Data recovery from water-damaged, dropped or burned devices
Every attempt you make can turn recoverable data into data that can no longer be recovered.
If your device fell into water, hit the ground or was caught in a fire, do not apply power and do not try to switch it on. Do not dry a wet device with a hairdryer or heater, and do not put it in rice. With physical damage, every attempt in the first hours can make the damage worse. We determine the extent of the damage through analysis and tell you clearly how much of the data can be recovered.
- Unplug the device immediately and remove the battery if it is removable.
- Wrap the device in a soft cloth and store it lying flat.
- If it fell into salt water or dirty water, tell us.
- Contact us without waiting; corrosion on wet electronic parts increases over time.
- Do not try to switch the device on or charge it.
- Do not dry it with a hairdryer, heater, oven or in the sun.
- Do not put it in rice or silica gel.
- Do not open or shake the device.
- If it was exposed to fire or smoke, do not wipe or clean off the soot.
Situation by type of damage
| Damage | What can happen? | What to watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Dropped in clean water | Short circuit, rust and corrosion on the board | Do not apply power; corrosion increases as time passes |
| Sea water or dirty water | Salt causes rapid corrosion | Contact us immediately and tell us about it |
| Drop or impact | Head and platter damage in a mechanical drive; board or connector damage in an SSD | Do not run it; if it clicks, switch it off |
| Fire and smoke | Heat can damage the board and platters, and soot can get inside | Do not clean it, bring it as it is |
| Power surge | Board or controller failure | Do not run it |
Why is immediate action important?
Oxidation and corrosion on wet electronic parts increase over time. When you switch the device on, short circuits can occur in the wet circuits and the board can be permanently damaged. With mechanical drives, every attempt made after an impact can cause the damaged heads to scrape the platter.
Does putting it in rice help?
No. Rice does not noticeably speed up drying, it does not stop corrosion and it can leave dust behind. It is better to bring the device to us as it is, without switching it on.
What is done in the lab?
First the type and extent of the damage are determined. If necessary, the board is repaired or replaced with a compatible part. If a mechanical part is damaged, the drive is opened in a Class 100 (ISO 5) clean environment. Then we check whether the data can be read, and the data is copied to a healthy disk.
How long does it take and how much does it cost?
Standard jobs take 10 business days on average, urgent jobs 24 business hours on average. The actual time depends on the type of fault, sourcing the parts needed and the capacity of the disk. Some jobs are completed within a few hours, while others can take months.
The price depends on the type of fault, the parts needed and the time the work takes. After the analysis we send you the exact price in writing. If you do not accept the quote, you get your device back without paying. Not every case falls within the free analysis scope. For requests outside the free analysis scope, you receive written information about the analysis fee before any work begins. For details, see what determines the price and how long it takes.
Can the data always be recovered?
No. If the platter surface is badly scratched, or the device has burned or stayed wet for a long time, some or all of the data may not be recoverable. We cannot know the outcome without carrying out an analysis. After the analysis, you will be informed about the situation.
Frequently asked questions
If a device that fell into water works after drying out, is everything fine?
The fact that it works does not mean the data is safe. Corrosion can progress later. If there is important data on it, back it up even while the device is working, and let us know about the situation.
What should I do if my dropped hard drive is making a clicking noise?
Switch it off and do not run it again. You can find the details on our clicking noise page.
Can data be recovered from a drive that was in a fire?
It depends on the extent of the damage. If the platters were not damaged, it may be possible. Bring the drive as it is, without cleaning it, and we will determine this through analysis. If it can be solved, we solve it.
Do I pay anything if I don't accept the quote?
No. If you do not accept the quote after the analysis, you get your device back without paying. In cases where it cannot be foreseen at which stage the data will become reachable, the price may be set after the data has been recovered, based on the time and resources spent on the work. In that case you are under no obligation to pay. Not every case falls within the free analysis scope. For requests outside the free analysis scope, you receive written information about the analysis fee before any work begins.
Why isn't free analysis available in every case?
For some requests a short assessment of the device is enough, and we can offer a free analysis. For other requests, our specialists can only reach an opinion or a result after spending many hours working on your device with professional tools. Because what we call the analysis stage involves carrying out the technical work that has to be done, we may not be able to offer those hours free of charge.
What do you do during the analysis?
During the analysis we actually start the professional technical work that needs to be done. Many businesses, on the other hand, say they offer a 'free analysis' to attract customers and get the device brought to them; once the device has been handed over, without spending any time on it, they say something like 'we will work on it; if it works it costs this much, if not, that much'. Having got customers to hand over their devices with the words 'free analysis', and since the customer will want the work to continue rather than go to the trouble of taking the device back, they put in no effort or time, which is how they can claim to offer a 'free analysis' in every case. In reality this is little more than a trap to attract customers.
Do you charge a service fee?
We do not charge anything under the name of a service fee. We do offer free analysis. For requests outside the free analysis scope, the analysis fee is communicated in writing at the start. Some businesses advertise with phrases like "600 TL data recovery service fee", leading customers to believe they will get their data recovered for 600 TL. That is how they attract customers. We do not work in such an unethical way.
Let's assess your situation together: call 0212 909 56 19 or write to us on WhatsApp. See our contact page for the address and opening hours.
If you are not sure what to do, call us first
Tell us about your situation and we will tell you what to do as a first step.