Frequently Asked Questions - Data Recovery
1) How long does it take to recover data?
It depends on the severity of the problem, the type of service required and if spare parts are required from overseas. Generally it takes between 1 and 20 days.
2) What would be the cost of recovery data?
3) Is it always possible to recover lost data?
If the hard drive did not suffer prior mishandling most likely the data will be recovered. Otherwise it can be very complex and costly.
4) When are you unable to recover lost data?
We are unable to or it becomes difficult to recover data in the following cases:
- In areas that the information was overwritten on a hard drive that was formatted or was erased accidentally. To minimise this risk do not continue to use the hard drive.
- When a hard drive has been infected with a virus that encrypts files, and the client has continued to use the hard drive until traces of the decryption keys have disappeared.
- If the platter is deteriorated due to being struck with force, sudden movements while the hard drive is functioning or deformations inside the hard drive which have a diverse range of causes. Often they are a result of the client or an inexperienced technician trying to retrieve the information by cycling on and off the device or trying to run basic utilities that are not suitable to address this kind of problem. This desperation, invariably causes critical damage to the logical structure of the data itself and/or internal components of the hard drive.
5) My data is lost, what do I do?
6) After the data is recovered can I continue to use the hard drive?
In cases where the problem is caused by the malfunctioning or damage of the physical elements inside the hard drive it will no longer be able to function, and in cases where a donor drive (spare parts) are required again the hard drive will no longer function.
If the problem is outside the casing of the hard drive, it will depend on whether the defect is in the printed circuit board (PCB) and is reparable. If the problem is repairable or logical in nature we may not only recover the data but the hard drive as well.
7) How will my recovered data be returned to me?
In which ever storage device you provide (it can not be the same hard drive that was recovered) or if you would like we can offer a new External HDD at an extra cost.
8) Is there anything I can try to recover the data?
Any attempt to recover data carries a risk to that data. In 90% of the cases in which no data can be recovered it is due to mishandling of the hard drive after the original incident that caused the loss of data.
9) What should I do if my hard drive is making a "clicking" noise?
If this occurs, disconnect from the power source immediately. This noise signifies that the Head Reader ("needle" that reads the drive´s platter) is in contact with the platter, this is extremely problematic if it continues as the hard drive will become unrecoverable as the head is scratching the platter where all your data is stored.
10) Do you have a clean room? Is it necessary?
Yes, we have a clean room which is certified. Any attempt to open a hard drive without this expensive piece of equipment puts the data contained on the hard drive at serious risk.
11) How do I choose where to take my hard drive?
Where you choose must have at minimum: specialised engineers in data recovery, a clean room and PC-3000 (specialised hardware and software tools).
12) Why can I not use free data recovery programs from the internet?
The technique of multiple readings searches by default the recovery concatenated of the archive, trying to achieve a re-reading of information even on areas with deteriorated magnetic media (where before the deterioration there was information to be recovered). This technique, when used in cases of previous magnetic deterioration, causes a new incremental deterioration extending the damage to other sectors which ultimately leads to the total destruction of the data without leaving the possibility of recovery.
13) Will you be able to recover ALL my data?
No one is able to guarantee this without the chance to complete a diagnosis.
14) How do I send my hard drive?
15) ¿What are your confidentiality and privacy policy?
16) Is there a difference between a reparation service and a recovery service?
Yes. With a reparation service the client is not interested in the data contained in the hard drive, they are only interested in repairing the hard drive for future use. This is possible, either because the hard drive has already been backuped or simply because the client is not interested in any information that might exist on the hard drive. In many cases the techniques required to carry out a reparation result in a total loss of data. In contrast, with a recovery service different and more sofisticated techniques are employed. Our engineers require more time and more advanced equipment to preserve the data on a damaged hard drive. Hence the price difference between the two services.
17) Is it possible to remove the drive´s platter(s) and read them with an universal reader?
No such reader exists on earth. The hard drive is an extremely complex device. Data recovery can be compared to a complex operation, yes, it's that complicated. Hard drives are unique and there is no tool or device that can read them all. A hard drive that was assembled last year in the same factory with one made last month may be completely incompatible and therefore one would not even be of use for spare parts for the other. Incompatibilities may cause a fatal error or deterioration which will permanently damage the hard drive. Companies with no experience in data recovery run the risk of losing customer data forever due to an error committed by ignorance.
There are several manufacturers of hard drives and it is no surprise they find themselves competing with design ideas, methods of reading/ writing, etc. What they do and how they design their hard drives is maintained secret. This means that each different brand manufactures hard drives different to the other. Different design, different firmware, different electronics, different everything.
Data Recovery is one of the professions in the world where the training, knowledge and tools are very expensive and scarce. In our case we have engineers (UTN) with international training and are part of a global network that brings together the best professionals in the world, this allows us to be leaders in Argentina.
When a hard drive has an internal mechanical problem, we need to replace affect parts. Finding a donor drive for spare parts means matching the model number, version of Flash ROM, firmware revision among otherthings. This is one of the reasons why a data recovery service can be so expensive. Depending on the brand, model and type of hard drive and its scarcity in the market, the donor parts can be expensive and in most cases (if found) must be imported from one of the few providers of donor drives that exist in the world. In some occasions it is necessary to purchase more than one donor drive to recover all of the data from a hard drive.
18) I only want to recover my data, why do I need a donor drive?
Faced with internal physical damage, there is no other way to recover the files without fixing your hard drive first. If you need to retrieve the data, the drive must be temporarily repaired, so that we can access and retrieve information from the damaged sectors.
19) Can I take my hard drive to various technicians to compare diagnosis's?
If the hard drive is deteriorated it is possible that there would not be a second chance to achieve a diagnosis or recover the data.
