David K.
Google
"Louis saved my business! My MacBook Pro with 5 years of critical client data crashed. Apple Store said data was unrecoverable and wanted $3,500 for a ..."
Hard Drive Data Recovery Services
Don't Panic. We recover data others can't.
Since 2008 | No Data, No Fee Guarantee | Nationwide Mail-In | $100–$2,000
Professional hard drive data recovery for clicking, beeping, and not detected drives. Our Austin lab processes HDD and SSD recoveries daily via local drop-off and nationwide mail-in. We extract files in-house with PC-3000 tools and validated clean-bench procedures. No data = no charge. Same equipment as enterprise labs at a fraction of the price.
NDA on Request
Confidentiality Guaranteed
Chain of Custody
Legal Documentation
ISO Class 100 Equivalent Bench
0.02µm Validated
100% Confidential
NDA Standard
Drives We Recover From
SeagateWestern DigitalSamsungToshibaCrucialSanDiskIntelKingstonHGST
Updated February 2026
15 min read
How Much Does Hard Drive Data Recovery Cost?
Hard drive data recovery costs $100–$2,000, depending on the failure type. Simple data copies from a functional drive cost $100. File system recovery for corrupted partitions, formatted drives, or volumes the operating system no longer recognizes starts at $250. Firmware repair, where the drive's internal software is corrupted and requires PC-3000 terminal access to rebuild translator tables, ROM data, and adaptive parameters, costs $600–$900. Mechanical failures that require a donor head swap on our laminar-flow clean bench, validated to filter particles down to 0.02 microns, run $1,200–$1,500 and require a 50% deposit because donor parts are consumed in the procedure. The most severe tier covers platter surface damage from head crashes and starts at $2,000. Every recovery begins with a free evaluation and a firm quote before any work begins. If we cannot recover your data, you pay nothing.
What is Hard Drive Data Recovery?
Hard drive data recovery is the process of retrieving inaccessible data from failed, corrupted, or damaged hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). Also called hard disk recovery or HDD data recovery, the goal is the same: get your files back from a drive that will not cooperate. Professional data retrieval services use specialized hardware such as the PC-3000 by ACE Lab and DeepSpar Disk Imager to recover data from hard drives when standard software solutions fail. According to Backblaze's 2024 Drive Stats report covering over 300,000 hard drives, the average annualized failure rate across all models is roughly 1.7%, meaning millions of drives fail each year and require professional recovery.
Recovery methods include:
- Logical repair: Recovering deleted files, corrupted partitions, and formatted drives using sector-level imaging and file carving techniques
- Firmware repair: Restoring access to drives not detected by the system; includes ROM extraction, translator module rebuilding, and adaptive parameter correction using PC-3000-class tools
- Mechanical repair: Clean bench head swaps and platter work for clicking or beeping drives with physical head damage, performed under laminar-flow filtration validated to 0.02 microns
Last updated: February 2026
What's Happening to Your Drive?
Select your symptom for a free diagnosis
Validated Equipment. Transparent Process.
The same tools used by top labs, documented on video so you can verify.
Purair VLF-48 Laminar Flow Bench
ULPA-filtered vertical laminar flow with 99.999% efficiency at 0.1-0.3 µm, achieving localized ISO Class 4 equivalent conditions at the work surface. Environmental integrity is continuously monitored down to 0.02 µm sensitivity using the TSI P-Trak 8525 Ultrafine Particle Counter.
PC-3000 Recovery Platform
Industry-standard hardware and firmware-level tools from ACE Lab. Covers head swaps, platter transfers, seized motors, and firmware-level extraction on failed drives.
Every Recovery on Camera
No stock photos of bunny suits. Watch us work on YouTube. 2.49M subscribers see exactly how recoveries are performed, start to finish.
At a Glance
- $Cost: From $100 for simple copies, $250–$2,000 for recovery (firm quote after free evaluation)
- ✓Equipment: PC-3000 Portable III + Class 100 clean bench for mechanical failures
- 🛡Guarantee: No data recovered = no charge (evaluation always free)
Estimate Your Recovery Cost
Select the symptoms your hard drive is showing to get an estimated cost range and recovery outlook. This is a starting point; we provide a firm quote after evaluating your drive for free.
No Hidden Fees — Transparent Flat-Rate Pricing
Select all symptoms that apply. This tool gives a rough estimate; your actual quote comes after our free evaluation.
Select symptoms above to see your estimated cost range and recovery likelihood.
2.49M SubscribersBBC FeaturedRight to Repair
A Message from Our Lead Engineer
A Personal Guarantee from Louis Rossmann
The data recovery industry is filled with “flat rate” scams and companies that prey on your panic. I started this business to be the antidote to that.
I have testified before Congress and State Legislatures fighting for your Right to Repair. I have built a YouTube channel with over 2.5 million subscribers by showing our work; honestly and transparently; for over a decade. I am not going to throw away that reputation to make a quick buck on your hard drive.
My promise is simple: If we cannot recover your data, you do not pay a cent.No “attempt fees,” no “clean room fees,” no surprises. You deal with engineers, not salespeople.
Louis Rossmann
What Our Customers Say
4.9 avg from 1837+ reviews
Rachel S.
Google
"Finally, a repair shop that provides honest electronics repair! They showed me exactly what was wrong with my iPhone using diagnostic tools, explained..."
Tom M.
Yelp
"Shipped my liquid-damaged MacBook from Seattle to Austin after watching Louis Rossmann's technical repair videos for years. Professional mail-in data ..."
15+ Years Experience
No Data = No Charge
In-House Austin Lab
Since 2008
Why Choose Our Austin Lab
We are not a middleman. We do not ship your drive to a mystery warehouse. Our certified techniciansrecover your data on-site in Austin using the same class of equipment as national labs: PC-3000, DeepSpar, laminar-flow clean benches, donor inventory, and microscopes. Learn about our Austin lab. You speak directly with the technician handling your case. No scripts. No sales team.
Local and Nationwide
All data recovery performed in our Austin lab. Mail-in accepted from all 50 states.
No Data, No Charge
If we cannot recover your data, you pay $0 (optional return shipping only).
Same Equipment, Lower Price
PC-3000 imaging, validated clean bench; without ad budgets or affiliate kickbacks.
Transparent Pricing
Clear ranges up-front; final quote after free evaluation; no surprise fees.
Direct Communication
Talk to your engineer, not a salesperson. Get straight answers.
Real Proof
2.49M+ YouTube subscribers and hundreds of hour-long recoveries on camera.
How We Compare to National Labs
All four companies listed below use PC-3000 hardware for firmware-level recovery. The difference between us and the national labs is overhead, not capability. Our pricing reflects engineering time and donor parts; theirs reflects advertising budgets, cleanroom real estate, and certification fees.
| Feature | Rossmann Group | DriveSavers | Ontrack | Geek Squad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Cost | $100–$2,000 | $2,000-$7,000 | $800-$3,000+ | $600-$2,500 (outsourced) |
| Work Location | In-house Austin lab | Novato, CA facility | Multiple global labs | Outsourced to partner labs |
| Equipment | PC-3000, DeepSpar, Class 100 bench | PC-3000, proprietary tools | PC-3000, proprietary tools | Varies by partner |
| No Data = No Charge | Yes, always | Diagnostic fee may apply | Yes | Varies |
| Direct Technician Contact | Yes, talk to your engineer | Through account manager | Through account manager | Store staff only |
| Free Evaluation | Yes | Yes | Yes | $50+ diagnostic fee |
| Proof of Work | 2.49M+ YouTube subscribers, hundreds of filmed recoveries | Client testimonials | 35+ year track record | Best Buy brand reputation |
Data compiled from publicly available pricing and service information as of January 2026. Read our full comparison guide.
Drive Repair vs. Data Recovery
Many clients ask: "Can you repair my hard drive so I can use it again?"
Here is the difference. When a hard drive fails mechanically (clicking, beeping, grinding), it cannot be permanently "repaired" to be trustworthy again. The damage to the platters or heads is physical.
Our process is Data Recovery. We perform temporary, surgical-grade repairs (like swapping read/write heads from a donor drive) just long enough to extract your data. Once the data is safe, the old drive is recycled, and your data is returned on a healthy, new drive.
We do not fix hard drives for reuse. We save the data inside them.
