If the drive is failing, switch it off now. Every restart of a damaged drive can destroy more data. Don't run recovery software on it or keep trying it.
Signs you need this
- The drive clicks, beeps, grinds or makes no sound at all
- The computer says the drive needs formatting
- The drive is not detected, or shows the wrong size
- Folders are empty or files will not open
- The computer freezes or is very slow when it reads the drive
- An external drive was dropped or knocked over while in use
Logical or physical?
Hard drive failures fall into two groups. Logical faults are problems with the data rather than the drive: deleted files, an accidental format, a corrupted partition or a damaged file system. The drive itself still works, so we can usually recover the data without opening it.
Physical faults mean part of the drive has failed, such as the read/write heads, the motor or the circuit board. These drives are opened only in our clean room, because a single speck of dust on the platters can destroy data. Some physical recoveries need parts from a matching donor drive.
Drives we recover
- 2.5-inch laptop hard drives
- 3.5-inch desktop hard drives
- External USB and portable drives, including LaCie, WD My Passport and Toshiba Canvio
- Drives from Western Digital, Seagate, Toshiba, Hitachi, Samsung, Verbatim and others
- Drives removed from laptops or computers that no longer start
How we recover your files
We start with a free consultation to work out whether the fault is logical or physical and what the best approach is. For physical faults we carry out a clean room diagnostic, then quote you before any recovery work begins. Recovered files are copied to a new external drive, a drive you provide, or your repaired computer.
Prices
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Initial consultationFind out whether the fault is logical or physical | Free |
| Deleted files on a standard hard driveIncludes up to two hours of work | £99 + VAT |
| 24 to 48 hours of recovery workDepends on drive size: £150 + VAT for 1TB up to £250 + VAT for 4TB | £150 to £250 + VAT |
| Clean room diagnosticFor drives with physical faults | £79 + VAT |
| Physical recovery on a single driveLabour, plus a donor drive if needed | £450 + VAT |
| Donor driveWe send you a link to buy the right donor drive. If you'd like us to buy it for you, we add 30% plus any import charges and VAT | You buy and provide it |
Prices exclude VAT. We confirm your price before any recovery work starts. See the full data recovery price list.
Questions
My hard drive is clicking. What should I do?
Switch it off and leave it off. A clicking drive usually has a head fault, and every time it spins up the heads can scratch the platters and destroy more data. Bring it in and we will assess it.
Can I try recovery software first?
Only if the drive is healthy and the problem is deleted files. If the drive clicks, is slow, or disconnects, recovery software makes things worse because it works the failing drive hard for hours.
Do you need my computer or just the drive?
Just the drive is fine. If you are not sure how to remove it, bring the whole laptop or computer and we will take the drive out.
What is a donor drive?
Some physical repairs need parts, such as heads, from an identical drive. We send you a link to buy the right one, or we can buy it for you.