Data Recovery Blog

So, you’re in need of data recovery services and, like any sensible businessperson, you want to know how much it’s going to cost so that you can consider how it’ll affect your bottom line. Hey, we don’t blame you. In a perfect world we’d all know how much something was going to cost and be able to gauge the value of the investment beforehand. Data recovery can be required because key data that is vital to a business’s day-to-day activities has been lost and, when this is the case, the cost is almost irrelevant as the data must be recovered. In other situations, however, data is lost that is assumed to have some value but it’s exact worth is not fully known or understood. When the latter situation applies, the lack of transparency concerning the cost of actually recovering the data makes it difficult to determine whether or not doing so would be fiscally sensible. Of course, if data recovery experts were able to offer their services for a fixed-price, this problem would be negated. There are, however, a number of factors that need to be considered before it’s possible to determine how long the recovery will take, the manpower that the recovery will require, the tools and techniques that will need to be utilised and so on. This means that, before the media has been analysed, the problem identified, and a solution determined, it is simply not possible to state how much the recovery will cost. But what if there was a way to get a fixed-quote without any initial spend? Here’s how you can get a fixed-price quotation for data recovery services If the situation we’ve described above sounds all too familiar, we have some very, very good news: we offer a data recovery diagnostic service completely free-of-charge! Yes, we’ll perform a diagnostic on your failed media, determine if your data can be recovered and, following, this, will provide you with a fixed-quote for our data recovery services. We’ll even provide you with a file list of all of the recoverable data contained on your media so you’ll know exactly what you’ll get back. Equally important is the fact that the quote we provide is 100% free of obligation. If you don’t want the recovery to go ahead, you can simply request that your media be returned to you. This means that you can determine whether or not this fee represents a worthwhile investment and make your decision accordingly. So, if you lose data, you no longer need to guess whether or not it’s worth investing in data recovery services. You can find out exactly how much it’ll cost to get your data back and you’ll be able to work out whether or not it’s a worthwhile investment. After all, good business decisions are based on facts, not assumptions! In order to get your fixed-price data recovery quote, you can book a diagnostic through our website or call our team directly on 02078 626 349. 

The head crash is, amongst those operating within Information Communication Technology at least, truly infamous. It’s one of the most common causes of hard drive failure and data loss. As a result, it’s both despised and feared by IT professionals and expert data recovery technicians in equal measure.]But just what exactly is a head crash? Well, before we explain, we’ll need to provide a bit more information about how hard drives work.How hard drives workHard drives store data by using components called read/write heads to record data onto a separate part of the drive known as ‘platters. The heads write either a one or zero onto microscopic sectors of these platters by magnetizing or demagnetizing them. The sectors that contain the data that comprise a file are then recorded by the drive and, when the file is opened, the read/write head reads what is stored in these sectors and the file is opened.So, the key takeaways here are that all data is stored in a hard drive’s platters and that this data is both written to and retrieved from these platters via the drive’s read/write head.So, what is a head crash exactly?You’ve probably already realised that a head crash will involve both a drive’s read/write head (the clue’s in the name) and its platters, but it’s how these two elements interact with one another when a head crash occurs that make it such a potentially catastrophic occurrence.A head crash occurs when a hard drive’s read/write head comes into contact with its platters. Usually, these are held just a few millimetres above these discs but, whether due to a mechanical failure or damage to internal components, they can come into contact with the platters – and data loss is an almost inevitable result.Platters are coated in a thin film of a material that can be magnetized or de-magnetized and it is within this coating that data is stored. When a drive’s head touches the platter, it strips this coating away – taking the data that was stored there with it. This is often made worse by the fact that users – unaware of the possible reason why their drive is failing to boot up – continuously try and try to access their files after a head crash has taken place, with the head stripping away more and more of this coating in the process.Identify a head crash and minimise the damage If your hard drive is making a grinding sound or spinning frequently without actually booting up, it’s possible it’s suffered from a head crash. Power it down immediately to prevent extensive data loss and book a free data recovery diagnostic with us ASAP!

