Database Recovery Service
When a server drive fails, database repair software cannot help because it cannot read the files. We recover the drive first using PC-3000 and clean bench techniques, then repair the database structure from the recovered image. SQL Server, Exchange, MySQL, Oracle, QuickBooks, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB. No data, no fee.
Why Database Repair Software Fails After a Drive Crash
Tools like Stellar Repair for SQL, SysTools Exchange Recovery, and open-source utilities such as mysqlcheck operate on files that already exist on a readable filesystem. They parse database page headers, rebuild indexes, and patch torn pages. None of them can read a drive with failed heads, corrupted firmware, or damaged platters.
The failure sequence in most server crashes follows a predictable pattern: a drive develops bad sectors or a mechanical fault, the OS retries reads aggressively, the database engine detects I/O errors and marks the database as suspect or dismounts the store, and the administrator discovers that the underlying drive is no longer accessible. At this point, every software repair tool reports the same thing: file not found.
We handle both layers. The physical recovery produces a clean sector-level image of the drive. The database repair phase operates on that image, never on the original media.
Two-Layer Recovery Workflow
Layer 1: Physical Drive Recovery
- Write-blocked forensic imaging using PC-3000 and DeepSpar with conservative retry settings
- Head swap in 0.02µm ULPA-filtered clean bench if heads have failed
- Firmware repair for drives reporting wrong capacity, wrong model ID, or refusing to spin
- Bad sector management with adaptive read parameters to maximize data yield from degraded platters
- Full sector-level clone to a healthy target drive before any database work begins
Layer 2: Database Structure Repair
- Mount recovered MDF/EDB/InnoDB files from the cloned image in an isolated environment
- Page-level integrity scan to identify torn pages, checksum failures, and orphaned records
- Hex-level repair of damaged page headers and allocation metadata
- Transaction log reconstruction when LDF/E00 log files are missing or corrupt
- Final export: restored database files, mailbox PSTs, or raw table dumps depending on engine
Supported Database Engines
Microsoft SQL Server
MDF/NDF/LDF recovery. Error 5171, 823, 824 resolution. Suspect mode databases. DBCC alternatives that preserve data instead of deleting it. SQL Server 2000 through 2022.
Microsoft Exchange Server
EDB file recovery with per-mailbox extraction. Dirty shutdown repair, -1018 checksum errors, JET database corruption. Exchange 2003 through 2019. PST export per user.
MySQL / MariaDB
InnoDB tablespace recovery (ibdata1, .ibd per-table files). Redo log reconstruction when ib_logfile0/1 are corrupted. MyISAM .MYD/.MYI repair for legacy tables. MySQL 5.0 through 8.x, MariaDB 10.x.
Oracle Database
Datafile (.dbf) recovery, ASM diskgroup reassembly, control file reconstruction. ORA-01578 block corruption, ORA-00600 internal errors. Oracle 11g through 21c, including CDB/PDB multitenant.
QuickBooks
QBW company file recovery from failed drives. Error -6000/-301, -6000/-82, and C=343 resolution. Sybase ASA page-level repair. QuickBooks 2006 through 2025, Pro/Premier/Enterprise.
PostgreSQL
Data directory recovery from failed drives. WAL segment reconstruction, pg_control repair, TOAST table recovery, and per-table COPY export from recovered clusters. PostgreSQL 9.x through 18.
MongoDB
WiredTiger collection file extraction, BSON document recovery, oplog replay, and catalog metadata rebuild. Sharded cluster reassembly and GridFS file reconstruction. MongoDB 3.2 through 8.0.
Stop Before Running Repair Commands
DBCC REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS, eseutil /p, and innodb_force_recovery=6 are destructive operations. They delete data they cannot validate. If the corruption originates from a physical drive problem, these commands destroy data that a proper drive recovery would have preserved. Power down the server and contact us before running repair utilities.
Pricing
Database recovery pricing is based on the physical condition of the drive, not the database engine. The database repair phase is included at no additional cost. Drives in RAID arrays are priced per member drive.
| 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 ultra-high-capacity drives (20TB and above), the target drive costs approximately $400+ due to the large media required. All prices are plus applicable tax.
Why Recover Databases With Rossmann Repair Group
Two-layer recovery
Physical drive repair (PC-3000, head swaps, firmware correction) followed by logical database structure repair. One lab handles both.
Multi-engine support
SQL Server MDF/NDF, Exchange EDB, MySQL InnoDB, PostgreSQL. The drive recovery is universal; the database repair adapts to each engine's on-disk format.
Transparent pricing
Five published tiers based on drive condition. Database repair is included. If we recover nothing usable, you pay $0.
Direct engineer access
Talk to the person doing the work. No sales scripts, no account managers, no call center.
No evaluation fee
Free assessment of drive condition and recovery feasibility before any paid work begins.
Image-first workflow
Every drive is forensically imaged before any repair attempts. Original media is never modified. All database repair runs against the cloned image.
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 ULPA-filtered laminar-flow bench, validated to 0.02 µm particle count, verified using TSI P-Trak instrumentation.
Transparent History
Serving clients nationwide via mail-in service since 2008. Our lead engineer holds PC-3000 and HEX Akademia certifications for hard drive firmware repair and mechanical recovery.
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.
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 videoDatabase Recovery FAQ
What types of databases do you recover?
Can you recover a database from a physically failed drive?
How is database recovery priced?
Do you need our entire server?
How long does database recovery take?
Related Recovery Services
MDF/NDF file recovery, suspect mode, Error 5171/823/824
EDB corruption, mailbox extraction, PST export
InnoDB tablespace, ibdata1, redo log reconstruction
ASM diskgroups, datafile block repair, control files
QBW company files, Error -6000/-301, Sybase repair
WAL reconstruction, pg_control repair, TOAST recovery
WiredTiger extraction, oplog replay, BSON recovery
RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10 arrays and NAS devices
Recover Your Database
Call Mon-Fri 10am-6pm CT or email for a free evaluation.