Frequently Asked Questions
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What is "Data Recovery"?
Data Recovery is the process of salvaging data from a damaged hard drive or other storage device. Sometimes 100% of the data can be recovered. In other cases, damage to the drive will reduce the quantity or quality of recoverable or useful data.
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How much does it cost?
Data Savers has two basic recovery labor charges, $349 or $649 depending upon the type of hard drive problem. The $649 price is for the repair of the electronic (logic) board or for fixing firmware or other structural drive problems prior to performing data recovery. If we are unable to recover your data, we will give you a diagnosis of the fault for a $49.00 evaluation fee.
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What kind of turn-around time can I expect?
The turn-around time depends upon several factors including: 1) the size of the drive; 2) the condition of the drive and the extent of damage; and 3) our workload at the time the drive is submitted. Some drives can be turned around in one day, whereas other drives may take from two to six days or more. We cannot predict the turn-aroud time until we have received and tested the drive. We will provide an estimate ASAP by e-mail.
We offer optional priority service and can retutn drives by next day air freight if needed. Contact us for details.
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How do I submit a drive for recovery?
Click on the "Submit a Drive" link to the left. After Data Savers receives your information, we will e-mail you a Services Agreement and a Return Authorization (RA) number, and instructions for packaging and returning the drive. Ship the drive and the completed agreement to us, and we will notify you when we receive it. Note that the Services Agreement must be submitted with the drive or faxed to us before work can proceed.
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Why do I need to complete a Services Agreement?
The Services Agreement outlines the work to be performed and the terms and conditions of our services. It is necessary that both parties understand and agree to the nature of the services that you are buying and we are selling.
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What can I do with the recovered data?
The answer to that question depends upon 1) the type of operating sytem (e.g. Windows® or Macinotsh®) and 2) the quality and quantity of successfully recovered data.
Windows® users should be able to tranfer and use documents, photographs, and other data to a working computer system. However, recovered programs generally will not launch because of the nature of the Windows® registry. Recovered e-mail will have to be imported into mail programs such as Microsoft® Outlook® and Outlook Express®.
Alternately, Macintosh® users should be able to make use of recovered programs and other data. Recovered e-mail will have to be imported into a functional e-mail program.
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What if you cannot recover my data?
We will diagnose the failure and return the drive to you. We also may refer you to one of our associates for other possible repair or recovery options. Our labor charge for the evaluation or diagnosis is $49.00 plus return freight costs.
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What about partial recovery?
Data recovery is often a salvage process, which involves scavenging for available data. For example, if a crashed head has physically damaged the media platters, no one can recover information from the damaged areas. Often, recovering 40% of a drive takes considerably more effort than recovering 100%, depending upon the nature of the failure. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the quality or quantity of data recovered, because good data may not exist on the drive.
Nonetheless, if we cannot recover anything of value we will simply charge our minimum evaluation fee of $49.00 plus return freight.
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How can I get more detailed information, or speak to someone?
You can click on the Contact Us link to the left, or call us at (770) 939-9363. Our offices are open from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.
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Does Data Savers, LLC have any special programs for dealers and service centers?
Data Savers, LLC has a referral partner program for qualifying dealers and service centers. Contact us for details.