With free hard drive evaluations, industry-leading technology, and a comprehensive no data, no charge guarantee, Datarecovery.com is a worldwide leader in professional data recovery services. Learn more by calling us at 1-800-237-4200 or click here for a free quote.

The post A Look Inside Datarecovery.com’s Hard Drive Parts Inventory appeared first on Datarecovery.com.

But what happens during a data recovery media evaluation? The quick answer: Engineers determine why your device failed, whether data is recoverable, and what they’ll need to do in order to restore the data to a functional state.

To make those determinations, our engineers look for key factors that will indicate the difficulty of the recovery. Here’s a basic overview of the process.

Data recovery engineers inspect your media for signs of permanent data loss.

In our laboratories, we frequently say that if the data exists on the device, we’ll find a way to recover it — but severe failures may physically remove the data.

Hard drives contain platters, spinning disks coated with a thin layer of magnetic material. A set of actuator heads read and write the data from the platters. Under normal conditions, the actuator heads never come into direct contact with the platters; when the hard drive fails, however, the heads may physically “crash,” scraping off the magnetic material and permanently destroying data.

During the evaluation, we open each drive and visually inspect the platters for signs of damage. This always occurs in a certified cleanroom. Storage media devices (especially hard drives) can sustain damage when exposed to dust and other airborne contaminants; cleanrooms are highly filtered to eliminate these contaminants.

Through a visual inspection, we can typically provide an immediate analysis of the device’s recoverability. Severe platter damage is, well, severe. Here’s an example of a drive with severe platter damage:

Modern hard drives have numerous safeguards to prevent severe failures, and data recovery techniques have advanced substantially over the last decade. In some cases, engineers can read the areas around the platter damage to provide a partial copy of the data (we don’t charge our clients if we’re unable to recover their requested data in a usable condition).

Put simply, we rarely declare cases unrecoverable during the evaluation. However, if platter damage is significant, we’ll inform our clients that the case has a low chance of success.

Solid-state drives and flash drives are less susceptible to physical media damage. For these cases, we visually inspect components for electrical damage, then move on to the next step.

Related: When Is Data Recovery Impossible? 

Data recovery engineers look for signs of component damage.

To create a plan for recovery, our engineers need to inspect actuator heads, spindles, printed circuit boards, and other components to make sure they’re in a functional condition.

As a simple example, if a hard drive’s platters cannot spin freely, we’ll know that the drive may have spindle damage — we’ll need to inspect the spindle to determine why this occurred, but we can compare the case to similar cases from our historical knowledge base to create a working hypothesis.

Our engineers will use information provided by the client during this phase of the evaluation. If you’re considering data recovery, we strongly recommend keeping a list of failure symptoms to help engineers analyze the device properly. If your case paperwork simply says, “it no longer works,” it’s not especially helpful. However, if you tell us that the drive makes a clicking sound and fails to boot, we’ll know which components require the most attention.

Related: How Can I Tell If My Hard Drive is Broken?

Engineers consider media specifications before providing a data recovery quote.

If your media requires physical repairs, its specifications are important; engineers will need to replace damaged components with working parts from a donor. If a device is extremely expensive or rare, finding a donor can be difficult.

To avoid delays in case processing, Datarecovery.com maintains an extensive library of donor drives. We collect thousands of drives from every manufacturer, and we provide our customers with transparent information about their cases as they progress — if we need to order parts from one of our suppliers, we explain the situation.

With that said, we’re able to recover the vast majority of cases without lengthy delays. On average, our standard hard drive recovery services have a turnaround time of about 3-7 business days. By regularly sourcing donors for hard drives, solid state drives, and other devices, we’re able to maintain industry-leading turnaround times while keeping costs affordable.

We look for logical issues that could affect data recovery.

After evaluating media physically, engineers may attempt to operate the device. This only occurs if the drive shows no signs of media damage — operating a hard drive with damaged components can cause permanent data loss.

Engineers will determine whether the drive can boot and whether data is accessible. If the drive can operate safely, we use proprietary utilities to diagnose the extent of logical (non-physical) damage.

Engineers do not recover data during the media evaluation.