Hard Drive Data Recovery Standards & Verification
Our Austin lab operates on a transparency-first model. We use industry-standard recovery tools, including PC-3000 and DeepSpar, combined with strict environmental controls to make sure your hard drive is handled safely and properly. This approach allows us to serve clients nationwide with consistent technical standards.
Open-drive work is performed in a laminar-flow bench filtered to 0.02 µm, verified using TSI P-Trak instrumentation.
Transparent History
Serving clients nationwide via mail-in service since 2008.
Media Coverage
Our repair work has been covered by The Wall Street Journal and Business Insider, with CBC News reporting on our pricing transparency. Louis Rossmann has testified in Right to Repair hearings in multiple states and founded the Repair Preservation Group.
Aligned Incentives
Our "No Data, No Charge" policy means we assume the risk of the recovery attempt, not the client.
LR
Technical Oversight
Louis Rossmann
Louis Rossmann's well trained staff review our lab protocols to ensure technical accuracy and honest service. Since 2008, his focus has been on clear technical communication and accurate diagnostics rather than sales-driven explanations.
We believe in proving standards rather than just stating them. We use TSI P-Trak instrumentation to verify that clean-air benchmarks are met before any drive is opened.
See our clean bench validation data and particle test videoFailure Types We Handle
Physical and Mechanical Failures
Clicking hard drive →
Heads cannot follow servo tracks due to head damage or preamp failure. We stabilize firmware modules, select usable heads, and image conservatively. Brands: Seagate, Western Digital, Toshiba, HGST, etc.
Beeping drive →
Common on 2.5 inch Seagate/LaCie Seagate Rosewood models; heads stuck to platters; motor cannot start. Requires an unstick and often a donor head swap on a clean bench.
Drive not detected →
Shorted TVS diodes, damaged motor drivers, or corrupted adaptives prevent ID. We perform PCB repairs, transfer ROM/adaptives, and reestablish safe access for imaging.
Common symptoms: Drive spins down after seconds, shows wrong capacity (0GB), or shows as generic device name.
Head crash and platter damage →
When heads contact spinning platters, they scrape the magnetic coating. Grinding noise means active damage. Turn off immediately. We perform a platter swap in our clean bench, swap heads, and image around damaged zones.
Drive not spinning →
Seized motor bearings, stiction, or PCB failure. Different from clicking - the platters don't move at all. May require a motor swap or electronics repair. See a real case of a WD drive not powering on.
Logical and Mixed Failures
File system corruption →
When a hard drive becomes corrupted, the file system structure is damaged but your data is often still intact on the platters. Our engineers rebuild corrupted partition tables, repair damaged MBR/GPT, and recover files from corrupted NTFS, HFS+, APFS, and EXT4 volumes.
Common signs: "Drive needs to be formatted", RAW file system, inaccessible folders, blue screen on boot.
Deleted files and quick formats →
Accidentally deleted files or formatted the wrong drive? If SMART is clean and reads are fast, DIY tools work. If reads slow or drop, stop and let us image with pro hardware before it degrades.
Common errors: "CRC Error", "I/O Device Error", "You need to format the disk before you can use it".
Bad sectors / SMART errors →
If SMART reports reallocated or pending sectors, the drive is physically degrading. We fast-pass good regions, then revisit weak areas with head-maps and conservative retries (DeepSpar/PC-3000). Goal: maximum image with minimum stress on the heads.
RAID and NAS recovery →
We image each member first, reconstruct arrays offline, then recover from the images; never experiment on your only copy.
Enterprise or Corporate Client?
Need an NDA or chain of custody documentation? We handle enterprise data recovery with encrypted storage, access controls, and secure data purging after delivery.
Time-Critical Data Emergency?
Business operations halted? Legal deadline? We offer priority processing for urgent cases. Call for immediate guidance.
Important: Previously opened drives (home/retail attempts) reduce success rates. Dust, fingerprints, or misaligned head assemblies can turn a simple unstick into irreversible platter damage. If your data matters, do not open the HDA. Get it imaged on a validated clean bench.
Supported Models & Systems
We handle all major brands and form factors. View all recovery services.
Operating Systems
- • Windows (NTFS, FAT32, exFAT)
- • MacOS (APFS, HFS+)
- • Linux (EXT4, XFS, Btrfs, ZFS)
- • Server / VMware (VMFS)
Computers
- • Laptop hard drives (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS)
- • Apple MacBooks (Pro, Air)
- • Desktop PCs & Workstations
- • All-in-One PCs
External Drives
- • WD Passport / Elements
- • Seagate Backup Plus
- • LaCie Rugged
- • G-Technology / SanDisk Professional
Storage Types
- • 3.5" Desktop HDD
- • 2.5" Laptop HDD
- • NAS Units (Synology, QNAP)
- • USB Flash & SD Cards
Recovery Services By Symptom
The sound your drive makes tells us what has failed. If your hard disk is clicking, beeping, corrupted, or not detected, our engineers can help. Click the symptom that matches yours for detailed information.
Clicking or Ticking
Platters spin but heads cannot find data. Head failure or preamp damage.
Learn more →Beeping or Buzzing
Motor cannot spin. Heads stuck to platters (stiction) or seized spindle.
Learn more →Not Detected
Computer does not see the drive. PCB failure, firmware corruption, or weak heads.
Learn more →Hard Drive Corrupted
File system damaged. Shows as RAW, asks to format, or files inaccessible. Data is often still intact on the platters.
Learn more →Listen to Your Drive
The sound a failing hard drive makes reveals the failure type. Play each clip below and compare it to what your drive sounds like. If yours matches a mechanical failure (clicking, beeping, grinding), power it off immediately and contact us for a free evaluation.
Common Problems We Solve
Most data loss situations fall into a few common scenarios. Click your situation for specific guidance.
Dropped Hard Drive
External drive fell? Laptop dropped? Head damage is likely, but data is usually recoverable.
Get help →Water Damaged Drive
Flood, spill, or moisture damage? Don't dry it out. We explain what actually works.
Get help →Power Surge Damage
Lightning strike or power surge? PCB damage is fixable. Data is often 100% intact.
Get help →Making Strange Noises
Clicking, beeping, grinding? Each sound tells us exactly what's wrong. Stop using it.
Diagnose →Other situations: emergency recovery | SSD recovery | cost breakdown | how to choose a service | water damage recovery | fire damage recovery
Recovery by Manufacturer
Different manufacturers have different failure patterns. We track real reliability data from Backblaze's fleet of 300,000+ drives to understand model-specific issues and tailor our approach for each brand.
Seagate Recovery
1.52% AFRF3 terminal access, ROM extraction, and model-specific diagnostics. AFR ranges from 0.44% (ST16000NM001G) to 8.72% (ST12000NM0007). Rosewood slim drives and Barracuda models are our most frequent cases.
View Seagate reliability data →Western Digital Recovery
0.59% AFR0.59% AFR across the fleet. PC-3000 WD module handles ROM/module repair and Ultrastar enterprise drives. My Passport and Elements external drives are frequent mail-in cases.
View WD reliability data →Toshiba Recovery
Canvio external drives and MQ/MG internal series. Toshiba drives use a unique head parking mechanism that frequently fails after drops. PC-3000 Toshiba module for firmware and translator repair.
View Toshiba recovery details →Hitachi / HGST Recovery
Deskstar, Travelstar, and Ultrastar models. HGST drives (now WD-owned) are known for bearing failures in older Deskstar units. We extract data from all Hitachi generations using PC-3000 IBM/Hitachi modules.
Samsung Recovery
Samsung SpinPoint and legacy HDD models. Common issues include PCB failures and firmware module corruption. Samsung exited the HDD market in 2011 (sold to Seagate), but we still process these drives regularly.
Maxtor / LaCie Recovery
Maxtor drives (acquired by Seagate in 2006) and LaCie external enclosures remain common in older systems and backup arrays. Recovery from these units typically involves PCB swaps and ROM transfers.
AFR = Annualized Failure Rate from Backblaze Drive Stats 2024. Lower is better. Industry average is ~1.5%.
Find Your Drive Family
Recovery approach varies by drive family. Match the model number on your drive label to find specific failure modes and repair procedures.
Seagate Rosewood
ST1000LM035, ST2000LM007
2.5" · 500GB–2TBWD Spyglass / My Passport
WD40NMZW, WD50NMZW
2.5" · 3TB–5TBSeagate Barracuda
ST1000DM003, ST3000DM001
3.5" · 500GB–3TBWD Red / Red Plus
WD20EFRX, WD40EFRX
3.5" · 2TB–6TBToshiba DT01/DT02
DT01ACA100, DT02ABA400
3.5" · 500GB–6TBSeagate Barracuda 7200.11
ST3500320AS, ST31000340AS
3.5" · 500GB–1.5TBHelium-Sealed Drives
Specialized cleanroom recovery for sealed high-capacity drives like WD Ultrastar and Seagate Exos.