We’ve discussed how computer viruses can bring about data loss previously, but this is just one of the drawbacks of having an infected machine. Reduced performance, irritating popups and – in the worst-case scenario – financial loss are all possible when a device is infected by an insidious programme. For several years, this has resulted in many consumers who falsely believed that Macs could not be infected by viruses opting for these devices over PCs.Sadly, this is – as we’ve alluded previously – a myth. The operating systems used by Macs have flaws that hackers can exploit – leveraging them is simply less profitable when compared to Windows.Why we all thought Macs couldn’t get virusesWhen Windows became the operating system of choice, it was only logical that nefarious individuals would target such systems. In particular, the vast majority of commercial entities elected to purchase devices running Microsoft’s OS, effectively making it the target of choice for hackers. It is here, after all, that the money is, and financial gain is a hacker’s ultimate goal.So, in short, Macs have long been perceived as being ‘immune’ to computer viruses because few viruses were developed that targeted their operating system. As they have grown in popularity, however, this has changed.What type of viruses can infect Macs?With Macs having grown in popularity amongst home and commercial users (particularly within the creative industries), viruses exploiting flaws in their operating system have become far more commonplace.Mac users can find their devices infected with malware, trojan horses, spyware and any other computer virus you can think of. Apple’s claim that their devices were immune to infections was never true but, these days, it’s easily disproved. Yes, their operating system is widely believed to be more secure than Windows, but it’s also true that more and more IT professionals are encountering infected Macs than ever before. Fields Data Recovery are no different: we’ve seen more Macs that have lost data because of viruses over the last two years than we had in the previous 18 combined.How viruses can cause data loss on a MacViruses can render data inaccessible for any number of reasons but the most common are it having been encrypted via malware or that the device has failed in its entirety because of the infection. Fortunately, we’re usually able to recover data from Macs when it’s been lost under these circumstances, but data loss – whilst so often highly damaging – pales in comparison to the worst possible outcome for anyone whose device is infected with a virus.Cybercrime continues to become more of an issue for businesses, public bodies, charities and individuals alike and there are no signs of it abating. Whatever device you may use, the need to be vigilant; to refrain from downloading anything from sources you don’t recognise; to keep any anti-virus software you have up-to-date; to remain mindful of the threat hackers pose. Doing so will not guarantee your device is immune to infections, but it will certainly help.But what can I do if I have lost data because of a virus? Get in touch with Fields Data Recovery! We offer a completely free, no-risk data recovery diagnostic: we’ll determine precisely why your data’s been lost, work out the best means of recovering it and provide you with a no-obligation quote. Decline the quote, and we’ll return your media to you absolutely free-of-charge.

Data has, over the last two decades, come to play a vital role in many businesses' day-to-day activities. So, when a business requires data recovery services, they usually need the job done as quickly as possible. It should come as no surprise, then, to hear that stakeholders are nigh-on always extremely keen to know just how quickly we can recover their data.On average, we complete data recovery jobs within two business days. There are, however, several factors that can affect these timeframes. Here are the most common:Severely damaged mediaThe process of recovering data from storage media that has suffered significant physical damage is inevitably more time-consuming. Whereas most media will require minor repairs before we can begin the process of retrieving data from it, media that has been subjected to significant damage will require more extensive work before we can begin the recovery process.We have, for example, previously recovered data from fire-damaged servers, hard drives that have spent days in salt water and USB sticks that have been, literally, run over. In each case, we needed to utilise atypical techniques in order to get these devices (or pieces of them at the very least) functional for long enough to extract data from them. This requires a greater degree of planning and strategizing which, when combined with the time used to conduct necessary repairs, resulted in the data recovery process taking longer.Whilst it is rare for media to be as damaged as those in the examples provided, hard drives that have been exposed to excessive heat or that have been dropped will also require some repairs, with the data recovery process taking longer as a result.When a large amount of data needs to be recoveredWhilst it will usually take us longer to recover larger volumes of data, the difference is generally negligible unless the required procedure involves using metadata to rebuild files.Rebuilding files from metadata is a laborious process and, as each file needs to be rebuilt individually, the more data there is the longer it’ll take.Equally problematic when recovering files from media containing large amounts of data is that the drive will invariably need to begin spreading the individual pieces of data that form files across various locations making it harder for engineers to locate. When a piece of storage media is new, it will store data in a linear and logical fashion but, as it reaches its maximum capacity, it can no longer do this. Instead, it writes data to whatever locations are available and these must be found before files can be pieced back together.Can anything be done if a business urgently needs its data recovered? Yes, we can prioritise certain recoveries, though this will incur an additional fee and will need to be agreed prior to the data recovery process having started. 