The purpose of the media evaluation is to create a roadmap for data recovery, not to actually recover the data. After analyzing your media, we provide a risk-free quote that includes:

• A not-to-exceed estimate of the cost of recovery
• An estimated turnaround time
• A description of the data loss scenario

Datarecovery.com does not charge for standard hard drive media evaluations. We also support our services with a no data, no charge guarantee — if your case is unrecoverable, you don’t pay for anything (not even return shipping). With certified clean rooms and real laboratories at every location, we offer industry-leading success rates with affordable pricing.

To learn more, call us at 1-800-237-4200 or click here to schedule a free media evaluation.

The post What Happens During a Data Recovery Media Evaluation? appeared first on Datarecovery.com.

Imagine taking your car to a mechanic that charges a flat rate for every service. Whether you’re getting a routine tune-up or a new transmission, you’ll pay a few hundred dollars.

Most consumers wouldn’t trust the mechanic — especially with a labor-intensive vehicle repair. In order to make a profit, the mechanic would need to cut corners, purchase low-quality parts, or refuse to provide service to some clients.

Unfortunately, flat-rate hard drive data recovery has many of the same problems. At Datarecovery.com, our customers often ask why we evaluate every hard drive before providing a quote. The quick answer: Media evaluations enable our engineers to analyze issues and estimate the chances of a successful recovery.

Even so, many services offer flat-rate hard drive recoveries with no media evaluations. Are they scams, or do they provide a real service?

Here’s how flat-rate data recovery services (usually) work.

Most flat-rate data recovery services charge a set fee for recovery attempts. Rates typically range from $100-800, and some companies on the higher end of that scale maintain reasonable success rates for certain types of hard drive failures. Some companies charge regardless of the case result, but others offer guarantees: If the recovery attempt is unsuccessful, the customer doesn’t need to pay.

Flat-rate hard drive data recovery gives some consumers peace of mind, since they understand the exact cost (or possible costs) of the service before shipping off their media. However, this approach has several significant problems.

Some hard drive issues can be fixed in minutes.

The first major issue: Flat-rate services can’t guarantee a good price for every type of issue. For instance, hard drive actuator head failures (also called “head crashes”) can be severe — but some head failures can be addressed easily with basic tools. While all repairs should take place in a certified cleanroom, these types of issues don’t require much time.

At Datarecovery.com, we charge our minimum rate for these types of data recovery cases. That rate is lower than the average cost of flat-rate data recovery. However, companies that offer flat rates won’t inform their customers that their cases are “easy,” nor will they reduce the cost if they receive a hard drive that operates normally when it arrives at the lab.

But by sending your drive to a flat-rate service, you agree to pay the rate — period. You may end up overpaying for a relatively simple data recovery.

Related: How Much Does Data Recovery of a Hard Drive Cost?

Hard drive data recovery frequently requires mechanical repairs.

To treat some types of failures, engineers must replace components like actuator heads or spindles in a certified cleanroom. This temporarily restores the device to a working state.

Many hard drive components are specific to the model number or firmware revision number of the device. Performing a successful repair requires a donor drive, which must exactly match the specifications of the damaged drive. We maintain an extensive library of parts for that reason, and we constantly replenish our inventory.

If a hard drive isn’t common, donor drives can be expensive. In a recent case, we purchased a $600 drive to use for parts — it’s hard to imagine a company making that investment when the customer will only pay $400 for data recovery services. For some cases, multiple donor drives are required to achieve the best recovery. Will the flat-rate service with a price that is already set put in the necessary resources or call it quits early?

Likewise, most flat-rate services can’t afford to spend tens of thousands of dollars on laboratory outfitting. Firmware repair tools, for example, are commonly used in professional data recovery labs. The tools require extensive training and proprietary programming, and while they’re useful in a variety of failure scenarios, they‘re an enormous investment. For data recovery companies with limited resources, the purchase doesn’t make sense.

As a result, many flat-rate services refuse difficult cases or declare them “unrecoverable” after a half-hearted attempt. This can lead consumers to believe that they’re out of options. But a well-equipped data recovery laboratory whose goals align with customers’ goals might be able to return a functional copy of the missing files.

Related: Hard Drive Data Recovery FAQ

Some services use methods that could cause data loss.

Without a physical media evaluation, engineers can’t determine the cause of the failure. Companies that offer flat-rate services may use data recovery software on every hard drive they receive — regardless of the failure scenario. Data recovery software can address many simple issues, but it can also cause severe media damage.