View all drive families → | WD Green recovery walkthrough (Part 1) and Part 2
Start Your Free Estimate
Professional Recovery
Our lab handles clicking, beeping, and "not detected" drives
Get a Free EstimateSecure Mail-In from Anywhere in the US
Transit Time
1 Business Day
FedEx Priority Overnight delivers to Austin by 10:30 AM the next business day from most US addresses.
Major Origins
- New York City 1 Business Day
- Los Angeles 1 Business Day
- Chicago 1 Business Day
- Seattle 1 Business Day
- Denver 1 Business Day
Security & Insurance
Fully Insured
Use FedEx Declared Value to cover hardware costs. We return your original drive and recovered data on new media.
Packaging Standards
- ✓Use the box-in-box method: float a small box inside a larger box with 2 inches of bubble wrap.
- ✓Wrap the bare drive in an anti-static bag to prevent electrical damage.
- ✗Do not use packing peanuts. They compress during transit and allow heavy drives to strike the edge of the box.
Our Recovery Process
Evaluate & Protect
Document symptoms, sounds, prior attempts, SMART data, and model/firmware. No CHKDSK or Disk Utility on failing media.
Stabilize Access
Correct translator/ID issues, transfer ROM/adaptives, and repair PCB to identify safely via PC-3000.
Clean-Bench Mechanics
For clicking, beeping, or stuck heads: exact-match donor head swap on a validated laminar-flow bench.
Image First, Always
Sector-by-sector imaging with write-blocking. Fast pass for healthy areas, controlled retries for weak regions.
Recover from Image
Rebuild file systems on the clone, carve where needed, and verify that priority files open correctly.
Deliver & Purge
Copy to your new drive, spot-check with you, and securely purge all working copies on request.
How Long Does Data Recovery Take?
Typical timing: Healthy 1 TB images in a few hours; light bad sectors add days; "not detected"/firmware about a week; head swaps with donor parts 1-3 weeks. Severe platter damage may be unrecoverable; we will tell you when to save your money.
Hard Drive Data Recovery Pricing
Hard drive data recovery costs $100–$2,000, depending on the failure type. Simple copies start at $100. File system recovery starts at $250. Firmware repair is $600–$900. Head swaps are $1,200–$1,500. Surface damage is $2,000. We provide a firm quote after a free evaluation.
Honest ranges so you can budget without a sales call. See our detailed pricing breakdown. After a free evaluation we give you a firm quote and honest assessment. If it turns out easier than expected, you pay less; not a flat "worst-case" tier. If we cannot get your data, you pay $0 (optional return shipping only). See all service pricing.
| Service Tier | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Simple CopyLow complexity | $100 | Your drive works, you just need the data moved off it Functional drive — data transfer to new media Rush available: +$100 |
| File System RecoveryLow complexity | From $250 | Your drive isn't recognized by your computer, but it's not making unusual sounds File system corruption — accessible with professional recovery software but not by the OS Starting price; final depends on complexity |
| Firmware RepairMedium complexity – PC-3000 required | $600–$900 | Your drive is completely inaccessible — it may be detected but shows the wrong size or won't respond Firmware corruption — ROM, modules, or translator tables corrupted; requires PC-3000 terminal access Standard drives at lower end; high-density drives at higher end |
| Head SwapHigh complexity – clean bench surgery50% deposit | $1,200–$1,500 | Your drive is clicking, beeping, or won't spin — the internal read/write heads have failed Head stack assembly failure — transplanting heads from a matching donor drive on a clean bench 50% deposit required — donor parts are consumed in the repair |
| Surface / Platter DamageHigh complexity – clean bench surgery50% deposit | $2,000 | Your drive was dropped, has visible damage, or a head crash scraped the platters Platter scoring or contamination — requires platter cleaning and head swap 50% deposit required — donor parts are consumed in the repair. Most difficult recovery type. |
Hardware Repair vs. Software Locks
Our "no data, no fee" policy applies to hardware recovery. We do not bill for unsuccessful physical repairs. If we replace a hard drive read/write head assembly or repair a liquid-damaged logic board to a bootable state, the hardware repair is complete and standard rates apply. If data remains inaccessible due to user-configured software locks, a forgotten passcode, or a remote wipe command, the physical repair is still billable. We cannot bypass user encryption or activation locks.
All tiers: Free evaluation and firm quote before any paid work. No data, no fee on simple copy, file system, and firmware tiers. Head swap and surface damage require a 50% deposit because donor parts are consumed in the attempt.
Target drive: The destination drive we copy recovered data onto. You can supply your own or we provide one at cost. For high-capacity drives (8TB and above), the target drive costs approximately $400+ due to the large media required. All prices are plus applicable tax.
Pricing Comparison
| Scenario | Rossmann | DriveSavers / Big Labs |
|---|---|---|
| "Not detected" firmware issue | $600-$900 | $1,000-$2,500 |
| Head swap (exact donor, clean bench) | $1,200-$1,500 | $2,000-$7,000+ |
| Logical recovery (fast reads) | $100-$500 | $500-$1,500 |
| Evaluation fee | None | Free eval, but fees common elsewhere |
| Marketing Overhead | $0 (Word of Mouth) | Thousands [Read Analysis] |
Why the difference? We do not bankroll PPC ads, affiliate kickbacks, or vanity certificates. Your invoice reflects engineering time, donor parts, and imaging hours; not marketing overhead. Read our analysis of DriveSavers pricing.
Clean Rooms vs. Clean Benches
Competitors advertise multi-million-dollar “ISO Class 5 certified clean rooms” populated by technicians in full spacesuits. Clean room classifications are defined by ISO 14644-1, which specifies maximum allowable airborne particle concentrations. For data recovery, that level of whole-room infrastructure is marketing theater, not a technical requirement. What actually protects your platters is a validated laminar-flow clean bench with proper ULPA particle filtration and an image-first workflow.
Clean Room Standards vs Our Clean Bench
| Standard | Max Particles ≥0.5µm per ft³ | Filtration Level | Required For HDD Work? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO Class 5 (Class 100) | 100 particles | 0.3µm HEPA | Industry marketing standard |
| ISO Class 4 (Class 10) | 10 particles | 0.1µm ULPA | Semiconductor manufacturing |
| Our Laminar Bench | Near-zero particles (validated) | 0.02µm filtration | ✓ Localized ISO Class 5 equivalent |
Our laminar-flow clean bench filters down to 0.02 microns. That is 15× finer than the 0.3µm HEPA filters used in ISO Class 5 clean rooms. We validate our bench with a particle counter before every open-drive procedure and publish the results. The reading: localized ISO Class 4 equivalent conditions.
A full clean room is designed for semiconductor wafer fabrication where you need an entire facility held at Class 100 or better continuously. You only need clean air in the immediate work zone during the brief window when platters are exposed. A validated laminar bench provides that. The spacesuits and airlocks are theatrical overhead built into your invoice.
Watch us validate our clean bench environment before a head swap procedure.
Bottom line: We use the same imaging equipment (PC-3000, DeepSpar) and the same donor-matching procedures as the labs charging $3,000+. Our clean bench achieves localized conditions that exceed ISO Class 5 particle standards. The difference in price is marketing overhead and real estate, not capability. We show our validation on video; ask competitors to show theirs.
Why You Don't Need a $1M Cleanroom
Competitors charge $3,000+ and justify it with photos of technicians in full cleanroom suits. In this video, Louis demonstrates our laminar flow bench particle test side-by-side with a competitor's marketed cleanroom. The bench validates to localized ISO Class 4 equivalent conditions at 0.02 microns. The cleanroom is designed for semiconductor fabs, not 30-minute head swaps. The difference in your invoice is real estate and marketing, not science.
Full article: Do You Really Need a Clean Room for Hard Drive Data Recovery?
Real Recovery Cases
Recovery outcomes depend on the condition of the drive when it arrives. If you stopped using it immediately, success rates remain high. If someone ran software on it, tried to open it, or kept powering it on, odds drop. Watch our documented recovery cases and judge for yourself.