In order to recover data from a failed media device, a number of tools and techniques can be used. The best course of action is determined by several factors, but the cause of data loss and the type of storage media are most likely to govern what processes are used in order to recover the data. Data recovery software Generally speaking, data recovery software is required when the storage media has suffered from logical damage. In other words, when the problem lies not with the media itself, but with something that has been done to it or the way it is reading the data stored on it. Typical examples of such problems include: ·         Deleted data; ·         Corrupt data; ·         Incorrectly formatted data. In such instances, data recovery software is used to ‘piece’ files back together by analysing metadata to identify which sectors of the media contain the data needed to reconstruct a file and putting it back together in order to restore it to working order. Hardware replacement If a piece of storage media has suffered from physical damage that has resulted in data becoming inaccessible, then it is almost certain that physical repairs of some kind will be required. If the media in question is a hard disk drive, this will involve removing the drive’s internal components from its housing. The platters onto which data is written and stored are, however, easily damaged. If even a microscopic particle comes into contact with one of a drive’s platters, it can damage the magnetic material on which data is stored. As a result, such repairs must be conducted within a sterile environment free from such harmful contaminants. All such repairs that are undertaken by Fields Data Recovery are therefore conducted in our state-of-the-art cleanroom. Once the device has been opened and the extent of the damage has been determined, we are then able to assess the best course of action going forward. Generally, the goal will be to temporarily restore the media to working order. Once this has been done, it will be possible to ‘clone’ or ‘image’ the drive and continue the process of recovering the data held on it. Time is of the essence at this stage and the data must be moved to a new drive or a disk image compiled as soon as possible. The longer a failing drive runs, the greater the likelihood of it failing permanently becomes. Retrieving the data from the device as quickly as possible is therefore our paramount concern at this stage of the recovery process. Following the data having been successfully retrieved, we can begin the process of rebuilding it. This can, if necessary, involve reconstructing partition tables or boot records in order to begin the process of returning existing files to a readable state. How Fields Data Recovery can help We’ve been recovering data for more than twenty years and from all types of storage media. If you’re data is recoverable, we can get it back for you. You can even get a rough idea of how much it’ll cost for you to get your data recovered with our price guide. Alternatively, you can find out exactly how much it’ll cost by taking advantage of our free data recovery diagnostic.  

We've all accidentally deleted files but doing so doesn’t mean they’re lost forever. There’ll be no means of accessing the data, but it will still exist until it’s been overwritten. Here’s why: Why permanently deleted data isn’t permanently deleted When files are removed from a Recycle Bin or similar facility, the space within which it is stored is simply marked as available. As a result, the data remains present within the media until it is written over by new data. Think of your storage media as a library. There’s only so much space and only so many books can be stored there as a result. Imagine if library policy dictated that unpopular books are to be replaced by alternative texts but, rather than remove the books from their inventory and their shelves, they immediately removed any reference to the relevant book from their inventory but kept it on the shelf until its replacement was available. The book would still exist, but any reference to its existence and location would no longer be available. This is not dissimilar to what happens when a file is deleted – the data still exists but the media’s controller removes any reference to the file’s location thereby earmarking the space where it is located as free and available for new data. The file therefore remains stored on the drive until it’s been replaced. How to recover permanently deleted files The first and most important thing that you should do after accidentally deleting a file you wanted to keep is prioritise the task of getting it back. As storing new data to a device risks overwriting the data and making it unrecoverable, it is vital that any activity that may result in you needing to store data ceases until the file has been recovered. Following this, there are a few things you can try to recover your file, specifically: A system restore Restoring your system to a previous point in time could provide a solution to your problem. Whilst this is only a feasible option on a PC or Mac, using System Restore in order to return your device to a point in time where the data you’ve accidentally deleted still exists is entirely possible. You can do this by using Window’s System Restore tool or, if you’re using a Mac, the Recovery Tool programme. Recovery software Whilst data recovery software could be used to restore your data there are two things we think everyone needs to know before trying it: recovery software can be difficult to use and, more importantly, installing it could result in your deleted data being lost forever. Remember, deleted data is only present until it’s overwritten with new data. By installing data recovery software, you’re running the risk of writing over the data you actually want to recover. The fuller your storage media is, the more likely it is that this will happen. A data recovery company Whilst more expensive than the options above, a data recovery company is undeniably your best bet for, well… recovering your data! You can even find out exactly how much it’ll cost to have your data recovered without spending a penny – all thanks to Fields Data Recovery’s free diagnostic. Conclusion If you’ve accidentally deleted an important file, it’s still going to be present in your storage media until it’s replaced by new data. As a result, you may be able to recover it by restoring your device to a previous point in time, with data recovery software or by enlisting the services of a data recovery provider. Just be sure to avoid saving new data to your storage media wherever possible until it’s been recovered. 