When a hard drive is physically damaged, the actuator heads can come into contact with the magnetic platters that store your data. As the hard drive spins, the heads can physically remove the magnetic material, permanently removing the data from the drive.

Running software on a failed hard drive is a bad idea, but for some flat-rate data recovery companies, it’s standard practice.

Related: When Is Data Recovery Impossible?

Professional data recovery services take a different approach.

While we’re opposed to flat-rate data recovery, we want to acknowledge that some companies are able to maintain reasonable recovery rates. Many operate in good faith and take responsible steps to recover each case.

However, the business model simply doesn’t support the best practices of the industry: As a general rule, flat-rate providers charge more for relatively simple cases and post low success rates for severely damaged hard drives.

Datarecovery.com uses a different approach. Our engineers take every possible step to return the customer’s data in a working condition, regardless of the failure scenario, the type of requested files, or other factors.

To provide our customers with peace of mind, we use a streamlined process to evaluate media and reduce costs:

• A professional data recovery engineer evaluates the drive in a certified cleanroom. We write a detailed report identifying the cause of the failure, then provide a quote for the recovery.
• You decide whether to approve the case. If you decline, we ship back your hard drive — you pay for shipping costs, but we don’t charge for the evaluation.
• If you approve the quote, we perform the recovery. You’ll only pay if we’re able to recover your data in a usable state. In the rare cases where data is unrecoverable, we pay for return shipping.

At each stage of the process, we have the same goal as our customers — to recover their lost data. We’ve built our reputation by investing heavily in research and development. We have strong incentives to provide transparent information about each case we receive: Many of our clients are resellers, computer repair shops, or IT departments, so we operate under the assumption that our customers understand how our engineers work. If a case requires simple data recovery methods, we keep pricing as low as possible.

We believe that our approach protects consumers while allowing for the highest possible success rates. To learn more, read about our hard drive data recovery services or click here to set up a case online.

The post The Problem With Flat-Rate Hard Drive Data Recovery appeared first on Datarecovery.com.

Just as your mechanic cannot provide you with a car repair quote without seeing your vehicle, no reputable data recovery company can provide a price quote without evaluating your hard drive in a laboratory. However, your data recovery provider should offer clear information about their pricing policies (we’ve outlined our hard drive data recovery process here).

For hard drives, data recovery pricing is based on a number of factors including:

• The hard drive’s failure scenario.
• The extent of the damage to physical components.
• The hard drive’s brand, model, and firmware revision number.
• The amount of time that engineers will spend restoring the data.
• The cost of any parts and other lab resources required.

The cost of hard drive data recovery is not affected by the size, type, or number of files that you need to recover. In other words, the recovery process is the same regardless of whether you need one file or the entire contents of the hard drive.

Some companies offer flat-rate hard drive data recovery, but there’s a catch.

Different types of hard drive failures require different resources. If a user deletes something by accident, an engineer may be able to use data recovery software to restore the missing files in a few minutes — but if a hard drive has a failed spindle, engineers will need to replace the damaged components in a certified clean room. Many of the hard drives we receive have multiple issues; each requires careful treatment from experienced professionals.

When data recovery companies offer flat rates, they have no incentive to give extensively damaged hard drives the appropriate level of attention. While we can’t comment on the practices of specific companies, we’ve determined that many flat-rate data recovery providers declare drives as “unrecoverable” prematurely. The bottom line is with that payment structure, they do not necessarily have the same goal as the customer who wants to recover their data.

There’s another good reason to avoid flat-rate services: When a hard drive fails due to physical component damage, forcing the drive to operate can cause permanent data loss. Many flat-rate services use data recovery software as a first step in their recovery process — this can severely reduce the chances of a successful recovery. For some, running software can actually be the full extent of their recovery process.

Related: When Is Data Recovery Impossible?

What types of hard drive failures carry high data recovery costs?

We categorize hard drive failures as either physical or logical failures. Physical failures occur when one or more hard drive components stop functioning. Logical failures occur due to software-related issues or user error (for instance, accidental file deletion or corruption).

In general, physical hard drive failures carry higher data recovery costs than logical failures. However, our pricing is largely based on the number of hours engineers allocate to each case. Some logical issues — such as extensive file corruption — can take as much time to repair as damaged electronic boards, crashed read/write heads, and other severe physical failures.

