Data Recovery
Data recovery, on site
A drive has failed or files were deleted and you need them back.
A drive has failed or files were deleted and you need them back.
The approach depends on what failed. Deleted files on a working drive can often be found with recovery software, as long as nothing has written over them. A drive with bad sectors needs a careful sector-by-sector image made first, so recovery works from the copy rather than the failing original. A drive that clicks, buzzes or isn't detected may have a mechanical fault needing a specialist clean-room lab.
What the technician does
- Assess the drive without making things worse
- Recover what can be recovered to a new drive
- Set up backups so it doesn't happen again
Stop using the drive straight away - every write lowers the chance of recovery.
About data recovery
After assessing it we tell you honestly which situation you're in. If it's a lab job, we explain why and help you decide whether the data justifies it. For recoverable drives, files are copied to a new drive and checked by opening a sample of photos and documents to make sure they aren't corrupt. SSDs differ: TRIM can clear deleted data quickly, so acting early matters even more.
What usually causes it
- Files deleted or a drive formatted by mistake
- External drive dropped or knocked off a desk
- Drive no longer shows up on the computer
- Memory card or USB stick saying it needs formatting
- Computer died with no backup
Before we arrive
- The affected drive or computer, switched off
- A list of the most important files or folders
- A new drive to receive the recovered data, if you have one
- When the files were last seen and what happened since
What a visit looks like
When you book data recovery, you tell us what's going on and we reply with a time that suits you and a price. Nothing starts until you're happy with both.
On the day, the technician arrives, looks at the problem in person and confirms the plan with you before starting. If something turns out different from what was expected - a part is needed, or the cause is somewhere else - we stop and agree the change with you first.
When the work is done we test it with you, show you what was changed, and leave the area tidy. For business jobs we note what we did, so there is a record for whoever looks after your IT next.
Pricing
Each data recovery job is priced before work starts. The price depends on what's involved - the size of the site, the equipment, and whether parts are needed - so the quickest way to a number is to tell us about the job on the booking form.
There is no contract and no monthly fee. You book the job you need and pay for that job.
Data recovery: questions
My external drive says it needs formatting. Should I click yes?
No. Formatting makes recovery harder. Cancel the message, safely disconnect the drive and leave it alone. That warning often means the file system is damaged while the files themselves are still there.
Can data be recovered from an SSD as easily as from a hard drive?
Not always. SSDs clear deleted data in the background, so deleted files may already be gone, and failed SSDs can be harder to read. Stopping use straight away gives the strongest chance.
Do you do data recovery on site?
Yes. We come to businesses and homes across Auckland and Hamilton and do the work where the equipment is.
How much does data recovery cost?
It depends on what's involved. Tell us about the job on the form and we'll confirm the price before any work starts.