When we find ourselves needing to spend money in order to fix a problem – whether it be to repair a leaking pipe, a faulty car or anything else – we want to know how much it’s going to cost us. Data recovery is no exception. If we have a problem with a house, car, washing machine etc. we generally know who to contact for a quote. Recovering data from a failed hard drive, SSD etc. is a much more specific task, however, and knowing who to contact – and therefore the task of obtaining a quote – is far more problematic as a result. Equally concerning for those in need of such services is the fact that, whilst many of us have a rough idea of what will be required to repair most mechanical items, the kind of work that’s undertaken by data recovery engineers is a mystery to the majority of people. Because of this, Fields Data Recovery provide two unique services: our data recovery price guide, and a free diagnostic and data recovery quote. We recognise that a lack of transparency within this sector has resulted in many would-be-users being reluctant to pursue recovery services after losing their data. In response, we’ve provided these resources in order to enhance clarity, firstly by providing users with a tool that allows them to view the prices recent customers paid for similar recoveries and, secondly, to provide them with an accurate no-obligation quote. How our data recovery price guide works We maintain a record of all data recovery jobs we complete, including the fee we charge. By visiting our data recovery price guide and providing some basic information such as media type, operating system and storage size, users can view the prices three recent customers paid for similar recoveries. This gives users an approximate idea of how much it’ll cost for them to get their data back – but Fields Data Recovery can also tell them precisely how much it’ll cost. Our free data recovery diagnostic We also recognise that, once they have a rough idea of costs, people then want a precise quote. Therefore, we offer a completely free diagnostic. Our diagnostic will see engineers analyse the problem media and determine how best to recover the data. We then provide a no-obligation quote. If the user doesn’t like the price, we return their media to them – and all without charging them a penny. Conclusion It’s not only easy to find out exactly how much data recovery costs, but completely risk free, too. With Fields Data Recovery, you can get an approximate idea of how much it’ll cost you to get your data back and then get a precise quote following this. What’s more, as we don’t charge for our diagnostic service and return all media free-of-charge when people opt against using our services, there’s no reasons not to find our how much it’ll cost to get your data back. Interested? You can book a completely free data recovery diagnostic here.  

