Data Recovery FAQ | Costs, Turnaround, Process | Data Doctor

Question 1

Which file systems and operating systems can you recover data from?

Accepted Answer

We recover data from Windows (NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, ReFS), macOS (APFS, HFS+), Linux (ext2/3/4, XFS, Btrfs), Unix and older systems such as DOS, OS/2 and NetWare. We also recover data from NAS devices, virtual machines and RAID arrays, whatever operating system they run.

Question 2

Can data be recovered from a RAID array?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We recover RAID 0, 1, 5, 6 and 10 arrays from servers, NAS devices and desktop storage. Each disk is imaged first, then the array is rebuilt in software so your original disks are never written to. RAID 0 recovery costs £650 + VAT and RAID 5, 6 and 10 from £850 to £1,500 + VAT, depending on the number of drives. See RAID 5 data recovery .

Question 3

Can you recover my data if my computer won't start?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A computer that won't start usually still has its data intact on the drive. We remove the drive, or repair the computer where the storage is built in, and recover your files. Bring or send the drive or computer to our London lab for a free initial consultation.

Question 4

Can you recover data lost to a virus or ransomware?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. Files deleted or damaged by malware can usually be recovered. Ransomware is harder because the files are encrypted, but we can often recover earlier copies, shadow copies or unencrypted fragments. See ransomware data recovery .

Question 5

Can you recover data after a liquid or water spill?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in many cases. Switch the device off straight away and don't try to charge or dry it with heat. The sooner we can clean the components and stop corrosion, the better the chances. Success depends on how much damage the liquid has caused.

Question 6

How should I pack my hard drive for posting?

Accepted Answer

Place the drive in an anti-static bag, then wrap it in at least 5 cm of bubble wrap or foam so it can't move. Use a sturdy cardboard box, not a padded envelope. Include your name, phone number and a short description of the problem, and use a tracked, insured service.

Question 7

What is a clean room and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

A clean room is a workspace where the air is filtered to remove dust and other particles. The heads of a hard drive fly a few nanometres above the platters, so a single speck of dust can cause a crash. Any repair that involves opening a drive must be done in a clean room. Our lab uses an ISO 5 (Class 100) clean room.

Question 8

Who uses your data recovery services?

Accepted Answer

Our clients include home users, photographers and creative professionals, small businesses, schools and universities, law firms, public sector organisations and large companies across London and the UK.

Question 9

What kinds of data loss can you handle?

Accepted Answer

We handle both physical and logical data loss, including failed or clicking drives, dropped or water-damaged devices, deleted or formatted files, corrupted partitions, failed RAID arrays and servers, firmware faults, virus and ransomware damage, and devices that won't power on.

Question 10

What are the signs of a failing hard drive?

Accepted Answer

Common warning signs include the computer slowing down or freezing, files that won't open, frequent crashes or blue screens, error messages when saving, and clicking, grinding or beeping noises. If you notice any of these, back up your important files immediately.

Question 11

Should I use a local repair shop for data recovery?

Accepted Answer

A repair shop can fix many computer problems, but physical data recovery needs a clean room, specialist tools and experience. An unsuccessful attempt can make the data unrecoverable. If your data is important, use a specialist data recovery lab from the start.

Question 12

What should I do if my hard drive has crashed?

Accepted Answer

Switch the computer or drive off and don't restart it. Don't run recovery software, CHKDSK or disk repair tools. Contact us for a free initial consultation – the less the drive is used after it fails, the better the chances of recovery.

Question 13

Will I get my original hard drive back?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We return your original drive with your recovered data, unless you ask us to destroy it securely.

Question 14

How will I receive my recovered data?

Accepted Answer

Your recovered data is copied to an external hard drive or USB stick, which you can buy from us at the current market price. Small amounts of data can sometimes be returned in other ways – ask us when you get your quote.

