faq-iconFrequently Asked Questions

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Data recovery is the process of retrieving data stored on damaged or inaccessible electronic storage media such as hard drives, memory cards, RAID Array systems, and USB thumb drives as well as many other devices.

Clients submit their defective device to us for recovery. Upon receipt we conduct a diagnosis process to determine the extent of the damage and what it will take to recover the data.

We then provide clients with a quote based and a turnaround time to complete the recovery. A small charge for the evaluation is required and is applied to the cost of the data recovery should the client proceed to recover the data. No work beyond evaluation will be performed without client approval. After clients approve the cost and agree to go forward with the recovery we start working on the device, performing all necessary actions to recover the data. Once recovery is completed, clients receive a list of all recovered files.

The client is only charged after confirming that their critical files have been recovered. Once the client approves completion of work and payment is received, we then transfer the data to a working hard drive, DVDs, or other storage media, and ship it back to the client.

Yes we do charge a nominal evaluation fee. Any evaluation fee is applied to the cost of recovering if the client proceeds to recover the data.

There is never a charge for clients if their data is not recovered. We only charge a customer if we successfully recover his or her critical data. With the exception of our $85 diagnostic and evaluation fee, which is applied toward the total cost of recovery if the client proceeds to recover the data.

Recovered data is transferred to DVDs or a new hard drive, depending on the size of the recovered data and client preference. The first two DVDs are complimentary, after which there is a $15 fee for each additional DVD. Data transferred to a new hard drive will have a fee based on the capacity of the replacement hard drive the customer requests. Some clients send in their own replacement drive.

No, the price quote for services includes the return shipping fee. We provide all clients with a tracking number for their package.

Every data loss case is unique and requires different procedures. The average data recovery turnaround time is 7-15 business days. However, clients can request a Priority or Rush service if they need their data faster. These services require an extra charge but they ensure our highest priority.

Yes, PCS Data Recovery can recover data lost in physical or logical hard drive failures on 2.5-inch laptop drives, and 3.5-inch desktop drives.

We have all the hardware and software necessary to handle every data loss situation. Sometimes, there can be extensive enough damage to a device that data is truly unrecoverable. This is often due to severe damage to the platters on which data is stored. No company can guarantee recovery until a diagnostic has been performed on the device. If a company claims otherwise the claim is misleading at best.

We do not charge different rates based on the operating system used. We are equally equipped and familiar with all operating systems.

It is very important to pack your hard drive the best you can. You should place the hard drive in an antistatic bag, if available, and wrap it with bubble wrap so that the sides are padded and away from all edges of the box. Try to center the hard drive as much as possible, and make sure it doesn’t move within the box. Multiple drives can be placed in one box, but they need to be wrapped individually. Make sure there is at least 5 inches of padding between all drives. We recommend shipping hard drives via air service to minimize handling.

Yes, we can recover files lost from virus infections.

Yes. Recovery of data is increased if no new data has been written to the disk after formatting than if the disk has already been overwritten with new data.

We are equipped and trained to handle any RAID Array configuration. Our RAID recovery success rates are kept very high by utilizing our proprietary hardware and software on any RAID size, configuration, operating system, or platform.

PCS Data Recovery can recover data from all media manufacturers:
Western Digital
Seagate
Quantum
Maxtor
IBM
Fujitsu
Samsung
Toshiba
Hitachi
and many more.

We are equally capable of recovering data from all of the following operating systems:

Windows 95/98/2000/XP/Vista/7/8
Novell Netware
UNIX/LINUX
AIX
MAC
DOS
OS/2.

We support the following interfaces for data recovery:

IDE/EIDE
Serial-ATA
SCSI
IEEE1394/Firewire
USB
PCMCIA
SAS
ZIF
and many more.

