While Dell doesn’t manufacture hard drives, they do build computers. Lots of them!

Dell data recovery is something many of our customers are looking for because they have a Dell computer that crashed or was struck by lightning. Seeing the dreaded Blue Screen of Death? No power at all? You need Dell data recovery.

Just check out our easy to follow instructions on how to identify and remove the actual hard drive from the Dell computer and send it to us. If you need any help just call us and we’ll be happy to help. Dell data recovery is something we excel in and we look forward to serving you.

Happy Recovery!

Data Recovery, Dell, Hard Drives

We offer data recovery on all types of hard drives including Seagate.

Seagate has been manufacturing hard disks since around the late 70′s and design good hard drives. In our experience, Seagate data recovery isn’t needed more that another type of hard drive. We have lots experience with Seagate drives because of how available they are to consumers.

Have a Seagate hard drive in need of data recovery? Just fill out our easy online form and send us the drive. If you have a warranty we are happy to RMA the drive once we complete the recovery process – just let us know what the RMA number is and pay shipping costs.  For your peace of mind, our labs do not invalidate any warranties.

Seagate Data Recovery? Click here!

Data Recovery, Hard Drives, Seagate

We offer data recovery on all types of hard drives including Western Digital.

Western Digital, often referred to as WD,  has been making hard drives since the early 80′s and make good hard drives. Western Digital data recovery isn’t needed any more that any other brand of drive in our experience. We do have great experience with Western Digital (WD) drives because of how common they are in the marketplace.

If you have a Western Digital hard drive in need of data recovery simply fill out our easy web form and send us the disk. If you have a warranty situation we are happy to RMA the disk for you after recovery – just let us know what the RMA number is and pay shipping. Western Digital accepts drives directly from DriveFish and our labs do not invalidate any warranty so you can rest at ease.

Western Digital Data Recovery? Click here!

Data Recovery, Hard Drives, Western Digital

When your disk arrives at the DriveFish headquarters, your order is scanned into our secured database (you’ll get an email letting you know we received it) and then assigned to an engineer. Then begins a process that is designed to make sure the integrity of your data is not compromised.

The notes you made about you disk are read and interpreted to help us understand whether the issue is logical or physical. If the issue is probably logical, your disk is immediately cloned to a hard drive we know is in perfect working order. This ensures that when we get to work trying to put your file system back in order, that we don’t aggravate any latent physical or hardware issues with the disk you sent in. Many recovery companies don’t bother doing this because it does take a long time and just adds another step to the recovery process. Anyone that you deal with should be able to promise you that this step will occur and that they know how to do it properly. Cloning is a must. The next time you power on the disk could be its last to work properly!

If the issue seems to be physical or hardware based (from reading your comments about the disk), we will do a disk inspection before spinning the drive up in an attempt to clone it. We will check the circuit boards, the power supply the internals (read/write heads, spindle, head actuator) and the platters – all in a clean room environment. One key thing we are looking for is a head crash. Not only will we check the surface of the platters for damage but will check the pillows (filters) under a microscope for any indication of magnetic coating on the filter. If we see any indication of a head crash – the process stops there and the disk is carefully put back together so we can advise you to go with an advanced recovery. We will never jeopardize your chances of recovery by trying to resolve a head crash here at DriveFish. That is not a job for us but rather our partner DriveSavers.  Read more here about why this is important.

If there is no indication of a head crash we will solve the electronics or motor problem(s) if present, put the disk back together and attempt to clone the drive. The point is we never will just sit there powering your drive up and down trying to get it to mount. It is very important to take powering a malfunctioning drive very seriously – and at DriveFish we do just that! This ensures that regardless of whether we collect a fee, you can count on us to ensure your best chance of recovery.

advanced recovery, Drivesavers, Hardware, head crash

It happens more often than you might think.  A poor soul send their disk to a “world class recovery specialist that has been in business over 300 years” and gets taken for all they can afford. It works like this: Promises are made to recover the data for a low price, the disk is delivered to the promise making party, the price is raised – many times based on the emotional state of the customer, the customer ends up paying a ridiculous amount for recovery.

Please don’t fall victim to this! Be sure you have a clear view of all prices and markups before doing business. Be sure you ask the right questions. We have seen “estimates” for single volume disks without massive hardware issues totaling over $9500. Luckilly, that customer opted out and sent the drive to us. If you want to be taken care of without the hassle, give us a call.