Seagate ST2000LM007
Beeping after drop
Heads parked on platters. Unstick in clean bench, PC-3000 image with head map. 847GB Lightroom catalog recovered.
$400
Watch similar case →WD Blue 1TB
Clicking on startup
Firmware translator corrupt. Rebuilt with PC-3000, selective head imaging. QuickBooks DB verified, zero corruption.
$350
Watch process →LaCie Mobile 4TB
Not detected after surge
PCB damage. ROM/adaptives transfer to donor board. Full image, 3.2TB video files delivered.
$500
Watch similar case →Recovered After Failed Attempt
Seagate Barracuda 2TB
Returned "unrecoverable" by another lab
Previous shop opened the drive in an uncontrolled environment and contaminated the platters. We cleaned the platters, swapped heads from an exact-match donor, and recovered 1.8TB of family photos spanning 15 years.
$1,200
Watch difficult case →WD Ultrastar 8TB
Head swap recovery
Failed read/write heads on a WD enterprise drive. Donor heads sourced from matching firmware revision, swapped in clean bench, full 8TB image completed.
$1,200
Watch head swap case →Seagate Barracuda 1TB
Green light, no detection
Drive powers on with green LED but not recognized by any system. Firmware module corruption diagnosed via PC-3000 terminal. Modules rebuilt, full image extracted.
$600
Watch this case →Evidence Locker
Verified recovery cases from our lab. Filter by device type or failure mode.
Case files are being compiled. Check back soon.
Watch Our Engineers Work
We believe in total transparency. That is why we film our work. Watch Louis Rossmann and the team perform real data recovery procedures, from head swaps to chip-off, so you know exactly what happens to your drive.
Got an SSD instead? NVMe, M.2, SATA; different tech, same lab. We do controller repair, firmware fixes, and chip-off when needed.
Can You Recover the Data Yourself?
Sometimes. Run through this quick safety checklist before spending money on professional recovery.
Safe to Try at Home
- ✓Try a different cable or port. USB cables fail more often than drives. Test with a known-good SATA or USB cable before assuming the drive is dead.
- ✓Check Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac). If the drive appears but has no letter, it often just needs a drive letter assigned, not recovery.
- ✓Use ddrescue to clone a readable drive. If the drive spins normally and reads (even slowly), you can safely image it with our free ddrescue guide before attempting file recovery.
Do NOT Do This
- ✗Do not open the hard drive. Exposing platters to unfiltered air introduces particles that cause permanent scratches. This is the #1 way people destroy their own data.
- ✗Do not put it in the freezer. The freezer trick is a myth that causes condensation damage and corrodes electronics.
- ✗Do not run CHKDSK or Disk Utility on a clicking/beeping drive. These tools attempt writes that can destroy weakened heads and turn a $400 recovery into a $1,500+ job or total loss.
- ✗Do not keep power-cycling a failing drive. Each spin-up attempt on a mechanically damaged drive worsens the damage. If it clicks, beeps, or grinds, power it off immediately.
When to Call a Professional
If your drive makes any abnormal sounds (clicking, beeping, grinding), is not detected by your computer, or was physically damaged (dropped, water, surge), stop using it and contact us for a free evaluation. Professional recovery is necessary when the hardware itself has failed; no software can fix a broken read/write head.
Want more detail? Read our full guides: How to Recover Data From a Hard Drive | Free DIY Recovery Guide | Software vs. Professional Service
Common Questions; Real Answers
What's your data recovery success rate?
We recover data from drives others can't. Our rates vary by failure type: logical failures have very high recovery rates, firmware faults and single-head replacements are also highly successful, while multi-platter or severe damage cases are more challenging. We publish raw, anonymized outcomes so you can see the reality by device type and failure mode.
How expensive is data recovery?
Hard drive data recovery typically costs $100 to $2,000, depending on the failure type. Simple copies cost $100. File system recovery starts from $250. Firmware repairs (drive not detected, ROM corruption) cost $600 to $900. Head swaps for clicking or beeping drives run $1,200 to $1,500. Surface/platter damage starts at $2,000. By comparison, corporate labs like DriveSavers typically charge $2,000 to $7,000 for similar work. Price is driven by three factors: the device (HDD vs SSD), the problem (logical vs mechanical), and the company's overhead (in-house lab vs outsourced middlemen with ad budgets). We do all work on-site in Austin using PC-3000 tools (manufactured by ACE Lab) and do not buy ads, which keeps our pricing at $100 to $2,000 across 5 published tiers.
How long does it take to recover a 1 TB HDD?
On a healthy 1 TB HDD, a full image reads in about 3-4 hours; with verification and copy-out, most standard jobs finish in 1-2 business days. Light bad sectors can add a few days. 'Not detected' or firmware issues often take around a week. Head swaps that require donor parts run 1-3 weeks. Severe platter damage can take weeks and may be unrecoverable.
Do you have HIPAA or SOC 2 certification?
No. SOC 2 audits cost $50,000+/year and get passed to customers as $3,000+ invoices. We invest in capability instead: PC-3000 tools, clean bench validation to 0.02 microns, encrypted storage, and chain-of-custody documentation. We sign NDAs on request. Your device never leaves our Austin lab; access is limited to your assigned technician; we securely purge working copies after delivery.
Can you recover data from water damaged hard drives?
Often, yes. If you DON'T power it on wet, DON'T bake it with heat, and get it to us quickly, success can be 70-80%. Salt water is worse than fresh; fire cases usually include corrosive residue from suppression. Once in-lab, we address PCB corrosion/shorts, transfer ROM/adaptives, and image with controlled timeouts.
What's the difference between logical and physical failure?
Logical failure: the hardware works but the file system doesn't; deleted files, bad partition table, light bad sectors. Physical failure: the hardware is damaged; stuck heads, seized spindle, shorted PCB, platter scratches. Logical jobs are cheaper ($100-$500) with near-certain odds; physical jobs need clean-bench/donor parts ($1,200-$2,000) and success depends on damage severity.
What is hard drive recovery process?
Professional hard drive data recovery follows an image-first workflow using industry-standard tools like the PC-3000 Portable III (manufactured by ACE Lab) and DeepSpar Disk Imager. The six steps: (1) Evaluate symptoms safely and protect the media; never run CHKDSK or Disk Utility on a failing disk. (2) If the drive is not detected, correct firmware or translator issues; this involves ROM extraction, service area module repair, and adaptive parameter correction. (3) Acquire a sector-level image with write-blocking and controlled retries using DeepSpar or ddrescue. (4) If heads are stuck or weak, unstick or replace them on a laminar-flow clean bench using exact-match donor parts, then resume imaging. (5) Rebuild the file system from the clone image and extract files; this works across NTFS, HFS+, APFS, ext4, XFS, and ZFS. (6) Verify file integrity and deliver the data on a new device. Typical turnaround is 5 to 10 business days for standard cases.
Can HDD be repaired?
Yes; often enough to recover your data, but a repaired hard drive shouldn't be reused. In professional hard drive data recovery we stabilize the drive with PC-3000-class tools, correct firmware/PCB issues or replace stuck/bad heads on a clean bench using an exact-match donor, then acquire a write-blocked sector-by-sector image. Files are recovered from the image, verified, and delivered on a new drive; the old failing HDD is retired.
Does removing hard drive remove all data?
No. Removing a drive from a computer does not erase it. Data remains on the platters (HDD) or NAND (SSD) until it is securely overwritten or cryptographically erased. If you need a wipe, request a verified secure-erase with certificate.
Can Geek Squad recover your data?
Geek Squad offers data recovery, but most complex hard drive data recovery (head swaps/clean-bench cases) is outsourced to partner labs rather than done in-store, which can add time, cost, and a middleman. We perform all recovery in-house in Austin with clean-bench procedures, PC-3000 imaging, direct technician communication, and transparent pricing.
Why is my Seagate hard drive beeping?
On most Seagate 2.5-inch external drives (including Rosewood), a repeating beep usually means the spindle can't start because the read/write heads are stuck on the platters. That's a mechanical fault, not a cable or power issue. Power-cycling, tapping the drive, opening the HDA, or running repair utilities can scratch platters and turn a $1,200-$1,500 head swap into a $2,000+ surface-damage case. If the data matters, stop powering it.
Why is my LaCie hard drive beeping?
Most LaCie external drives contain a Seagate HDD inside. A repeating beep usually means the motor can't start because the read/write heads are stuck on the platters (common after a drop on 2.5″ models). Don't power-cycle, tap, or open the drive; those moves turn a $1,200-$1,500 head swap into a $2,000+ surface-damage case.