With each day that passes, data becomes an ever more valuable commodity (we know this all too well thanks to the urgency ascribed to RAID recoveries!). For businesses, it’s used daily to fulfil services and gain valuable insights into patters and trends. Outside of private enterprise, people like you and me use data for personal enjoyment daily. Sadly, the value of data – both personal and professional – is being leveraged by cyber criminals who know that there are people who would, if they were to lose it, do anything to get it back.It was this realisation that led to the birth of Ransomware, a computer virus that, once it’s infected a system, proceeds to encrypt the data stored there. Following this, a ransom is requested in return for the data to be decrypted, hence the term Ransomware.How Ransomware attacks workTypically, hackers rely on human error in order to infect a system with Ransomware. Phishing emails that mimic trusted service providers or other organisations and that contain a malicious link are tactics cybercriminals typically employ, for example. Whilst they are considerably rarer, more advanced types of Ransomware exploit flaws in security protocols and infect systems without needing to trick users.So how can I protect myself/my business from Ransomware attacks?Vigilance is key to preventing Ransomware from encrypting your data. Being mindful of the possibility of an email from a seemingly trusted source actually having come from a malicious individual and encouraging employees to do the same will go a long way towards preventing your system from being infected. Equally important is the need to keep your security protocols up-to-date and robust.Sadly, though, mistakes are inevitable and there’s nothing that can be done to ensure you’ll be immune to Ransomware. That said, you can prepare a contingency plan to minimise the damage.Backing up your data provides a solutionIt might not resolve all of the problems a Ransomware infection can cause (more on that later) but backing up your data to an unnetworked piece or pieces of storage media will mean that you’ll be able to restore any inaccessible data lost to Ransomware relatively quickly.Keeping this backup off your network is vital as, should your system become infected, this will ensure that your backup drive is unaffected by it.For companies, however, a backup alone will not be enough to negate all of the negative consequences of Ransomware, particularly one strain that leverages not just the value of companies’ data, but the importance they place on maintaining their reputations, too.Why Doxware is a bigger threat to companiesUnlike other types of Ransomware, Doxware does not encrypt files and offer a decryption key in exchange for a fee. Instead, they access potentially sensitive or confidential material (such as email conversations, patents, financial documentation etc.) and threaten to make it public unless a ransom is paid.This is potentially damaging for several reasons. Even if a company have backups of their data readily available, this will have no effect on the negative PR that will be generated from a data leak, with consumers certain to view their digital security to be ineffective. Further harm can come in the form of potentially insensitive or offensive email conversations that may have been had by employees. A significant fine (potentially even larger following the introduction of GDPR) is another threat to the health of an organisation’s bottom line.Sadly, there is no way of ensuring that any system is immune to this more sophisticated form of Ransomware. Keeping all security measures and procedures up-to-date has always been essential, of course, but it’s even more vital with Doxware being a tangible threat.Conclusion Ransomware is a nasty computer virus but, by regularly backing up your data and keeping your data security measures up-to-date and robust, you’ll be doing everything you can to prevent it from affecting you or your company.

Overheating is one of the most common causes of hard drive failure. Hard drives use motors to rotate their platters and, as they’re capable of turning them at speeds of as much as 15,000 revolutions per minute, heat is an inevitable by-product.Excess heat is bad news for hard drives. It can damage electrical components and, as it makes elements expand in size, can lead to the drive’s head coming into contact with its platters causing what is typically referred to as a ‘head crash’.Whilst overheating may regularly cause data loss, though, it’s entirely preventable. Here are our top tips for keeping your hard drive cool:Move your computer to improve air flowThis may be a low-tech solution, but it’s also very effective. A device that’s kept in a location where air can move around it freely is less likely to overheat than one that is kept in a confined environment.Fans keep internal components cool by removing the hot air that builds up inside and device and replacing it with cooler air from the surrounding environment. If the device is located within a confined environment, the fan is effectively forced to simply recirculate hot air meaning that your hard drive will constantly be operating within a hot environment.Be mindful of ambient temperatureA hard drive is more likely to overheat when it is being used in an already warm or humid setting. If you need to use your device on a particularly hot day, it’s worth remembering this and trying to minimise your usage accordingly. Speaking of which:Consider your usageIf you’re the type of user that regularly has several programmes and files open at once, you’re pushing your hard drive to its limit and, as a direct result, are increasing the likelihood of it overheating.When using your computer, consider whether you need to have so many things open at any one time. If you do, try and do what you need to do as quickly as possible.Monitor running temperaturesIf you have no option but to frequently push your hard drive to its limits for prolonged periods of time, you should consider installing programmes that will allow you to monitor its running temperature.A large number of free programmes are available online. Use these to monitor your drive’s temperature and, if it goes above 40 degrees ©, save your work and power down your machine.Clean your device’s ventsOver time, dust builds up in vents. This hinders both air flow and your fan’s ability to cool down your device’s internal components – including your hard drive.Simply get yourself a can of compressed air and use it to clear your device’s vents every month. Doing so will go a long way towards preventing your hard drive from overheating.Upgrade your cooling systemIf you’re a fan of cars, you’ll know that models that are designed for performance will include more advanced cooling systems. Manufacturers know that these models will be pushed harder and that this will mean that a better system will be needed to cool the engine and other components. So, if you’re using your computer intensively, you should consider upgrading it’s cooling system.Upgrading a PC’s cooling system will usually mean installing a more powerful fan or an advanced water-cooling system. The latter option is considerably more expensive but is also significantly more effective and, if you’re going to be using your PC for things like gaming or running other high-powered programmes, it’s an option you need to consider.But don’t forget to backupKeeping your hard drive cool will certainly help to keep your computer running smoothly and reduce the risk of data loss, but the importance of backing up your data to a separate piece of storage media cannot be understated.Backing up your data doesn’t need to be expensive, either. Yes, if you have Terabytes of data you need to protect, you’re going to need a piece of storage media capable of storing it but, if you’re able to identify your key files, you’d be surprised just how little a pen drive capable of storing a few 100 Gigabytes costs. So, keep your hard drive cool, but don’t forget to backup your data regularly or you might just find yourself shelling out for hard drive data recovery services.

