HDD data recovery

[SynicalFox]

So a friend's hard drive has likely died (even after I warned them it was reading 0% the last time I copied files onto it for them) and now they really need some contents off the drive.

It seems it appears as a unformatted disk in windows.

What software can I use to try recover the documents and pics (roughly 300GB total) off of it.

Alternatively it may even not be readable and will likely need to be stripped and the platters read in an external data recovery device - anyone who can advise here.

We were quoted R850 / GB which to me is 1) an absolute rip off for what we need to recover
2) a future job prospective if this is the industry going rate

So please advise

 

[Mogamad]

Theres a guy on Facebook who is wizard at data recovery. his name is Raymond Whittaker. Not sure of his rates though but worth messaging him.

 

[KillerHurtZ]

Hey man, that is a total rip-off!! Sadly many fly by night's do ask those prices because people are desperate to get their data back and don't do enough homework before hand to find proper recovery companies.

Full transparency, I work for a Data Recovery Company (LVC Data Recovery) and we do free courier pick up country wide, free analysis and quotes(the quotes are final and do not come with extra hidden costs added on afterwards) and work on a No-Recovery No-Charge basis.

I would be very careful of anyone who asks any sort of fee up-front or charge you for spare parts needed to do your recovery, they will make their money if they can recover your data or not, so they have no incentive to actually do their best to recovery everything.

Secondly, while there are free software available (a quick google will bring up hundreds) just be careful again and read legitimate reviews of any software you plan on using.

 

[thombain]

Testdisk is my go to. Have a read through the TestDisk - Partition Recovery and File Undelete
Goodluck!

 

[KillerHurtZ]

I can vouch for that, as far as free goes, it's one of the best, not professional grade but by no means to be dismissed.

 

[SynicalFox]

Hey man, that is a total rip-off!! Sadly many fly by night's do ask those prices because people are desperate to get their data back and don't do enough homework before hand to find proper recovery companies.

Full transparency, I work for a Data Recovery Company (LVC Data Recovery) and we do free courier pick up country wide, free analysis and quotes(the quotes are final and do not come with extra hidden costs added on afterwards) and work on a No-Recovery No-Charge basis.

I would be very careful of anyone who asks any sort of fee up-front or charge you for spare parts needed to do your recovery, they will make their money if they can recover your data or not, so they have no incentive to actually do their best to recovery everything.

Secondly, while there are free software available (a quick google will bring up hundreds) just be careful again and read legitimate reviews of any software you plan on using.

I'll try the software that was mentioned below an see if it works. If not I'll pm you with regards to recovery and pricing.

I know the friends are desperate as it's family photos and her work documents

 

[ProP]

I have used GetDataBack numerous times before and recommend them.

 

[RandomSheepZA]

Yeah, getdataback is tops.