How do I recover data from a crashed hard drive for free?
If the drive still spins and is detected, you can try the free SystemRescue + ddrescue method: clone the failing drive to an equal-or-larger target, then recover from the clone. Do a fast pass to grab good sectors, then a retry pass for bad areas. Do not run CHKDSK/Disk Utility repairs on the original. If it clicks/beeps or isn't detected, stop; those typically need a lab.
Does data recovery void my hard drive warranty?
No. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302, full text at law.cornell.edu), a manufacturer cannot void your warranty simply because you used an independent service provider. The burden of proof is on the manufacturer; they must demonstrate that the independent repair caused the specific defect they are refusing to cover. The FTC has reinforced this interpretation in its 2018 warranty guidance. In practice, most drives that need data recovery are already out of warranty or have failed beyond any warranty coverage. We do not modify firmware in ways that would affect warranty claims on working drives.
How long does hard drive data recovery take?
Standard service: 5-10 business days from when we receive your drive. Priority service: 24-72 hours for qualifying cases. Actual recovery time depends on the failure type. Logical issues (deleted files, corruption) finish in 1-3 days. Firmware repairs take 3-7 days. Head swaps require sourcing a donor drive and can take 1-3 weeks. We provide status updates throughout.
When should I use recovery software vs a professional lab?
Use software if: the drive spins up normally, appears in Disk Management/Disk Utility, and has no clicking or grinding sounds. Try ddrescue or R-Studio on a clone. Use a lab if: the drive clicks, beeps, grinds, isn't detected, or shows S.M.A.R.T. errors. Running software on a physically failing drive can destroy the heads and turn a $600 firmware job into a $1,500 head swap or total loss.
How does Rossmann compare to DriveSavers?
DriveSavers has 40+ years of experience and SOC 2 certification; their services typically cost $2,000-$7,000. Since 2008, we've used the same PC-3000 equipment to achieve comparable results for $100-$2,000 across 5 published tiers. We keep pricing lower by performing all work in-house at our Austin lab and not buying ads.
Can you recover data if I already tried DIY recovery software?
Usually yes. Software like Recuva or Disk Drill is safe for logical failures (deleted files, corruption) and won't damage the drive. If your drive clicks, beeps, or grinds, software can't help and repeated attempts may worsen the damage. We recover data after failed DIY attempts daily. Send it in.
What if my drive was already opened by another shop?
We recover drives other shops gave up on. Opening a drive outside a clean environment introduces contamination, which makes recovery harder but not always impossible. We handle previously opened drives daily and will give you an honest assessment. Send it for a free evaluation.
Can you recover data from a formatted hard drive?
Yes, in most cases. A 'quick format' only erases the file system index; your actual data remains on the platters until overwritten by new files. We clone the drive first with PC-3000/DeepSpar, then carve files from the raw image. Success depends on how much new data was written after formatting. If you accidentally formatted a drive, stop using it immediately and contact us. Full (overwrite) formats are harder but partial recovery is often still possible depending on how far the process got.
Can you recover data from a dead hard drive?
Yes. A 'dead' hard drive usually means one of three things: not powering on (PCB failure), not spinning (seized motor or stuck heads), or not detected (firmware corruption). All three are recoverable. PCB failures need ROM chip transplant to a donor board. Stuck heads need clean bench unstick or head swap. Firmware corruption needs PC-3000 module repair. The platters holding your data are rarely damaged; the access mechanism is. Stop powering it and ship it for evaluation.
Can you recover data from a clicking hard drive?
Yes; clicking drives are one of the most common data recovery cases. The clicking sound (sometimes called 'click of death') occurs when the read/write heads cannot locate their servo tracks on the platter surface. Servo tracks are pre-written positioning data embedded in each platter during manufacturing; they guide the heads to the correct cylinder. When the head assembly or preamplifier is damaged, the heads repeatedly seek and fail to lock onto the servo pattern, producing the rhythmic clicking. Common causes include physical shock (dropped drives), age-related head degradation, and preamplifier failure. We stabilize access using PC-3000, create a head map to disable failing heads while imaging from healthy heads, and use controlled retry parameters to recover sectors in weak zones. In severe cases, we perform an exact-match donor head swap on our laminar-flow clean bench validated to 0.02 microns. Recovery success depends on whether the damaged heads caused platter scoring before the drive was powered off. The sooner you stop powering a clicking drive, the better the recovery odds.
Can you recover data from an external hard drive?
Yes. External hard drives (WD Passport, Seagate Backup Plus, LaCie Rugged, G-Technology) contain regular HDDs or SSDs inside a USB enclosure. We remove the drive from the enclosure and connect directly via SATA, bypassing potential USB controller issues. The recovery process is identical to internal drives: logical, firmware, or mechanical repair depending on the failure. Common external drive failures include dropped drives (head damage), beeping 2.5-inch Seagates (stuck heads), and PCB damage from power surges.
Is hard drive data recovery worth the cost?
It depends on the value of your data versus the recovery cost. For businesses, lost client records, financial data, or intellectual property often justifies $600-$2,000 in recovery fees. For individuals, irreplaceable family photos, years of creative work, or graduate research are typically worth the investment. Our no-data-no-charge policy removes financial risk; you only pay if we successfully recover your files. We provide a free evaluation and will honestly tell you if recovery is unlikely to succeed, saving you from spending money on a lost cause.
What causes hard drive failure?
Hard drives fail from four main causes: (1) Mechanical wear; head crashes, bearing seizure, and motor failure increase with age and physical shock. (2) Electronic damage; power surges, PCB shorts, and controller failure from unstable power supply. (3) Firmware corruption; ROM errors, translator bugs, and service area module damage that prevent the drive from identifying correctly. (4) Logical errors; file system corruption, accidental deletion, and partition table damage from software issues or improper shutdowns. According to Backblaze's 2024 Drive Stats report covering 300,000+ drives, the average annualized failure rate is roughly 1.7%, with individual models ranging from 0.44% (Seagate ST16000NM001G) to over 8% for certain older Seagate enterprise models. External factors like overheating, moisture, and sudden physical impacts accelerate all types of failure.
What should I do if my hard drive is not detected?
First, try a different cable and USB/SATA port; cables fail more often than drives. Check Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac) to see if the drive appears without a drive letter. If the drive spins but isn't detected, it's likely a firmware or PCB issue recoverable with PC-3000 tools. If the drive doesn't spin at all, it could be a seized motor, stuck heads, or dead PCB. Do not run CHKDSK or repair utilities on an undetected drive. If basic troubleshooting doesn't help, power it off and contact us for a free evaluation. 'Not detected' drives are one of our most common and successful recovery types.
Can you recover data from a Seagate Barracuda hard drive?
Yes. Seagate Barracuda drives are one of our most common recoveries. The 7200 RPM desktop models (ST1000DM010, ST2000DM008, ST4000DM004) frequently develop firmware issues, head failures, and bad sector growth. We handle all Barracuda failure modes with PC-3000: firmware module repair for drives not detected, head swaps for clicking drives, and sector-level imaging for degraded media. Barracuda Pro and Compute variants use similar families and respond to the same recovery techniques.
How do you recover data from a Western Digital My Passport?
WD My Passport drives are 2.5-inch portable drives that commonly fail from drops and cable yanks. Recent models use hardware encryption on the USB bridge board. If the bridge fails, the drive data is encrypted and unreadable even over SATA. We desolder the encryption chip and pair it with a working PCB, or use PC-3000 Portable to work through the bridge directly. Older My Passport models without encryption are more straightforward: we remove the drive from the enclosure and image via SATA. Common failures include stuck heads from drops and PCB shorts from cheap USB cables.
What's different about Toshiba hard drive recovery?
Toshiba (now Kioxia for enterprise) drives have unique firmware architecture that requires Toshiba-specific modules in PC-3000. The MQ/MG series laptop drives are common in older laptops and frequently fail from head parking failures after years of use. Canvio external drives contain standard Toshiba 2.5-inch mechanisms. We maintain Toshiba donor stock and PC-3000 Toshiba modules for firmware repair. Recovery success rates are comparable to Seagate and WD; the main challenge is donor availability for less common models.
Can you recover data from a Hitachi or HGST Deskstar?