In short, any hard drive failure can be expensive, given the right (or wrong) circumstances. Fortunately, the opposite is also true: Even when a hard drive displays serious symptoms of a physical failure (such as grinding sounds or boot failure), the cost of hard drive data recovery can be extremely affordable.

Related: The Cost of Data Recovery

Do I pay if data recovery engineers can’t recover files from my hard drive?

Usually, no. Most major data recovery companies offer some sort of guarantee; if files aren’t recovered, clients pay a low evaluation fee (often less than $100) and the cost of return shipping.

At Datarecovery.com, we offer an extensive “no data, no charge” policy for all hard drive cases: If our engineers aren’t able to recover the files you need, you don’t pay at all — no evaluation fees or return shipping costs. We’re able to offer this policy by maintaining high success rates; all of our locations feature full-service laboratories, experienced engineers, and state-of-the-art data recovery technology.

Related: Hard Drive Data Recovery FAQ

If you’re dealing with data loss, trust the industry leader in hard drive data recovery.

Datarecovery.com offers free hard drive evaluations with detailed case reports and turnaround time estimates. With expedited service options, advanced proprietary technology, and exceptional success rates for all failure scenarios, we give you the peace of mind you need to restore your files quickly — without exhausting your budget.

Call us today at 1-800-237-4200 or fill out our online case submission form to get started.

The post How Much Does Data Recovery of a Hard Drive Cost? appeared first on Datarecovery.com.

Hard Drive Data Recovery: Frequently Asked Questions

How does the data recovery process work?

Engineers will evaluate your hard drive, provide a quote for recovery, then wait for your approval. If the drive is physically damaged, engineers will work in an ISO Class 4 cleanroom to restore the drive to an operable state, then make a copy (clone) of the device. If the drive has sustained permanent damage, our engineers can often access the data from the undamaged portion of the hard drive. We work under carefully controlled conditions to minimize the chances of an additional hard drive failure after the repairs.

If the hard drive lost data due to accidental deletion or for another logical (non-physical) reason, we create a clone of the drive, then use proprietary tools to restore your files.

After recovering the data, we transfer your files to another device, then send that device to you. We maintain a temporary copy of the data onsite for a short period. Datarecovery.com offers a “no data, no charge” policy for standard hard drive recovery cases. If our engineers are unable to recover your data, there is no recovery fee and there will be no charge at all unless you have a specialty return shipping request.

Does the “no data, no charge” policy apply to every case?

If your case requires 24/7 emergency treatment, we may charge a non-refundable fee for our evaluation. However, our “no data, no charge” policy still applies to the quoted recovery fee.

Why do some companies charge evaluation fees?

Hard drive evaluations require trained engineers to spend time analyzing failures, and some companies charge fees for this service. We offer free quotes for standard cases because we understand that no two cases are the same — if your case isn’t recoverable or if you decide not to pursue recovery after receiving a quote, we don’t think you should be penalized. It’s no-risk for the customer.

What happens if I decline data recovery after receiving a quote?

We will return your hard drive via your selected shipping method. You’ll only pay for shipping and handling. Your drive will be in its original condition; because we open hard drive enclosures in a certified cleanroom during evaluations, some stickers may be replaced.

If you do not need your hard drive returned, we can securely destroy and recycle it using appropriate media sanitization techniques at no charge.

Why do data recovery companies evaluate hard drives before providing quotes?

No two cases are identical, even when hard drives are manufactured by the same brand. Evaluating the drive allows us to determine whether recovery is possible and which components will need to be repaired. Data recovery companies that charge flat fees tend to have lower success rates, since certain cases may not result in a profit.

However, flat rate pricing may be appropriate for some other types of data storage devices; these devices typically don’t require treatment in a cleanroom, and their recovery processes are more predictable.

Can I reduce the costs of data recovery by targeting certain files?

In most cases, no. When restoring physically damaged hard drives, our engineers make a complete clone of the entire drive. We are unable to target specific files during this process. That’s also true for cases that don’t have physical damage — the first step is to create a complete clone, and targeting individual files doesn’t save time or reduce the costs.

Even so, if you’re searching for a specific file (or files of a specific type), let us know. Our no data, no charge policy applies to the files you identify as important. If we’re unable to recover that data, you’ll pay no recovery fee.

