Computer Services, Repairs & Sales

Recovery Types

There are two main types of data recovery that are referred to; logical failure and mechanical failure.

Logical Failure

The hard drive or device (media card etc.) is in working order but some files or data cannot be accessed for 'logical' reasons such as accidental reformatting, a lost partition or virus infection

Recovering a Logical Failure

The disk or device is copied to retain all possible files and prevent further loss.  These files are transferred to a new system, recovered, and then re-mounted onto the original device unless a different media is requested such as DVD's.

Mechanical Failure

The hard drive is not functioning properly.  In most cases this is caused by motor failures and head crashes

Recovering a Mechanical Failure

The hard drive is assessed for the type of damage suffered.  The original hard drive is taken apart and new parts are replaced, or disks are removed and mounted in a new drive.  Files are then assessed for damage and recovered as much as possible.

What causes Hard Drive Failure?

Most commonly, the causes for hard drive failure result from:

• Virus infections
• Physical damage
• Power surges
• Natural Disasters (floods/fire etc.)
• Overwritten data
• Accidental partition erasure

The Process

1. STOP USING THE AFFECTED DRIVE / STORAGE MEDIA.
   1. This is important because new files or attempts to recover data incorrectly can often lead to recoverable files being overwritten and lost for good.
2. Call PC Input on 0333 600 3330 or contact us using our contact page and ask about data recovery.
3. Send us your hard drive or storage media, or if you are in our catchment area - we'll pick it up!
4. We'll examine your disk and provide you with a more accurate quote than our first contact quotation and you can decide if you want us to continue.
5. We recover your data or computer files, mount it on the agreed media and return it back to you.

PC Input are able to help with every step of this process.  If you are worried about removing your hard drive we can assist you.

Cost

PC Input do not operate a dual price index.  We charge the same great price for home users as we do for businesses however, data recovery and computer file recovery is often difficult to price as there are many factors that can affect the final price such as, how big the hard drive or storage media is, whether any failed attempts have already been made, whether the hard drive failure is a logical failure or a mechanical failure and whether there is a viral infection that is still potentially a threat.

Mechanical failures have to be priced individually as there are too many variables that can affect the final price (e.g. having to only replace a board, or having to remove and re-insert new discs)

Logical failures are more commonly found and have less variables so unlike our competitors, PC Input are happy to provide a rough guide price to logical data recovery.

None of the above prices include the cost of postage and packaging.  This will always be charged for separately and will depend on delivery priority and package weight.