Question 15

Can I recover files deleted from the Recycle Bin?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes. When the Recycle Bin is emptied, Windows marks the space as free but doesn't erase the data straight away. Stop using the computer to avoid overwriting it. Recovering deleted files from a standard hard drive costs £99 + VAT. Note that deleted files on SSDs may be erased quickly by TRIM.

Question 16

What is a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)?

Accepted Answer

A blue screen, or stop error, appears when Windows hits a problem it can't recover from. Causes include faulty drivers, failing hardware and corrupted system files. Repeated blue screens can be an early sign of drive failure, so back up your files. If the computer no longer starts, contact us.

Question 17

My hard drive is clicking. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Switch it off immediately. Clicking usually means the read/write heads have failed, and every time the drive runs it can scratch the platters. A head replacement in our clean room usually allows the data to be recovered. The clean room diagnostic costs £79 + VAT.

Question 18

Do you recover data from laptops?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We recover data from all laptop brands, including Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, Asus, Acer and Toshiba, whether the drive has failed, the laptop has been dropped or liquid has been spilled. See laptop data recovery .

Question 19

How can I prevent data loss in future?

Accepted Answer

Keep at least two backups of important files, one of them offsite or in the cloud, and check regularly that they work. Replace ageing drives before they fail, protect computers from power surges, and handle laptops and external drives carefully. Don't install new software or save files to a drive you are trying to recover data from.

Question 20

What are simple ways to back up my data?

Accepted Answer

Use an external hard drive with Windows File History or Apple Time Machine, a cloud service such as OneDrive, iCloud or Google Drive, or a NAS device for a home or office. The best approach combines a local backup with a cloud or offsite copy.

Question 21

Will my data be kept confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our lab has controlled access, and your data is handled only by our engineers for the purpose of recovering it. Recovered data is returned only to you. We hold ICO data protection registration ZA060744.

Question 22

Can all my lost data be recovered?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, a large proportion of the data can be recovered. The result depends on the type of damage – for example, scratched platters or overwritten files can limit what's possible. We'll tell you what we expect to recover after the diagnosis, before you commit to the recovery.

Question 23

How long does the diagnosis take?

Accepted Answer

The initial consultation is free and usually quick. If the drive has a physical fault, the clean room diagnostic normally takes around 24 hours. Complex cases, such as RAID arrays with several disks, can take longer.

Question 24

What happens during the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

First, a free initial consultation tells you whether the fault is physical or logical and the best way to recover your data. For physical faults, we then carry out a clean room diagnostic (£79 + VAT): the drive is opened and inspected, and we identify the damaged parts and whether a donor drive is needed. You then receive a quote before any recovery work begins.

Question 25

How long does data recovery take?

Accepted Answer

Most standard recoveries are completed within 2 to 4 working days of approval. Logical recoveries typically need 24 to 48 hours of recovery work. Complex physical, RAID or server recoveries can take longer. An emergency service is available for urgent cases.

Question 26

How much does hard drive data recovery cost?

Accepted Answer

Prices depend on the fault. The initial consultation is free and tells us whether the problem is physical or logical. Recovering deleted files from a standard hard drive costs £99 + VAT. For physical faults, a clean room diagnostic is £79 + VAT and physical recovery of a single drive is £450 + VAT for labour, plus a donor drive if one is needed. SSD, RAID and NAS prices are on our data recovery price list . All prices exclude VAT.

Question 27

My laptop hard drive is making grinding or rattling noises but still works. Should I get it checked?

Accepted Answer

Yes – back up your files straight away, then have the drive checked. Grinding or rattling noises usually mean a mechanical problem that will get worse. Copying your data while the drive still works is much cheaper and safer than recovering it after it fails.

Question 28

I accidentally deleted photos from my laptop. Can they be recovered?

Accepted Answer

Very often, yes. Deleted photos usually stay on the drive until new data overwrites them, so stop using the laptop and don't install recovery software on it. Recovering deleted files from a standard hard drive costs £99 + VAT. If your laptop has an SSD, contact us quickly, as deleted data can be erased automatically.