External Hard Drive Data Recovery
We recover data from USB portable and desktop external drives that were dropped, unplugged at the wrong moment, or have simply stopped showing up.
Signs you need recovery
- The light comes on but the drive does not appear
- It spins up, clicks and spins down
- It was knocked over or dropped while running
- It asks to be formatted or initialised
- It worked on one computer and not on another
What not to do
- Do not agree to format or initialise the drive.
- Do not try a different power adapter on a desktop drive unless it is the correct one. The wrong voltage destroys the electronics.
- Do not take a portable drive out of its case expecting a normal connector. Many have the USB socket built into the drive.
How we recover it
We first establish whether the fault is the enclosure, the drive's electronics or the drive itself. Where the enclosure encrypts the data, as many WD models do, the original bridge board is kept with the drive so the data can be decrypted after imaging.
Worth knowing
- A drive that was dropped while spinning usually has head damage, even if it was only a short fall.
- Portable drives of 4TB and 5TB are thicker 15mm drives that do not fit most laptops or cheap enclosures.
What it costs
From £99 + VAT. The price depends on what has gone wrong far more than on how much data there is. Use the data recovery calculator for an estimate. The initial consultation is free, and the price is confirmed before recovery starts.
Makes we recover
Questions
How much does external hard drive recovery cost?
From £99 + VAT. The exact figure depends on the fault, and we confirm it after examining the drive, before recovery starts.
Will my files be kept private?
Yes. We open files only to check that the recovery worked, and the recovered data is returned to you on a separate drive.
How do I get it to you?
Bring it to Unit 1 The Willows, 80 Willow Walk, London SE1 5SY, or call 020 7237 6805 to arrange courier collection. Pack a bare drive in an anti-static bag with padding on every side.