WHY ARE WE SO INEXPENSIVE?
We are so inexpensive because we do not treat your precious data like a high price commodity. Most customers say “I have 5 years of my life inside this hard drive”, so what is 5 years of his or her life worth? $1000 or maybe $3000. Once they have your data it is their way or the highway. Unbelievably we do not run into many people willing to pay big money. Most would throw it away if it were over $500. Why not profit, without being greedy? Moreover, if we charged $1000 for data recovery we would have to fire half of the six employees we have.
HOW DOES THIS ALL WORK?
First, you fill out our online shipping form. This will generate a case number for you and that number and further packing instructions will be sent immediately to your email. You pack your hard drive up as if it was made of glass. You write the case number that was emailed to you with a marker on the box, then send it to us anyway you wish. Once it arrives, you will be sent an email notifying you that your hard drive has arrived safely. This is when the process begins. One of our technicians will determine the level of recovery necessary to recover your precious data. This process usually takes within 24 to 48 hours. If it is the level 2 we just go ahead and begin the data recovery then provide you with a list of the recovered data so that you can make sure everything you need is in our server. You can review this list online and pay for the recovery at the same time. If it is the level 3 data recovery, then you will be notified by email so that you can provide us with your approval for the level 3 attempt. There is a non-refundable $99 parts charge so that we can switch parts on your hard drive in an attempt to recover your precious data. 80% of the time, we are able to get the data from these invasive recoveries. If it is successful, you will be emailed a link to a list of your data so that you can verify it is complete and pay the remaining $399 with an easy pay link that will be included. If it is not recoverable, then you pay only the return shipping. Note that the parts charge is not refundable.
This just prevents us from actually loosing parts money if a recovery is un-successful.
CAN I GET MY HARD DRIVE BACK?
Yes. No matter what the outcome your hard drive is just a return shipping payment away.
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?
2 to 6 days is the average time needed for a full recovery. The first two days for level notification and the rest of the four days for the level 3 recoveries. Level two recoveries take about 2 to 3 days.
WHAT ARE MY CHANCES IF THE DRIVE IS CLICKING?
Hard drives will click if you give them a dirty look. It is not always the level 3 recovery. A burned diode or resister can make a good drive click. Note that platter damage can also make it click. Platter damage can be one of the worst things that can happen to a hard drive. We will let you know how bad it is, and you can decide. Flat Rate Prices will not allow you to spend more then $498 on a successful recovery.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEVEL 1 & LEVEL 2?
The level 2 recovery is non-invasive (partition and format damage. Deep erase situations) but it also includes outer electrical damage. About two out of three recoveries are the level 2 recovery.
The level 3 recovery is invasive. Clean room, dress like an astronaut, Read Write Heads, and Platters.
Simply “THE MAX”
WHAT IF MY DATA IS NOT RECOVERED?
If the data you are looking for is not in the list provided to you then all you pay is the return shipping
For your hard drive. If it was a Level 3 recovery then it is also just the return shipping. The parts
drive amount is not refundable.
HOW SHOULD I PACK MY HARD DRIVE?
When you send us your drive, pack it as though it is made of glass. Put some cellophane wrap around it if you can, and pack it inside a box. Do not use bubble bags unless the bubble bag is inside a box. Pack your box using the “Why put a box down, when you can throw it or kick it?” concept, and it should be ok.
SHOULD I SEND MY WHOLE COMPUTER?
We do not need the whole computer. Only the hard drive. If you feel unable to remove just the hard drive, just ship that computer down. We will remove it here for you for a small fee. External hard drives can just be sent complete. No extra charge for externals.
DRIVES THAT MAKE NO NOISE AT ALL?
A quiet drive is better then a noisy drive. Most of the time these problems are related to a burned logic board. About a third of the time it can reach the read write heads. About 1/3 are the level 2 and 1/3 are the level 3 recovery.