Can I remove or replace the hard drive’s printed circuit board?

We would advise against it. The printed circuit board may contain firmware that tells the drive how to operate. This firmware is drive-specific, and it’s written at the factory. Even if you’re able to find a printed circuit board from the same model of hard drive, installing it could cause irreversible media damage. We can only attempt data recovery on hard drives that have all of their original components.

Can I run data recovery software on a failed hard drive?

Running data recovery software will cause the drive to operate — and if the hard drive is physically damaged, this can literally remove the magnetic material that stores your data. We recommend turning the hard drive off at the first signs of damage, particularly if you hear unusual noises or if your operating system doesn’t recognize the device.

Why is a cleanroom important for hard drive data recovery?

Hard drives rely on extreme precision to operate, and a series of filters prevent contaminants from entering the drive’s enclosure. Opening a hard drive in an unsecured environment introduces contaminants and can cause permanent media damage.

With a certified cleanroom, data recovery engineers can safely repair or replace the physical components of the hard drive. The minimum cleanroom classification for hard drive recovery is ISO Class 5; in the ISO classification system, lower numbers mean fewer contaminants per cubic meter. All of our cleanrooms are certified as conformant with ISO Class 5 or Class 4. View our certification information and testing results here.

What makes a case unrecoverable?

Hard drives store data on a thin layer of magnetic material, which covers one or more platters. Actuator heads read this data without ever coming into contact with the platters.

If the heads come into contact with the platters, the magnetic material may be removed, and data recovery engineers cannot restore data when this occurs. However, they may be able to read data from around the damaged areas.
Permanent data loss can also occur when files are securely deleted — meaning that the magnetic charges are fully overwritten — or when malicious software encrypts files with newer encryption algorithms.

With that said, most hard drive data recovery cases are successful. Recovery chances vary by model and failure scenario, but we maintain industry-leading success rates for all major hard drive brands.

My drive clicks or makes another unusual sound. What’s causing the noise?

Hard drives may make unusual sounds for a number of reasons, and strange noises don’t necessarily indicate that your drive is unrecoverable. The most common causes include:

• Failure of the hard drive’s actuator heads, which read and write data.
• Failure of the spindle, which spins the platters, allowing the actuator heads to function.
• Failure or damage to the motor that operates the spindle.

Noises are serious symptoms. We recommend turning your hard drive off immediately if it stops functioning normally, even if it’s still accessible. Running the drive in a failed state can cause irreversible data loss.

Does my hard drive’s warranty cover data recovery?

Generally, hard drive warranties do not cover the costs of data recovery. There are exceptions — if a well-known flaw in the drive’s construction led directly to data loss, or if the drive had vulnerabilities that allowed for a malicious attack (via a virus or ransomware), the manufacturer may extend their warranty to cover certain data recovery services. Check with your drive’s manufacturer if you believe this is the case. However, most hard drive warranties only cover the replacement of the actual hardware.

Will data recovery services void my hard drive’s warranty?

No. Warranty terms vary greatly, but all major hard drive manufacturers allow professional data recovery companies to open and repair drives. You’ll still be able to submit a request for warranty replacement of your device.

Will my home or business insurance cover hard drive data recovery?

Some business insurance policies offer coverage for hard drive data recovery, but you’ll have to check with your insurance provider to see whether your case is covered. Most home insurance policies do not cover data recovery under typical circumstances, but we’ve worked with insurance providers that cover our services for fire- or flood-damaged drives.

We recommend reaching out to your insurance provider. Data recovery can be expensive (though that’s not necessarily the case), and if your insurance company will cover the costs, you’ll want to document the process carefully. Datarecovery.com can provide assistance if you have coverage — when opening your case, let us know, and we’ll take appropriate action.

Will the data recovery company return my drive in a usable state?

If the drive has sustained physical damage, no. If your drive sustained logical damage — for instance, you accidentally deleted files — the drive may be usable. However, we will return your files on a separate device such as an external hard drive or flash drive (see below).

If engineers repair my drive during the data recovery process, why can’t they return my files on that same device?

At Datarecovery.com, we take data privacy seriously. All recovered data is stored on closed systems that aren’t connected to the internet, and our engineers operate on non-disclosure agreements. Any purposeful or accidental disclosure of client data is grounds for immediate termination and litigation. Confidentiality is a standard part of every data recovery case.