Hardware, price, recovery

When shipping a hard drive you should remember 3 things:

• Use a box! A box  is very important and will prevent further damage to your hard drive if there is any physical damage and even damage when there was none to begin with. Don’t use a padded envelope and please don’t just wrap it in brown paper and put stamps on it (even though we had a succesful recovery on that one -whew!).

• Use an air carrier like UPS or Fedex with a tracking number and insurance. We do not recommend the United StatesPostal Service (Post Office).

• Antistatic! The hard drive should be either placed in an antistatic bag or simply wrapped in paper. If you can find antistatic foam peanuts those are best but if you wrap the drive well bubble wrap will do. Don’t use regular foam peanuts – you’ve probably had them stick to your pants or dress before. Static = Bad!

If you follow these simple recommendations you will ensure  that your hard drive will arrive to us safe and secure!

Hard Drives, shipping

Not neccesarily. If your disk is clicking that generally indicates that you have a problem with the read/write heads attempting to scan the surface of the platter. If you hear a clicking, grinding or other odd noice from your disk we suggest you shut it down immediately and send it in. If it is in fact a head crash, you may need advanced recovery.

It could also just be a problem with the electronics, motor, actuator arm or any number of problems. You best bet is to pack it carefully and send to us so we can give you the best chance of recovery. Don’t give up hope – if we recover your data you pay a reasonable flat fee!

advanced recovery, clicking, head crash

A “head crash” is a term that describes what happens when the read/write heads of a hard drive touch the spinning platter causing damage to the magnetic coating that contains the data.

A hard drive is somewhat like a record player in that there are spinning platters (records) that are read by read/write heads on an actuator arm (the tone arm and needle). Instead of the r/w heads actually touching the platter though, it hovers just above it reading the data magnetically. Sometimes it’s a small bump or jarring of the disk, sometimes it’s a small piece of dirt or other particulate on the disk surface. Whatever the cause, if the read/write heads touch and chip or scratch the magnetic coating of the spinning platter(s), that is a head crash!

A head crash has to be handled carefully as once it happens and some coating has been scratched off the platter(s), the problem become worse very quickly. You have to catch it quick before all of your data is literally scratched off. A common disk speed is 7200 RPM – that’s almost 75  mph! A head crash occurring at that speed can be catastrophic.

Be smart. If you hear clicking, clunking, grinding or any other odd noises you could possibly have a head crash. We suggest you pack it up and send it to a company that you know will give you the best chance of recovery.

clicking, head crash, noise

A Live CD is a bootable operating system that resides on a compact disk or DVD and loads into RAM instead of from a hard drive. This can be very handy especially for data recovery when the disk you are having problems with was your operating system disk.

Generally most of our favorite Live CDs are flavors of Linux. This is great because with Linux you have an array of great free pieces of software that can be used to aid in your recovery. Try Knoppix or Ubuntu to get started! Simply download the .iso and burn the image to disk. Then drop it in your CD/DVD drive, set the machine to boot from CD and turn on the power! This frees your hard drives to allow complete access!

Data Recovery, Hard Drives, Linux

When we started looking for a partner for advanced recoveries (major hardware failures and head crashes), there were only 2 real companies to pick from. Kroll Ontrack and Drivesavers.  Any of the other companies that claim to do high level advanced recoveries are in the shadow of these 2 companies. Both are very capable. There are 3 main reasons why we chose Drivesavers and continue to do business with them.

Drivesavers main focus is data recovery:

Ontrack has a law forensics department as well as many others. While this is cool and interesting, Drivesavers on the other hand do data recovery and data recovery only. They have been in business since 1985 and have always been a leader in advanced recovery. We like the idea of a company built from the ground up with one focus – helping people recover data.

Drivesavers will waive the assessment fee for DriveFish customers:

Ontrack charges $100 to just look at the disk, even if they are unable to recover anything from it. This was very important to us and is a really good faith effort on Drivesavers part to do business with our clients. People come to us for assurance that they will get the job done for the most reasonable fee. Drivesavers helps us achieve that goal.

Drivesavers has amazing customer service:

Not that Kroll doesn’t have good service, but Drivesavers stands out heads above the rest. The are incredibly friendly, helpful and easy to work with. Thats the way we do business and we expect our partners to do the same.

We have been happy with the relationship for a long time now and know that our customers appreciate the partnership and the advantages it offers them.

Data Recovery, Drivesavers, fee