Lost important files? Drive making clicking noises? Computer will not start? Stop using the device and call us first — continuing to use a failing drive can turn a recoverable situation into a lost one.
Data recovery is rarely a black-and-white job. Some situations recover easily, others are genuinely difficult, and we will always set realistic expectations rather than promising the impossible.
Those sounds usually mean a mechanical hard drive is failing. Power it down and bring it in. Continuing to power on a failing drive often makes the situation worse.
If the operating system will not start but the drive itself is still alive, we can often recover the files. Bring the whole computer in or just the drive, whichever is easier.
If the deletion was recent and the drive has not been heavily used since, recovery is often possible. The longer the drive runs after deletion, the more the deleted files can be overwritten.
Quick reformatting often does not destroy the data — just the index. We can frequently recover from this if you stop writing new data to the drive.
SSDs fail differently to mechanical drives. Recovery can be harder when an SSD has failed. We will give you a realistic view rather than false hope.
Both can usually be attempted. Stop using the device and bring it in — write activity after a failure can cause permanent loss.
We will never pretend everything is recoverable when it is not. We will tell you what we think the realistic chances are before any work begins.
If we cannot recover anything, you do not pay for the recovery attempt itself — only the diagnostic effort if applicable. We will explain charges clearly upfront.
Data recovery means handling personal files. We treat them with discretion — recovered, returned, and nothing else.
Sometimes, but only if it is stopped quickly. Continuing to run a clicking drive often makes the damage worse. The sooner you stop, the better the chances. We will give a realistic assessment.
It depends on the type of failure. Simple cases (accidental deletion, drive still alive but unbootable) are relatively inexpensive. Mechanical failures in a clean-room environment are much more involved. We will quote before any work begins.
For a drive that is alive but will not boot, sometimes that is fine. For any drive making unusual noises, absolutely not — running it more, including running recovery software, can make things worse.
Phone and tablet data recovery is a different field. We focus on PC, laptop and Mac storage. We can advise on whether your particular phone situation needs a specialist.
No reputable computer shop guarantees data recovery — anyone who does is overpromising. We give realistic odds based on the symptoms before any work begins.
If your drive is making unusual noises or your computer will not start, stop using it now and call us on 01580 764404. Acting quickly often makes the difference.