Data recovery
Photos, documents and files off a drive that will not cooperate.
How it works.
Recovery from failed and failing drives, deleted files, and computers that will not start but still have everything on them.
Stop using the drive and get it to me — continuing to use a failing disk is what turns a recoverable problem into an unrecoverable one.
I will tell you honestly what the chances are before you commit to anything.
What’s included.
- An honest assessment of the odds before you commit to anything
- Recovery from failed and failing drives, deleted files, and machines that will not start
- Whatever comes back handed over on something you keep
- A straight answer when it is beyond what I can do, and who to go to instead
When you don’t need this
If the machine simply will not start but the drive is healthy, that is usually a repair rather than a recovery, and considerably cheaper.
What people ask.
The drive is making a clicking noise. Can you still get the files?
Clicking usually means physical failure, and that is the point to stop using it entirely — every further attempt reduces what can be recovered. Sometimes I can get it; sometimes it needs a specialist lab with a clean room, and I will tell you which rather than experiment with your photos.
What does it cost if you cannot recover anything?
You get told the odds before I start, and if it is hopeless I will say so up front rather than after a bill. I would rather lose the job than charge for a rummage.
Other things I do.
PC diagnostic & repair
Find out what is actually wrong, then fix it.
- A full look at what the machine is actually doing, not a guess from the symptoms
- A written price before any work starts, and no work without your say-so
Speed up my PC
For machines that take five minutes to think about opening a browser.
- Finding out which of the three usual culprits it actually is: the drive, the startup load, or genuinely not enough memory
- Clearing what is starting up in the background that should not be
Virus scan + total backup
Clean the machine, and get your files somewhere safe.
- A full clean of viruses, malware and the browser hijackers that reinstall themselves in every browser
- Your files backed up as part of the job, not offered as an extra
Been hacked?
Accounts recovered, machine cleaned, everything locked back down.
- Getting you back into the accounts you have lost access to
- The machine collected and cleaned properly at the workshop, then returned
Screens, batteries & parts fitted
Cracked screens, dying batteries, worn-out parts replaced.
- Sourcing the right part for the machine you actually have, including older kit
- The part priced and agreed before I order anything
New PC home setup + teaching
New computer set up properly, and shown to you properly.
- Everything moved across: files, photos, email, printers, bookmarks and passwords
- The pre-installed rubbish removed and the machine set up the way you want it
No surprises on the bill.
Data recovery — From £99, agreed before I start. Where parts are needed they're quoted before fitting, and if it isn't worth doing, I'll say so.
Call 07971 331814Or send me a message
I answer everything myself, usually the same day. Leave a phone number or an email — whichever suits you.