Backup tapes are reliable for long-term storage, but they are not perfect. Cartridges wear, drives for older formats disappear, and a tape written years ago may not read today. Datarecovery.com recovers, restores, and converts data tapes in every common format, and our no data, no charge guarantee applies to tape recovery the same way it applies to hard drives.
Tape services
- Tape data recovery. Recovery of files from damaged or unreadable cartridges, including magnetic, physical, and logical damage, accidental overwrites, and tapes written by backup software that is no longer available. Most tape recoveries are completed within several days.
- Tape restoration. Transfer of the full contents of a tape set to hard drives or other media so the data becomes readable and searchable. Common for legal discovery, audits, and decommissioning old systems.
- Tape conversion. Migration of an archive from an aging format to a current one.
- Tape duplication. Exact copies of any number of cartridges. See tape duplication.
Supported formats
We maintain working drives for every popular format, including:
- LTO Ultrium
- DLT and SDLT
- IBM cartridges and reels (3590 and others)
- DDS and DAT
- AIT and S-AIT
- QIC, SLR, VXA, and Data8
- Open-reel and many legacy cassette formats
Backup platforms we read include ARCserve, Legato, NovaStor, NT Backup, Retrospect, Tapeware, Tivoli, UltraBac, Veritas, and dozens of older systems, including AS/400, Burroughs, Unisys, VAX, and Wang formats. If your format or platform is not listed, call us. The lists above only cover the common ones.
How a tape case works
- Open a case online or by phone and tell us the format, the number of tapes, and the backup software if you know it.
- We evaluate the tapes in the lab and send you a firm quote and a turnaround estimate before any work starts. Priority and emergency options are available, and emergency service runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- After your approval, tape specialists read the media on well-maintained hardware, check the output for errors, and return the data on hard drives, new tape cartridges, or other media of your choice.
Security
We follow Department of Defense information security standards for every case. Tapes are handled in a controlled environment, data is never stored on internet-connected computers, and access to your media is tightly limited. Nondisclosure agreements are available on request.
Call 800.237.4200 for a quote on tape recovery, restoration, or conversion, or start a case online.