Even if our engineers are able to restore your drive to a functional state, it probably won’t remain in that condition for very long — repaired components are less reliable than factory-built components, and our laboratories use specialized techniques to read the data from recovered hard drives. To put it simply, the “repaired” drive isn’t reliable or usable.

When data is lost due to accidental deletion, malware infection, or for another reason unrelated to the physical state of the hard drive, we still return data on a separate device to ensure that our clients receive a full, working copy of their files.

Does Datarecovery.com keep a copy of my data?

We maintain a copy of recovered data for 30 days after shipment. If your return shipment is lost in the mail or if the return media arrives damaged (we’ll note here that both of those scenarios are extremely rare), we’ll be able to prepare a second shipment.

However, we do not store data indefinitely. We destroy all client backups in accordance with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines for data sanitization.

Will data recovery engineers look at my data?

With your permission, we may open individual files to ensure that your recovery is successful. Wherever possible, we’ll use other methods to verify the recovery — our laboratories have developed software tools specifically for this purpose.

At Datarecovery.com, we take data privacy seriously. All recovered data is stored on closed systems that aren’t connected to the internet, and our engineers operate on non-disclosure agreements. Any purposeful or accidental disclosure of client data is grounds for immediate termination and litigation.

How can I improve my chances of successful hard drive data recovery?

The short answer: Turn off your hard drive immediately. Don’t make any attempt to recover the data. Regardless of the failure scenario, operating the drive reduces the chances of success.

You can also improve your case outcome by packaging your hard drive properly (see below) and by providing as many details as possible about the failure. Make a note of any unusual noises, error messages, or other symptoms that could help our engineers analyze and address the problem.

How should I package my drive for shipping?

Internal hard drives should be placed in an anti-static bag (these can be found at most electronics stores). If an anti-static bag is not available, aluminum foil or a clean plastic bag should provide sufficient protection from static discharge. External hard drives do not require static protection. Wrap the hard drive tightly in 3 or more inches of bubble wrap, taping all sides to prevent the drive from impacting the sides of the box.

Pick an appropriately sized box. We do not recommend envelopes since one tear could cause your device to be lost during shipment. The drive should not be able to move around; if you hear it shifting in its box, you’ll need to re-package it. You can also ship your hard drive in its original factory packaging, but make sure it’s completely immobile. Choose a shipping company that can provide tracking information.

How can I prevent data loss in the future?

Every digital storage device eventually fails — while hard drives have an expected lifespan of 3-5 years, some fail much sooner. Others function for over a decade, but eventually, their mechanical components wear out. Solid-state drives and other devices have similar lifespans.

The only way to prevent data loss is to keep backups of your important files. We recommend keeping at least two backups, including one offsite backup (cloud backup services are an excellent option for consumers). Check your backups regularly to make sure they’re complete and usable.

If you’ve suffered data loss, we’re here to help. Fill out our case form for a free quote or call us today at 1-800-237-4200.

START DATA RECOVERY

The post Hard Drive Data Recovery FAQ appeared first on Datarecovery.com.

DVRs generally use standard storage media such as hard drives to store their data as they are low cost and effective. This makes our initial recovery process much like that of other data recovery cases, as we need to diagnose problems and do what it takes to obtain a clean clone of the data. Some devices use RAID and of course we are experts in RAID data recovery as well. However, where it begins to differ is in the way data is stored.

How Security System DVR Data is Stored and Accessed

Unfortunately, data on a DVR device is usually not stored in plain video files, and this can be a critical detail if there is any kind of damage, if the original device no longer functions, or any other circumstance requires data recovery professionals to work with the underlying data.

In most cases, you can’t just remove the DVR’s storage (hard drive or other), plug it into a computer, and view and copy off video files. Usually you need to use the DVR’s interface to export video that is playable in a common format. The reason for this is based on how a DVR functions. Making an efficient DVR system can be at odds with that kind of portability. For example, a DVR system can let you seek quickly around vast amounts of video and export video between two specific times. An indexing system can be used to allow for this, meaning additional metadata is inserted at regular intervals within the video data (that is not present in normal video data).

