You may choose to try and recover your data yourself, using one of the hundreds of data recovery software available today. It’s much cheaper than hiring a professional data recovery service which can be very expensive, and you can do it at home, which is very convenient. What’s more, the process may take you just half an hour, whereas the data recovery service can take days.

If you really need to retrieve your data immediately, you might as well try to do it yourself. If you are not such a computer whiz, you could download iRecover software from the Internet. This user-friendly programme is popular and costs about $80. You may even find a discounted price. The software claims to be safe and non-destructive because it’s read-only, and so cannot overwrite any of your files. You can try the demo which will tell you how good your chances of recovering your data are, so you won’t be wasting your money.

Buying a well-known data recovery programme is a far better option than downloading some free software, because this type always comes with limitations. Many PC users say that it is not a good idea to use free software, for it can ruin the chances of a successful recovery. However, even the DIY data recovery software you buy can only be used in specific situations. They may not be applicable in all situations, so you must know what exactly is wrong with your system.

The Risks of Doing it Yourself

If you are no computer whiz, it is better to call in the data recovery experts. This is partly because you may not be able to pinpoint the cause of the loss. For instance, if the data loss is due to the physical failure of your hard drive – usually heralded by strange noises, but sometimes it creeps up on you silently – you will lose your data permanently by running the software on your drive. Physical hard drive failure needs a clean room environment because the hard drive has to be opened up and dust and debris will damage the hard drive further. You certainly can’t do it yourself.

Also, make sure you select the right data recovery programme. It must come with an undo option so that you can undo the changes made if it doesn’t work. If you can’t undo the changes, you’ll have to call for expert help.

Calling in the Experts

If you decide to opt for data recovery services, do some research on the internet. Check the websites of these companies for their available services, testimonials or references as well as their pricing system.

Find out about their success rates, and be wary of those that claim a 100% success rate. Either they are being dishonest, or haven’t been in the business long enough. Ask about service guarantees, and whether they determine the rates according to the amount of data recovered. This way you will know how much of your data you really want to save.

The best way to find a reputed service is to ask the manufacturer of your hard drive, as some data recovery companies work better with certain hard drive brands. You will know that the company is professional if it has a class 100 clean room and all the expensive hi-tech equipment required to salvage your data. A professional company will not attempt to recover your data unless it is 100% sure of success. And it will keep all your information confidential. However, get your hard drive over to the experts as fast as possible because with time it can get worse.

It is advisable to visit the company and check for yourself. Do not make the mistake of sending the disk to them; take it yourself so you avoid any chances of mishandling and further damage.

Find out whether they develop the software themselves. If they do, it means that they are equipped with reliable in-lab services.

Be careful out there in cyberspace. Some data recovery companies claim to have developed machines that can read drive platters inside damaged SATA RAID servers without having to change the write heads. This is a very suspect claim according to the Pentagon which put up an ad after 9/11, asking data recovery companies to clarify this claim. There were no answers and the ad was eventually withdrawn.

Whether you decide to recover your data yourself or call in the experts, one thing is certain: you will have understood the value of a good backup system. It will be a lesson well-learnt and the one you will never forget.

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