When it comes to data storage media, should you go with the tried and tested or… the new (though actually, by now, pretty old) kid on the block?SSDs may utilise newer technology than hard disk drives – with many assuming they’re superior as a result – but each have their own advantages and drawbacks. So, the one that’s right for you will differ depending on how you’re likely to use it and which features you value most.So, here’s a list of things that anyone looking to purchase a new piece of storage media should consider coupled with a summary of how SSDs and HDDs compare:SpeedLike Usain Bolt in every single race he’s ever been involved in, this one was always going to be a foregone conclusion: SSDs win hands down.Hard drives use moving parts to read and write data making them slower than SSDs. Basically, if you’re using an SSD, you’ll find that your machine boots up more rapidly, your files load more quickly and saving data takes no time at all.Don’t go thinking this is like comparing a cheetah to a sloth, though. SSDs are definitely faster but HDDs still save and retrieve data quickly enough and the difference is unlikely to be noticed by anyone other than users that push their devices to the absolute limit.Verdict: SSDs are definitely faster than SSDs but you’ll only really notice the difference if you’re using your device to play games or other powerful programmes.ValueJust as the result of the speed round was a cast-iron certainty, so too is this one. As far as value-for-money is concerned, HDDs easily outdo SSDs by offering huge capacities for very little outlay.You can, for example, pick up a hard drive capable of storing 4TBs of data for less than £80. Spend a similar amount on an SSD and you’ll get a device with a capacity of around 120GBs, whilst a 4TB SSD would cost you upwards of £500.Winner: HDDs offer considerably greater value for money than storage devices using flash-technology.LifespanBoth HDDs and SSDs have limited lifespans, but for different reasons. HDDs are mechanical and their moving parts degrade over time. SSDs instead store their data in cells which, after they’ve had data written onto them a set period of times, will cease to function.The key difference here is that it’s actually possible to determine when an SSD will fail by analysing how it’s being used. As far as HDDs go, this can only be estimated.Whilst this may make it appear that HDDs will have a longer lifespan, it’s important to note that both devices are robust and should comfortably last for several years before they fail provided they aren’t used excessively.Verdict: it’s a draw this timeReliabilityNeither SSDs or HDDs are immune to failure and both are, to be completely honest, reliable devices. They are, however, also prone to the same problems.Power surges, physical trauma and human error are the most common reasons for data loss and these affect all types of storage media. With HDDs, though, there is one exception: head crashes.A head crash occurs when the read/write head of a hard drive comes into contact with its platters. Platters are basically disks coated in thin layer of metal and it is within this metal that data is stored. The head is supposed to be positioned just above the platters so, when it comes into contact with them, it damages their coating resulting in data loss.Verdict: as they can’t suffer a head crash, SSDs just edge it here.NoiseOk, for most people this will not be a concern but the whirring sound that emanates from HDDs can, I know first-hand, irritate some people.Plus, silence is taken to be a sign of luxury by some (think Rolls Royce making sure their car’s cabins are as quiet as possible) so we felt like it was worth adding that SSDs, thanks to their lack of moving parts, produce no sound whatsoever.Verdict: it’s a clear win for the SSD.ConclusionThe SSD edges its rival on performance and reliability and also produces no sound. HDDs, on the other hand, offer far more storage space for a lot less money.Ultimately, it boils down to what you want from your storage media. If you want value-for-money, choose an HDD. Alternatively, if you care about performance, you need an SSD. On the plus side, whichever device you choose, you know Fields Data Recovery will always be able to help if either fail!