Another example lies with security systems having potentially many cameras recording to the same place at once. To record this data efficiently to disk, the video streams are recorded to the same physical location, taking advantage of the high sequential performance of hard disks and also preventing constant thrashing and premature wearing of the hardware. To be able to record multiple streams to the same place, the data streams are multiplexed – meaning they are broken up into bite-sized chunks that can be written quickly, and chunks from different cameras are written in rotating fashion. If one were able to view the stored video data, it would appear as jumping rapidly among the multiple cameras showing short bits of video from each.

How Video Data is Recovered

Fortunately we have plenty of experience recovering video from security system DVRs. We normally ask that the DVR device itself be sent along with the storage because sometimes it can be used to help in the recovery process. In cases where logical damage is found, however, using the device is likely not possible, and our work relies on analyzing and processing the raw data. We have developed software to help in situations such as this, for finding video index markers in raw data, extracting video data while cutting out DVR-specific metadata, and piecing together video chunks from different camera streams into single videos for each camera. With our tools and expertise, we have the ability to recover the data from a very broad range of security DVR and networked DVR systems including but not limited to Lorex, Hikvision, Zmodo, JVC, Q-See, as well as surveillance data stored by software solutions such as BlueIris, Ispy, or Zoneminder.

In the end, no matter what the reasons for failure, we strive to provide our client with the video data they need. We have a solid track record of DVR data recovery, and the equipment and expertise needed to tackle any DVR storage failure.

If you need help recovering your video data, please let us answer your questions today – call 800.237.4200.

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A fire-damaged hard drive.

When a hard drive is damaged in a fire, data recovery procedures need to begin as soon as possible. Never try to operate a fire-damaged storage device. Even if the drive seems physically intact, operation may cause permanent data loss (we’ll explain why below). 

Datarecovery.com provides reliable solutions for fire-damaged hard drives. To schedule an evaluation, submit a case online or call 1-800-237-4200 to speak with an expert.

Below, we’ll explain how we treat fire- and smoke-damaged media. We’ll also provide some basic tips for preserving your hard drive and avoiding accidental damage.

Fire Damage Data Recovery: Basic Processes

Hard drives store data on a series of platters, discs coated in a thin magnetic material. The platters are protected by a metal chassis, and even in cases of extreme heat, platter damage is unlikely to occur immediately (though sustained fires can eventually cause warping and even “boil off” the magnetic coating that stores user data).

In most cases, the hard drive’s printed circuit board (PCB) is destroyed or severely damaged. Provided that the platters are intact, however, data recovery is possible.

While data recovery engineers create a unique recovery plan for each case, the basic process for fire-damaged hard drive data recovery is as follows:

• Cleaning. As soon as the hard drive arrives at our laboratory, soot, ash, and other contaminants are removed.

• Evaluation. The hard drive’s electronics are assessed to determine whether they are salvageable. The platters are inspected for signs of warping, rotational scoring, or other non-recoverable damage.

• Physical Data Recovery. Donor parts are used to restore the drive to a functional condition. Because of the nature of modern hard drive electronics, it may be necessary to adjust/rewrite the drive’s firmware with specialized equipment. 

• Logical Data Recovery. Corruption and file damage are addressed with specialized software. 

• Verification. Engineers verify that the recovery is successful by inspecting files with hex editors or other tools. With the client’s permission, individual files may be opened to ensure that they are usable. Our engineers follow strict controls to maintain privacy and security when working with recovered data.

• Data Restoration. The data is returned to the client. After the client verifies that their files are accessible, the original fire-damaged drive is scheduled for secure destruction. 

Because certain factors have an outsized impact on success rates (such as the length and severity of the fire), we do not advertise recovery rates for fire-damaged hard drives. However, most drives are fully recoverable, and we provide an estimated chance of recovery during our evaluation.  

Avoid Data Loss After a Fire, Flood, or Other Disaster

Take these steps to optimize your chances of a successful data recovery:

• Do not attempt to operate the drive under any circumstances. Data recovery software cannot treat physical media damage (regardless of what software developers claim).

• Don’t clean the drive. Soot, ash, and other contaminants must be addressed carefully in a certified cleanroom. Home cleaning chemicals and water will cause further damage.

• If the drive is wet, don’t attempt to dry it. This can accelerate corrosion. Likewise, don’t add water to the shipping container — leave the drive in the condition that you found it.

