Keep PC Safe

A data recovery service is a company that specializes in retrieving files and information,

especially from computers that have been damaged or destroyed. While data recovery software

can be used to recover information that has been deleted or from hard drives that have been

corrupted, if there is physical damage to the drive, you will probably need to call a data recovery

service. There is most likely physical damage to your drive if there are unusual sounds coming

from it, especially clicking, buzzing or scraping noises. Data recovery software will probably not

be able to recover information lost to a damaged drive, and may make it harder for a data

recovery service.

All hard drives contain both mechanical and electronic parts. The mechanical parts can wear

out over time, rendering the drive inoperable. The information is still on the drive, but is

inaccessible to you. It takes a professional technician to recover the data. A hard drive cannot

be opened in a regular environment, because any dust can damage the surface of the disk. A

reputable data recovery service will operate a clean room where they can safely disassemble

your drive, free from dust or electrostatic discharge.

Data recovery services are also needed if the drive has been severely damages by fire or

water. The skills needed to coax data from such a drive are beyond those of a typical computer

technician. There are techniques for retrieving files in these cases, however, and a data

recovery service should be able to help you.

There are many companies out there that offer data recovery services. Just do a Google

search for data recovery to find one near you. Different companies will offer different levels of

service, with a corresponding difference in price.

When shipping your drive to a data recovery service, you will want to wrap it in an anti-static

material. A freezer bag is sufficient if there is nothing better. If you still have the original

packaging you should use that, otherwise find a sturdy box about twice as large as the drive.

Use foam padding or bubble wrap to protect the drive inside the box. Do not use Styrofoam

peanuts as they attract static electricity. If your drive has suffered water damage, it is important

that you do not attempt to dry it. The drive needs to be dried under sealed conditions within a

clean room. You should include a damp sponge with the package in order to keep the drive

from drying out enroute.

When looking for a data recovery service try to find one that can offer some levels of guarantee

about their work. Some firms will first try to clone your drive and repair the clone, leaving your

damaged drive untouched. It is also nice when the data recovery company will store your data

for a period after recovery to ensure that a backup exists until you are confident you have

replaced the data on your system.