Yes. Hitachi/HGST drives (now owned by Western Digital) are generally well-built but fail from bearing wear and head degradation over time. The Deskstar 7K series (desktop) and Travelstar (laptop) lines have known firmware issues on certain revisions. HGST Ultrastar enterprise drives are very reliable but when they fail, recovery requires specialized SA-level firmware work. We stock Hitachi/HGST donors and handle their unique firmware structure with PC-3000.
How do you handle Samsung hard drive recovery?
Samsung exited the HDD market in 2011 (Seagate bought the division), but Samsung SpinPoint drives are still common in older systems. The HD103SJ and HD154UI series had known firmware bugs that could cause sudden non-detection. We repair Samsung firmware with PC-3000's Samsung module and stock compatible donors for head swaps. If your Samsung drive clicks or isn't detected, it's likely a firmware or head issue; both are recoverable in most cases.
What about Maxtor hard drive data recovery?
Maxtor was acquired by Seagate in 2006, but Maxtor drives still still show up, often in old NAS units or desktop PCs from the mid-2000s. The DiamondMax and MaxLine series are the most common. These drives are aging and frequently have bearing failure and platter degradation. We maintain a small Maxtor donor inventory for head swaps. Recovery success depends on how badly the platters have degraded; drives that have been sitting unpowered for years often still have intact data.
How do you recover data from a WD Elements drive?
WD Elements are budget external drives with standard WD 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch mechanisms inside. Unlike My Passport drives, most Elements models do NOT use hardware encryption on the USB bridge, which makes recovery more straightforward. We remove the drive from the enclosure and connect via SATA for direct imaging. Common failures: dropped drives with stuck/damaged heads, USB port damage, and age-related bad sector growth. If your Elements drive clicks after a drop, stop powering it. The heads are likely damaged and need a clean bench swap.
Can you recover LaCie external hard drive data?
Yes. LaCie externals (Rugged, d2, Mobile Drive) contain Seagate mechanisms since Seagate acquired LaCie in 2012. The LaCie Rugged series is popular with creative professionals and frequently comes in after drops despite the rubber bumper. We treat these as Seagate recoveries: remove from enclosure, diagnose via SATA, and apply standard Seagate recovery procedures. LaCie Rugged RAID models require RAID reconstruction after individual drive recovery.
My hard drive was dropped: can data be recovered?
In most cases, yes. Dropped drives typically suffer from stuck or damaged read/write heads. If the drive was running when dropped, the heads may have scored the platters, which reduces recovery chances. If it was off, the heads likely just stuck to the platter surface or the parking ramp broke; both are recoverable with a clean bench head swap. The critical factor: do NOT power the drive on after a drop if it makes unusual sounds. Every power cycle with damaged heads risks platter scoring. Ship it to us unpowered for a free evaluation.
Can data be recovered from a hard drive after a power surge?
Usually yes. Power surges typically damage the PCB (printed circuit board) and sometimes the preamplifier inside the head assembly. The platters and data remain intact. Recovery involves transplanting the ROM chip (containing drive-specific calibration data) from the damaged PCB to a matching donor PCB, or using PC-3000 to read and rewrite the ROM adaptives. If the surge also damaged the heads or preamplifier, a head swap may be needed. Surge-damaged drives are among our highest-success recoveries because the data itself is rarely affected.
How do you recover data from a hard drive that won't spin?
A drive that won't spin has either a seized spindle motor, stuck heads preventing rotation, or a dead PCB. We diagnose by listening and testing electrically. Stuck heads: we unstick or replace them on a clean bench ($1,200-$1,500). Seized motor: we can sometimes free it or transplant the platters to a donor chassis ($2,000). Dead PCB: we transplant the ROM chip to a compatible donor board ($250-$900). The platters hold your data regardless of why the motor isn't spinning.
Can you recover data from a hard drive with platter damage?
It depends on the extent of the damage. Light platter scratches from brief head contact: we can often recover 80-95% of data by imaging around damaged zones with controlled retries. Severe scoring from prolonged operation with damaged heads: recovery drops, sometimes to 50% or less of files. Circular scoring (ring of death): data in the scored zone is typically unrecoverable, but data on undamaged tracks can often be saved. The earlier you stop powering a clicking drive, the less platter damage accumulates.
What is a head crash and can data be recovered?
A head crash occurs when the read/write heads physically contact the spinning platter surface, scraping off the magnetic coating that stores data. This creates visible circular scoring and metallic debris inside the drive. Recovery depends on severity: if the crash was brief (drive powered off quickly), most data outside the contact zone is recoverable. If the drive ran for hours with crashed heads, scoring can be extensive. We perform head swaps on our clean bench, clean debris from the platters using specialized techniques, and image conservatively to recover as much data as possible.
Can data be recovered from a hard drive that was in a fire?
Often yes, depending on temperature exposure. Hard drive platters store data as magnetic orientation in a cobalt-chromium-platinum alloy layer. The Curie temperature of cobalt alloy is approximately 1,115 degrees Celsius (source: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics); below that threshold, the magnetic orientation that encodes your data remains stable. Most residential fires reach 600 to 800 degrees Celsius at the ceiling (per NFPA fire dynamics research), and the aluminum drive chassis and platter substrate provide thermal insulation, so the interior of the drive often stays below the critical threshold. The bigger threat is water from fire suppression systems, which causes PCB corrosion, connector oxidation, and head contamination. We clean and inspect fire-damaged drives on our clean bench, transplant ROM chips to donor PCBs, and image the platters. Success varies: smoke-exposed drives recover well; drives from the fire's epicenter are more challenging.
Can you recover data from a hard drive with bad sectors?
Yes. Bad sectors are one of the most common and most recoverable failure types. We use PC-3000 and DeepSpar to image the drive with controlled read retries, timeouts, and head disabling to work around bad areas. A drive with scattered bad sectors typically yields 95-100% data recovery. A drive with a growing bad sector zone may indicate degrading heads, in which case we image aggressively before the heads fail completely. Do not run CHKDSK or fsck on a drive with growing bad sectors. These tools make write operations that can worsen head damage.
Can data be recovered from an encrypted hard drive?
It depends on the encryption type. Hardware-encrypted drives (WD My Passport, some Seagate externals): we can recover data if the encryption chip is functional, since the key is stored on the USB bridge PCB. We transplant the chip to a working board. Software-encrypted drives (BitLocker, FileVault, VeraCrypt): we can recover the encrypted volume, but you need the password or recovery key to decrypt it. We cannot bypass encryption without the key. Full-disk encryption with a working key: we image the drive, then you decrypt the image. The encryption itself doesn't affect our ability to recover the raw data; it's the decryption step that requires your key.
What is the difference between HDD and SSD data recovery?
HDDs store data magnetically on spinning aluminum or glass platters using a cobalt alloy magnetic layer; SSDs store data electrically in NAND flash chips as trapped electrons in floating-gate transistors. HDD recovery focuses on mechanical repair (head swaps, spindle motor work, platter transplants) and firmware correction (service area module repair, ROM extraction, adaptive parameter restoration). SSD recovery focuses on controller replacement, direct NAND chip-off reading, and flash translation layer (FTL) reconstruction. HDDs are generally more recoverable from physical damage because the magnetic data persists on platters independent of electronics. SSDs with controller failure can be harder because the data is scrambled across multiple NAND chips using wear leveling algorithms, and recovering it requires the controller's mapping table or reverse-engineering the data layout. We use the PC-3000 Portable III for HDD recovery and PC-3000 SSD for solid-state drive cases.
How does a clean room vs clean bench affect recovery success?
A clean room is an entire room maintained at ISO Class 5 per ISO 14644-1, allowing a maximum of 3,520 particles (0.5 microns or larger) per cubic meter. A clean bench (laminar flow hood) creates a localized clean zone at the workstation using HEPA or ULPA filtration with unidirectional airflow. For hard drive data recovery, a properly validated clean bench provides adequate particle control for head swaps and platter work; the critical area is the 12-inch zone directly above the open drive, not the entire room. Our laminar-flow bench filters to 0.02 microns and validates to localized ISO Class 4 equivalent conditions before every open-drive procedure. Large corporate labs use clean rooms partly as marketing ('ISO Class 5 cleanroom'), but recovery success rates are determined by technician skill and tooling, not room size or facility overhead.
What is PC-3000 and why does it matter for data recovery?