• If shipping, package the hard drive carefully. Extreme heat weakens the internal components of a hard drive, so safe packaging is especially important. Pack the drive in an anti-static bag and about 5 inches of bubble wrap, taking care to ensure that the hard drive is firmly placed in the box and unable to move during transit.

• If dropping off your drive, choose a data recovery provider that operates laboratories at every location. Datarecovery.com does not operate “shipping offices,” and each of our locations is fully outfitted to treat fire-damaged media.

• Contact a qualified data recovery provider as soon as possible. Timing can make a difference, and most professional laboratories will automatically treat fire-damaged hard drives as priorities. Make sure that your provider has relevant experience with severely damaged storage media.

Expert Resources for Fire-Damaged Hard Drive Data Recovery

Datarecovery.com has successfully recovered data from hundreds of fire-damaged hard drives, RAID arrays, solid-state drives (SSDs), and other storage media. We support our services with a no data, no charge guarantee, which ensures that you don’t pay full cost for a failed attempt. 

Call 1-800-237-4200 to get started or set up a data recovery evaluation online.

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Nevertheless, data recovery cases are often received in which rebuilds or server changes were improperly handled, resulting in some form of data loss and even overwritten data. This can be catastrophic for IT departments, as the NAS and RAID systems offered by Aberdeen often hold terabytes of vital information. As such, we treat every data recovery case on a Aberdeen LLC device as a priority. Even in extreme cases, our experience in the field and knowledge of the various file systems used by Aberdeen LLC has led to a high recoverability rate, even when data has been partially overwritten.

Recovery Process for Aberdeen Devices

Data recovery on Aberdeen LLC devices typically involves two phases: a standard hard drive recovery phase (if data has been lost due to a hard drive failure), followed by a specialized approach to rebuild each system of drives in the correct order to recover intact data. This second phase is addressed on a case by case basis, as the high level of specialization in Aberdeen LLC devices makes a universal data recovery plan impossible.

Only high-level engineers with experience with RAID, NAS, and various other multi-drive arrays are allowed to work on Aberdeen LLC devices, and we work closely with our clients to develop a plan based on the operating system, file system, the exact cause of the failure, and other variables. Many modern Aberdeen LLC devices use VMWare virtualization software, and Datarecovery.com engineers are leaders in VMWare recovery techniques. You can read more about our techniques and capabilities for VMWare systems by speaking with a member of our data recovery team – call 1.800.237.4200 to get started.

Remote Recovery Options for Aberdeen Data Recovery

Because of the high level of complexity involved, some Aberdeen LLC cases are recovered onsite. This is especially true when a hard drive failure caused the data loss. However, in many instances remote recovery is possible, although the possibility of remote recovery needs to be directly assessed by a data recovery engineer.

Remote recovery requires secure, block level access to the array or NAS. Engineers connect to the system, repair damaged VMFS volumes or other volumes dependent on the operation and design of the device, and allow the volume to be easily mounted. This process minimizes downtime and can sometimes be completed in only a few hours.

Supported Aberdeen Devices

Datarecovery.com supports recovery on the following Aberdeen LLC devices. As data recovery techniques are constantly improving, it’s impossible to list every recoverable system, and recovery techniques will vary for different devices. Contact us to speak to an engineer for an estimation of your case’s cost and the likelihood of recovery.

Please note that this is not a complete list.  We currently offer data recovery services for all Aberdeen storage systems.

• Aberdeen AberNAS 211
• Aberdeen Sterling 267
• Aberdeen Petarack SAN
• AberSAN Z-Series
• AberSAN-FC Kit and Other Fibre SAN Devices
• Aberdeen AberNAS LX Series
• Aberdeen XDAS iSCSI Series
• All Aberdeen JBOD Devices (including JBOD expansion sets)
• Aberdeen iSCSI SAN Series
• Aberdeen XDAS and NAS Servers

If you’re interested in remote recovery, call us today at 1.800.237.4200 to speak with an engineer who can assess whether remote recovery is possible on your device.
Call us now at 1.800.237.4200 for a free consultation.

ABERDEEN RAID

*Aberdeen is a registered trademark of Aberdeen, LLC. and is not affiliated with Datarecovery.com, Inc. in any way. All product names, registered trademarks, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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