How to Find a Data Recovery Service

Hard disk failures are so common that data recovery is a multi-billion dollar industry. If you need to recover deleted photos, have a hard drive repair, or retrieve data for a business, a data recovery service can help to deal with the panic of losing files and information. Learn how to find a data recovery service and retrieve lost information for peace of mind.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Hard drive or hard disk
• Box
• Packing materials
• Packing tape

1. Determine which type of error is involved: mechanical or logical. Is the hard drive physically damaged in any way? Then it is a mechanical issue. Is the hard drive fine but the computer cannot access the files? It's likely a logical issue, and the computer cannot navigate its own paths to find the stored information.

2. Attempt to back up the data. Hook up an external hard drive or another computer and attempt to back up the data from the hard disk. If this is impossible, move on to the next step.

3. Download data recovery software for logical failure. Follow the directions. If the problem is not able to be solved with this software, or if the problem is mechanical, move on to the next step.

4. Find a trustworthy data recovery service online or in your local area. Stick to companies that are members of major trade associations such as the Global Data Recovery Alliance.

5. Ask the hard drive repair company to do a diagnostic test series and to give a quote for the job.

6. Get three separate quotes for the job, even if you are in a rush. Some unscrupulous corporations will overcharge for people who are desperate.

7. Choose the company that offers the highest chance of success, that has a solid track record and that charges a reasonable fee. Research options carefully and look for promotions online and in print to find a good value.

8. Mail or hand-deliver the hard drive to the data recovery service.

9. Purchase a solid data back up system to prevent ever having to handle hard drive data recovery issues again.

Tips & Warnings

• Online companies can be as good, and cheaper, than local companies.

• Never try to manually fix a physically-damaged hard disk.

• Mailing a hard disk via regular mail is discouraged, as it could get lost. Use an insured overnight service.

Resources

• Data Recovery Service - Where to Turn
• Global Data Recovery Alliance