PC-3000 is professional data recovery hardware and software manufactured by ACE Lab. It is the industry-standard tool used by virtually every legitimate data recovery lab worldwide, including DriveSavers, Ontrack, and independent labs. PC-3000 communicates directly with a hard drive's firmware through vendor-specific terminal commands (Seagate F3, WD ATA, Toshiba UART); it can repair corrupted service area modules, extract and rewrite ROM data, disable failing heads via head maps, control read timeouts at the sector level, and bypass drive-level security locks. Without PC-3000-class tools, a recovery lab is limited to software-only approaches that cannot fix firmware corruption, translator failure, or mechanical issues. We use the PC-3000 Portable III (the current generation) along with DeepSpar Disk Imager for controlled sector-level imaging with configurable retry and timeout parameters.
What file systems can you recover data from?
We recover from all common file systems: NTFS and FAT32 (Windows), HFS+ and APFS (Mac), ext2/ext3/ext4 and XFS (Linux), UFS (FreeBSD), and ZFS. We also handle RAID-specific file systems and NAS configurations (Synology, QNAP, TrueNAS). File system type affects the recovery approach but not whether recovery is possible. We image the raw drive first (bypassing the file system entirely), then reconstruct files from the image. Even if the file system is completely destroyed, file carving can recover documents, photos, and videos based on file signatures.
What is firmware corruption and how does it cause data loss?
Hard drive firmware is microcode stored in a reserved area on the platters called the Service Area (SA), plus a small ROM chip on the PCB. The SA contains dozens of modules that control how the drive operates: the translator module maps logical block addresses (LBAs) to physical head/cylinder locations, adaptive parameters store per-head calibration data, and the P-list/G-list track defective sectors. Firmware corruption can cause a drive to not be detected, misidentify its capacity (showing 0 GB or 32 MB), or refuse to read data; yet the user data on the platters is perfectly intact. Common causes include power loss during a firmware update, bad sector growth encroaching into the SA tracks, and age-related magnetic degradation of the service area. PC-3000 communicates with drives at the firmware level through vendor-specific terminal protocols (Seagate F3, WD ATA commands) to read, repair, and rewrite these modules. Firmware recoveries are among our highest-success cases because user data is untouched.
Can data be recovered after running CHKDSK or Disk Utility?
Usually yes, but CHKDSK and Disk Utility can make recovery harder. These tools make write operations to 'repair' the file system: they relocate sectors, rebuild directory entries, and sometimes move data. On a physically failing drive, this causes additional head stress and can worsen damage. On a logically corrupted drive, CHKDSK may orphan files or overwrite directory structures. If you've run CHKDSK and your files are missing, we can often recover them by carving the raw image. But prevention is better: never run repair tools on a drive with suspected physical issues. Clone first, repair the clone.
How do you recover data from a RAID array with a failed drive?
For RAID 1 (mirror): we recover data from the surviving drive, or recover the failed drive individually. For RAID 5: we image all drives, rebuild the array virtually, and reconstruct using parity. A single-drive RAID 5 failure is straightforward if the remaining drives are healthy. For RAID 0 (striped, no redundancy): we must recover all drives and reconstruct the stripe order. RAID 6 tolerates two simultaneous failures. We handle all RAID levels and common NAS configurations (Synology DSM, QNAP QTS, TrueNAS). Important: do not attempt RAID rebuilds on degraded arrays with failing drives. The rebuild process can kill the second drive.
Why is data recovery so expensive at some companies?
Three factors inflate data recovery pricing: (1) Advertising: companies spending $50-100K/month on Google Ads pass that cost to customers. (2) Outsourcing: middleman companies accept drives, ship them to a partner lab, and add their markup. (3) Certification overhead: SOC 2 audits ($50K+/year), ISO cleanroom maintenance, and enterprise sales teams all get factored into per-job pricing. We keep costs at $100-$2,000 across 5 published tiers because we do all work in-house in Austin, don't buy ads, and invest in equipment rather than certifications. Same PC-3000 tools, same clean bench procedures, lower overhead.
What's included in a free data recovery evaluation?
Our free evaluation includes: (1) Visual inspection of the drive exterior for damage, (2) PCB inspection for burnt components or corrosion, (3) Listening for mechanical sounds (clicking, beeping, grinding), (4) If safe, connecting to PC-3000 for firmware-level diagnosis, (5) Determining the failure type (logical, firmware, or mechanical), (6) Providing a firm price quote for recovery. We do NOT attempt recovery during evaluation. We diagnose first and quote a fixed price. You approve before any chargeable work begins. If we determine recovery is unlikely to succeed, we'll tell you honestly rather than charge for an attempt.
How do I ship my hard drive safely for mail-in recovery?
Wrap the drive in anti-static bubble wrap or an anti-static bag. Place it in a box with at least 2 inches of padding on all sides (foam, bubble wrap, or crumpled paper). Do NOT use packing peanuts alone; the drive can shift and impact the box walls. Mark the box 'FRAGILE' and use a tracked shipping method (USPS Priority, UPS, FedEx). Include a note with your name, email, phone, and a description of the problem. We provide a prepaid return label after recovery. Ship to: Rossmann Repair Group, 2410 San Antonio Street, Austin, TX 78705.
Do you offer emergency or rush data recovery?
Yes. Our standard turnaround is 5-10 business days. For urgent cases, we offer priority service (2-3 business days) with a surcharge. Emergency same-day or next-day evaluation is available for qualifying cases; contact us to discuss. Rush availability depends on current lab workload and the complexity of your case. Firmware and logical recoveries are easiest to rush; head swaps requiring specific donor sourcing may have minimum lead times regardless of priority level.
How do I know my data is secure during recovery?
Your drive never leaves our Austin lab. Only your assigned technician accesses your data. We work on encrypted workstations and recovered data is stored on encrypted drives. We sign NDAs on request. After you confirm receipt of your recovered data, we securely wipe all working copies from our systems. We don't subcontract, outsource, or ship drives to partner labs. Chain-of-custody documentation is available for legal and compliance cases.
What's the difference between Level 1, 2, and 3 data recovery?
These tiers describe recovery complexity: Level 1 (Logical, $100-$500): The drive works physically but data is lost from deletion, formatting, or corruption. Recovery is software-based from a cloned image. Level 2 (Firmware, $600-$900): The drive spins but isn't detected or misidentifies. Requires PC-3000 firmware repair to restore access, then imaging. Level 3 (Mechanical, $1,200-$2,000): The drive has physical damage: stuck/failed heads, seized motor, PCB failure. Requires clean bench work, donor parts, and specialized imaging. Most companies use similar tiers but charge 2-3x more at each level.
What happens if you can't recover my data?
You don't pay. Our no-data-no-charge policy means if we cannot recover your target files, there is no charge for the recovery attempt. We provide a file listing before delivery so you can verify we recovered what you need. The only scenario where a nominal fee applies is if recovery is technically successful but you decline the data. We eat the cost of technician time, donor parts, and clean bench work on unsuccessful cases. It's a risk we accept because it builds trust and gives you zero financial downside.
How does Rossmann compare to Ontrack for data recovery?
Ontrack (Kroll Ontrack) has 35+ years of experience and handles large enterprise RAID/SAN recoveries. Their pricing is quote-based and typically $800-$3,000+ for standard HDD recovery. We use the same class of tools (PC-3000, DeepSpar) and achieve comparable results on consumer and small business drives for $100-$2,000. Key differences: we offer direct technician communication (Ontrack uses account managers), transparent upfront pricing (vs quote-based), and YouTube-documented processes. Ontrack may be better suited for complex enterprise RAID arrays; we're a better fit for individual drives and small business recoveries where cost transparency matters.
What's the difference between Rossmann and SecureData Recovery?
SecureData Recovery advertises a 96% success rate and ISO 4 cleanroom certification. Their pricing typically runs $500-$3,000+. We perform comparable recovery work with PC-3000 tools and a localized ISO Class 4 equivalent clean bench for $100-$2,000. Key differences: SecureData has multiple locations (we're Austin-only with mail-in nationwide), SecureData emphasizes certifications (we emphasize transparent pricing and YouTube-documented work), and SecureData uses account managers (we connect you directly with your technician). Both companies do legitimate in-house recovery work.
Why choose Rossmann over a local data recovery shop?
Most local computer repair shops don't have PC-3000 tools or clean bench facilities. They either attempt software-only recovery (which fails on firmware and mechanical issues) or ship your drive to a partner lab and add their markup. Questions to ask any local shop: Do you have PC-3000 equipment? Do you do head swaps in-house? Can I speak to the technician? If the answers are no, they're middlemen. We do all work in-house in Austin with PC-3000 Portable III and a validated clean bench. Mail-in takes 2-3 days transit and we provide prepaid return shipping.
