What is data recovery?
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.

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What is the process?
Once we receive a damaged hard drive, we perform a diagnosis of it. This is when our highly skilled technicians can determine what the failure is, what the chances for a successful recovery are, what procedures are required to recover the data, and determine a firm quote. Each case is different and this is why this stage in the recovery process is crucial. Once a case is evaluated, we provide clients with the results and wait for them to approve the cost. Once we get their O.K. to proceed with the recovery, we start working on the case, doing whatever it required to get a read and retrieve the data. We will then provide the client with a list of all the recovered files in order to approve completion of work. Lastly, we will copy the data either onto DVDs or a new hard drive and ship it back to the client.

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Is there any evaluation fee?
No, we provide a free evaluation for all damaged media, including Raid Arrays.

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What does your No Data No Charge policy mean?
We believe in results; therefore, we will only charge a customer if we recovered his or her data. We do not charge any upfront fee and the initial diagnosis is free. Charging a client is the last step of the recovery process before shipping the data back.

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Will I get my hard drive back?
Yes. In cases where recovery is successful, there is no charge for getting your hard drive back. In cases when the recovery is unsuccessful, shipping and handling fee may be applied. In many cases the clients do not need the damaged hard drive back once they get their data recovered. However, we will always give it back upon request.

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How do you return the data?
We provide 2 free DVDs or 3 free CDs of recovered data. We charge $10 for each additional DVD and $5 for each additional CD. We can also return the data on a new hard drive. The cost for the drive is determined based on the capacity of the drive the customer asks for. Alternatively, clients can provide us with their own hard drive, at no extra cost.

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Is shipping included in the cost?
Yes, the total service fee includes shipping. As soon as the data is shipped we provide clients with a tracking number.

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Do you charge more for MAC hard drives?
No, we do not differentiate between PC and MAC hard drives. Our highly skilled data recovery technicians are well equipped to work with both operating systems.

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Do you offer any discount?
We offer 10% off for any of our data recovery services for full time students currently enrolled in university (proof of enrollment required), nonprofit organizations and charities, military personnel who are currently on active duty and a quantity discount. When a client sends in more than 1 storage media, he/she receives a 10% discount on each invoice (as long as both cases are recoverable).

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How long does the data recovery process take?
The length of the recovery varies, Each data recovery case is different. Some cases are more complicated than others and require more time. On average, the recovery is completed within 4-10 business days unless a client requests a priority or super rush service. Upon completing the free evaluation, we inform our clients of the estimated time the case can be recovered in.

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Can all data be recovered?
No, some cases are unrecoverable. There are times when the data is lost, either due to severe damage to the platter or unavailability of replacement parts. Digital media such as hard drives, memory cards, and flash cards are all doomed to fail eventually. If someone guarantees a successful recovery without examining the failure, he or she is being dishonest. However, in most cases, the data is recoverable. We have knowledgeable and well trained technicians who utilize specialized equipment and tools as well as powerful software to complete each recovery. We constantly invest in research and development (R&D) so that we can make use of the latest technology and innovations in the data recovery field.

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Can you recover laptop hard drives?
Yes, we recover data from both laptop (2.5'') and desktop hard disk drives (3.5'') at the same price levels.

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How should I pack my drive?
It is very important to pack your hard drive the best you can. You should place the hard drive in an antistatic bag and then wrap it with protective material. Place the unit in the center of a sturdy box with 5-6 inches of bubble wrap around all 6 sides. If shipping more than one hard drive, make sure you wrap each drive separately with at least 5" of bubble insulation. We recommend shipping hard drives via air service to minimize handling. (Xpresspost/UPS/DHL/FedEx next day or 2nd day air services are preferable).

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Can you recover data after a virus attack?
Yes, our highly skilled technicians can recover data from hard drives damaged by malicious code.

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Can you recover data from a formatted hard drive?
Yes, especially if no new data was stored on the drive after the drive was accidentally formatted.

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Can RAID Arrays be recovered?
Yes, Raid Arrays vary in their levels and configuration. Our highly skilled technicians have an incredible success rate with RAID recovery, regardless of the size, configuration, operating system or platform of your storage system.

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What hard disk drive manufacturers can you recover data from?
ReStoring Data Inc. can recover data from all media manufacturers: Seagate, Quantum, Maxtor, Western Digital, IBM, Fujitsu, Samsung, Toshiba, Hitachi and more.

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What operating systems can you recover from?
ReStoring Data Inc. can recover data from the following operating systems: Novell Netware, UNIX/LINUX, AIX, MAC, Windows 95/98/2000/XP/Vista, DOS, and OS/2.

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Which interfaces can you recover data from?
ReStoring Data Inc. can recover data from hard drives with the following interface:IDE/EIDE, Serial-ATA, SCSI, IEEE1394/Firewire, USB, PCMCIA, SAS and more.

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What type of failures can you recover data from?
Common failures we recover data from on daily basis are:

	Accidentally Formatted Drive
	Deleted Files and Partitions (even from Recycle bin)
	Lost/damaged/deleted Outlook PST files
	Virus Contamination
	BIOS detects drive as wrong size or model
	File Overwrites
	Blue Screen Of Death
	Smell of smoke when running power to your drive
	Drive won't spin at all
	Surface contamination and damage
	Fire and water damage
	RAID-0 or RAID-5 array died
	Deleted/corrupted digital camera photos
	Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Failure
	Software Corruption
	Strange clicking noises
	And many more.