Common failures we recover data from on a daily basis are:

* Accidentally formatted drive
* Deleted files and partitions (even from Recycle bin)
* Damaged, corrupt, inaccessible, missing or lost files and/or partitions
* Lost/damaged/deleted Outlook PST files
* Data loss due to virus contamination
* BIOS doesn’t recognize hard drive
* Overwritten files
* Blue Screen of Death
* Burning smell coming from hard drive
* Hard drives that will not spin up at all or properly
* Plate surface damage or contamination
* Fire and/or water damage
* Failed RAID Arrays
* Deleted/corrupted digital camera photos
* Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Failure
* Loud clicking or other noises coming from drive
* And a host of other situations and scenarios.

Our prices are determined by the severity of the problem and the actions required to access the data stored on the defective media, rather than the amount of data needed.

Yes! – PCS Data Recovery and its employees commit to absolute non-disclosure of all information supplied with, stored on, or recovered from clients’ digital media. Client confidentiality is taken very seriously. Client data will not be compromised while in our care.

PCS Data Recovery gives warranty on all returned media found to be dead on arrival (DOA) within 14 days of shipment. We keep a back up of clients’ data for 15 days after shipment to insure against any data that is unusable or inaccessible.

Often your drive will not be returned due to being dis-assembled to obtain your data. If your drive is returned the simple answer is that a drive that has failed in the past will fail again, so it is better to stop using this drive.

Logical failure typically refers to corrupt or lost data on a disk with no physical problems. This can be caused by operating system failure, virus infection, unintentionally formatting of drive, accidental deletion of files, or (rarely) static damage.

If BIOS can still recognize the hard drive there is a good chance for recovery. Physical failure is when the device itself is damaged and needs repair or replaced components. Damaged Head Disk Assemblies, spindle motors, failed circuit boards, corrupted firmware, and damaged platters are a few examples of physical damage.

When a physical failure has occurred, typically the hard drive will make strange noises (e.g., clicking, beeping, grinding), or not be recognized by the BIOS. If there are any noises or sounds, or you suspect a physical failure, stop using the drive right away and contact a specialized data recovery company before a critical loss occurs.

We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, money orders, PayPal, money transfer and money order.

All data recovery must be paid in full before any data is released or shipped.

Yes. PCS Data Recovery performs second attempts from drives which have already been opened or undergone a recovery attempt. This service is complex, however, and carries an increased risk, so there is a $150 evaluation fee to determine the extent of the damage. This fee is applied directly to the cost of service if recovery is successful.

The cost of the service is 50% on top of the standard price quote, to accommodate for the extra work associated with attempting data recovery a second time. PCS Data Recovery has an excellent history recovering data declared unrecoverable by other companies.

We perform data recovery at three speed levels. All three levels assure the highest quality data recovery techniques are used, and the full spectrum of methods is deployed in order to ensure a successful recovery.

These three levels are: Economy (7-15 business days), Priority (5-7 business days), and Extreme Rush (1-2 days includes on site technician), extreme rush is very expensive, the onsite personal are on average $1000 per day.

Yes PCS Data Recovery is one of the few data recovery companies utilizing cutting-edge technology to recover data from physically damaged flash-based media storage devices such as memory cards, USB thumb drives, hybrid hard drives, and solid state drives. This ability is the result of our extensive R&D and years of expertise.

No. This common misconception is a data recovery myth. Putting the drive in a freezer may actually worsen the problem, as water particles can get inside the drive and damage sensitive components.

When your hard drive has failed you should immediately contact a specialized data recovery company to submit your case for evaluation. We have experience handling failed hard drives, and know the proper way to handle a broken drive to prevent further damage.

We can recover data from water-damaged media. Media that has not dried out actually has higher chance of recovery than water-damaged drive that is fully dry. That’s right—it’s better for water-damaged media to stay wet, rather than dry out! This is unknown to many users as it seems counter-intuitive. The recovery success rate is largely dependent on the extent of the water damage, and how the water damaged various components of the drive.

Return shipment is included with successfully recovered cases only. If recovery is declined or unsuccessful, shipping and handling charges for the return of failed media will be the responsibility of the client. If the drive was dis-assembled it may not be available for return. PCS Data Recovery is happy to recycle failed media on the behalf of clients, if they do not wish to pay for the return shipment of their failed devices.