Is Rossmann cheaper than DriveSavers for the same work?
For most HDD recoveries, yes, typically 50-70% less. A clicking drive head swap that DriveSavers quotes at $2,500-$7,000, we typically complete for $1,200-$1,500. A firmware repair they quote at $1,500-$2,000, we handle for $600-$900. The work is the same: PC-3000 diagnosis, clean bench head swaps, sector-level imaging. The price difference comes from overhead: DriveSavers spends heavily on advertising, maintains an ISO Class 5 cleanroom (vs our localized ISO Class 4 equivalent bench), has SOC 2 certification ($50K+/year), and employs a larger support staff. We invest in tools and keep overhead low.
Can data be recovered from an SSD after TRIM?
TRIM (defined in the ATA Command Set as 'Data Set Management') tells the SSD controller to erase blocks that no longer contain valid data. Once the controller processes the TRIM command, it zeroes or unmaps those NAND flash pages, making recovery of trimmed files impossible in most cases. However, TRIM only affects deleted files on a healthy, powered-on SSD. If your SSD has a controller failure, firmware corruption, or will not power on, the TRIM queue has not executed and the raw NAND data remains intact. We can recover data from failed SSDs by reading NAND chips directly (chip-off) or repairing the controller firmware with the PC-3000 SSD tool from ACE Lab. If you accidentally deleted files on a working SSD, act fast; some SSDs and operating systems delay TRIM execution (Windows issues TRIM in batches, and some older SSDs queue TRIM commands).
Can you recover data from a NAS (Synology, QNAP, etc.)?
Yes. NAS recovery involves imaging each drive individually, then virtually reconstructing the RAID array and file system. Synology uses Linux-based mdraid and Btrfs/ext4; QNAP uses similar configurations. We handle RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID). Common NAS failures: multiple drive failures in a degraded array, firmware update failures, and volume corruption. Important: if your NAS reports a degraded array, do NOT attempt a rebuild if any remaining drives show S.M.A.R.T. warnings. The rebuild stress can kill the next weakest drive and make recovery much harder.
How long does data last on hard drive platters?
Magnetic data on hard drive platters can persist for decades under proper storage conditions (cool, dry, away from strong magnetic fields). Modern platters use a cobalt-chromium-platinum alloy with high coercivity (typically 4,000 to 6,000 Oersted for perpendicular magnetic recording media), meaning the magnetic orientation that encodes data resists change from external fields or thermal fluctuation. Drives stored unpowered for 10 to 20+ years typically still contain fully recoverable data. The practical risk is not data decay; it is mechanical degradation: spindle bearing lubricant dries out, head parking ramp material becomes brittle, and PCB electrolytic capacitors age and leak. If you have an old drive you need data from, do not power it on; the dried bearings can seize and damage platters on the first spin. Send it for professional evaluation.
Can overwritten data be recovered from a hard drive?
On modern high-density drives, no. Once data is overwritten, the original magnetic pattern is destroyed. The myth that overwritten data can be recovered with an electron microscope originates from Peter Gutmann's 1996 paper 'Secure Deletion of Data from Magnetic and Solid-State Memory,' which studied low-density MFM/RLL drives. Modern drives use perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) at track densities exceeding 500,000 tracks per inch; at this density, a single overwrite pass is sufficient to make the original data unrecoverable. NIST Special Publication 800-88 ('Guidelines for Media Sanitization') confirms that a single-pass overwrite is adequate for modern magnetic media. This means: if you deleted files and then wrote new data to the same sectors, those files are gone. Files in sectors that have not yet been overwritten can still be recovered via file carving techniques.
My hard drive is making a grinding noise: what should I do?
Grinding (as opposed to clicking) usually means the spindle motor bearing has seized or the heads are dragging across the platter surface. Power off immediately. Do not attempt to power it on again. Grinding with heads on platters causes progressive surface damage that destroys data zones. This is a clean bench case requiring either head replacement, motor/platter transplant, or both. Ship the drive to us unpowered with padding. Grinding drives have lower recovery rates than clicking drives because surface damage is typically more extensive, but recovery is often still possible for data outside the damaged zones.
Can you recover data from a Mac hard drive or Fusion Drive?
Yes. Mac HDDs use HFS+ or APFS file systems, both of which we fully support. Fusion Drives combine an SSD and HDD into a single logical volume managed by macOS Core Storage; we image both components and reconstruct the Fusion volume. T2-chip Macs with hardware encryption require your Mac login password or recovery key to decrypt after imaging. For older Macs (pre-2018 without T2), recovery is straightforward; same HDD recovery process regardless of whether it was in a Mac or PC. We also recover data from failed Mac SSDs (soldered NAND on 2016+ MacBooks).
What do S.M.A.R.T. errors mean for data recovery?
S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) tracks drive health metrics. Key indicators: Reallocated Sector Count (spare sectors used to replace bad ones; rising counts mean the drive is degrading), Current Pending Sector (sectors waiting to be reallocated; indicates active bad sector growth), and Uncorrectable Sector Count (sectors that can't be read at all). If S.M.A.R.T. reports errors, back up immediately and stop using the drive. Don't wait for it to fail completely. If you can't back up because the drive is too slow or producing errors, send it for professional imaging. We can extract data from degrading drives before they fail entirely.
Can you recover data from old IDE/PATA hard drives?
Yes. IDE (PATA) drives from the early 2000s and earlier use a 40-pin parallel interface instead of modern SATA. We have IDE adapters for PC-3000 and can handle drives from 500MB to 500GB IDE models. Common IDE drive brands: Maxtor DiamondMax, Western Digital Caviar, Seagate Barracuda ATA, IBM/Hitachi Deskstar. Age is the biggest challenge; these drives may have dried bearing lubricant and brittle head assemblies. Donor availability is limited for rare models. If you have an old IDE drive, don't power it on without professional evaluation.
Guides & Resources
Research your options before making a decision. These guides help you understand when to DIY, when to hire a pro, and how to choose the right service.
How to Recover Data From a Hard Drive
Complete guide: DIY methods, when to use software, when to call a pro
Software vs. Professional Service
Decision guide: Which approach is right for your situation?
How to Choose a Recovery Service
What to look for, red flags to avoid, questions to ask
Hard Drive Recovery Near Me
Nationwide mail-in service: Local vs. specialized labs
Emergency Recovery Service
Rush service for time-critical situations
Free DIY Recovery Guide
Step-by-step ddrescue guide for drives that still read
Locations We Serve
Ship your drive from anywhere in the U.S. to our Austin lab. Here are some of the major cities we serve with mail-in data recovery.
New York Data RecoveryProfessional Recovery ServicesLos Angeles Data RecoveryProfessional Recovery ServicesChicago Data RecoveryProfessional Recovery ServicesHouston Data RecoveryProfessional Recovery ServicesPhoenix Data RecoveryProfessional Recovery ServicesSan Francisco Data RecoveryProfessional Recovery ServicesSeattle Data RecoveryProfessional Recovery ServicesDenver Data RecoveryProfessional Recovery Services
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Sources & References
The statistics, specifications, and claims on this page are sourced from public data. We cite our sources so you can verify independently.
- Backblaze Hard Drive Stats (2024): Annualized failure rate data from a fleet of 300,000+ drives. Seagate fleet AFR: 1.52%; WD fleet AFR: 0.59%; model-level AFR ranges cited on this page come from this dataset.
- ACE Lab PC-3000 Portable III: Industry-standard data recovery hardware and software used by professional labs worldwide. Manufacturer specifications referenced for tool capabilities.
- DeepSpar Disk Imager: Professional sector-level imaging tool with controlled retry and timeout features. Used in conjunction with PC-3000 for forensic imaging.
- Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302): Federal law referenced regarding independent repair and warranty rights. Manufacturers cannot void warranty for using an independent service provider.
- ISO 14644-1:2015: Classification of air cleanliness for cleanrooms and clean zones. ISO Class 5 (Class 100) and ISO Class 4 (Class 10) standards referenced in the clean bench comparison table.
- Pricing comparisons are based on publicly available information from competitor websites, verified as of January 2026. DriveSavers, Ontrack, and Geek Squad pricing ranges reflect published quotes and customer-reported data.
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Free evaluation. No data = no charge. Mail-in from anywhere in the U.S.