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Do you charge by the amount of data recovered? In other words, is there a difference in the price if I only need specific files?
The charge is based on the complexity of the problem and the procedures required to access the hard drive rather than the amount of data needed. Once we access your hard drive, we will be happy to provide you with as much data as possible.

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Is my data kept confidential?
Absolutely! ReStoring Data Inc. and its employees commit to absolute non- disclosure of any and all information of data supplied with, stored on or recovered from clients' digital media.

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What are the types of hard drive failure?
There are two main types of hard drive failures; logical and physical.

Logical failure is normally a result of file-system corruption. Different reasons can cause this failure such as a virus, an accidental format or deletion of key files, firmware corruption, and in some cases even electro-static discharge. The drive does not boot but it is still recognized by the system BIOS. Generally, the data should still be intact on the drive, even though it may appear to be inaccessible.

In cases when the system BIOS does not recognize the hard drive, a physical failure has most likely occurred (e.g. damaged read/write head, malfunction spindle motor, damaged PCB, bearing problems, etc.). Many times you can hear different noises coming out of the drive (e.g., clicking, beeping, grinding, or ticking). If you notice any noise, it is very important that you stop using the hard drive immediately. An important element in recovering data from a physical failure is having the necessary parts to get the drive functioning again. The parts must come from an identical drive to the faulty one. In some cases when the drive is very old, finding a donor drive may be challenging.

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What if I get my data back and encounter some problems accessing the data?
ReStoring Data Inc. gives warranty on all returned media found to be dead on arrival (DOA) within 14 days of shipment. We keep all recovered data for 14 days to insure against DOA instances.

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When you recover data, do you repair the hard drive so that I can use it again?
No, we do not attempt to fix the drive but rather recover the data on the drive. Essentially, we have to repair the drive in order to get the data back but this is a temporary repair that is aimed at getting a read, sometimes a one-time read. Once a hard drive is damaged we don't recommend using it again (unless you constantly back up your data). It is just a matter of time until it fails again.

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Do you accept credit cards as a method of payment?
Yes, we accept both Visa and MasterCard.

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Do you recover data from previously opened drives?
Yes. ReStoring Data Inc. performs data recovery from drives which have already undergone a recovery attempt; the name of this special service is 2nd Attempt Data Recovery. This service allows for peace of mind as it is covered under the No Data, No Charge policy, ensuring that if the second attempt at recovery is not successful, you will not be asked to pay the service fee. The 2nd Attempt Data Recovery service requires that prospective clients pay a 50$ evaluation fee, because of the high risk associated with its provision. This fee, if recovery is successful, will be applied directly to the cost of service. The cost of the service is 50% on top of the regular price quote, to accommodate for the extra work associated with attempting data recovery a second time. ReStoring Data Inc. has a positive track record with recovering data from media deemed unrecoverable by other recovery service providers.

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How fast are the recovery times which are offered?
ReStoring Data Inc. performs data recovery at three speed levels. All three levels assure the highest quality data recovery techniques are used, and a full spectrum of methods is deployed to ensure a successful recovery. The three levels are: Economy, Priority, and Super Rush.
Economy service offers data recovery at an estimated 4-10 business days. Priority Service will attempt to recover client’s data in 2-4 business days at cost of 50% on top of the economy rate, and Super Rush service will utilize full ReStoring Data Inc. resources to attempt a data recovery in 1-2 days at a cost of 100% on top of our economy rate.

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What is the fastest time in which I can get my data recovered?
ReStoring Data Inc. now features a new Super Rush service. This service has been developed for clients who need their data recovered immediately. The estimated time of recovery is 1 – 2 days as our technicians will work outside of regular business hours, and into the weekend, to ensure that a thorough attempt at data recovery is performed. The cost of this service is 100% on top of a regular service quote, to reflect the full deployment of resources towards the Super Rush client’s case.

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Do you fix physically damaged flash-based media storage devices such as memory cards, USB thumb drives, hybrid hard drives and solid state drives?
Yes. ReStoring Data Inc. can now recover physically damaged flash based products as a result of extensive research and development (R&D). We are one of only a few data recovery companies offering this service, because it utilizes cutting edge technology.

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Should I put my Hard Drive in the freezer?
No. This is a common misconception, or rather a ‘data recovery myth.’ When your hard drive has failed you should immediately contact us and submit your case for a free evaluation. Our technicians have experience handling failed hard drives, and know the suitable ways to handle a broken drive preventing further damage. Putting the drive in a freezer may worsen the problem as water particles may get inside the hard drive’s chassis and damage sensitive internal components.

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Water has spilled onto my laptop, now a computer specialist said that my hard drive is broken, are you able to recover data from water-damaged hard drives?
Yes. Successful data recovery can be performed on water-damaged media. Counter-intuitively the damaged drive has a higher chance of recovery before it fully dries. The recovery success rate is largely dependent on how extensive the water damage was and how it damaged the different components of the drive. Our data recovery specialists will be happy to perform a free evaluation, offering a firm price quote for the cost of recovery that will not change.

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