Buy a new drive or recover the data?
Every attempt you make can turn recoverable data into data that can no longer be recovered.
Buying a new drive does not bring back the data on the faulty one. If the data is backed up elsewhere, replacing the faulty drive is enough. If there is no backup and the data is valuable to you, the right order is to recover the data first and then buy a new drive. Running the faulty drive again and again can take that option away.
Decision table for your situation
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| There is an up-to-date backup of everything | Buy a new drive and restore from the backup |
| There is a backup, but it is old | Check what would be missing even with the backup; if the missing data is valuable, consider recovery |
| No backup, the data is valuable | Data recovery first, then a new drive |
| No backup, the data is unimportant | You can buy a new drive and start from scratch |
Before you try copying to a new drive
Running a program to clone or copy the faulty drive to a new one puts strain on a drive with a head fault or a firmware/software fault and can make the fault worse. If the drive is making noises or the copy will not start, stop. For details, see our clicking noise page and our software or lab page.
What should you do with the faulty drive?
- Stop using it.
- Label it and keep it somewhere safe; do not throw it away.
- Do not install or write anything new on it.
- Until you decide, check whether there is a backup copy.
Cost and decision
Where a physically faulty drive requires a donor drive, data recovery is usually more expensive than a new drive, because the donor drive is used up. The decision depends on how much the data is worth to you: if photos, documents or work files cannot be recreated, the cost of recovery is often worth it. We explain how the price is determined on our prices page.
So it does not happen again
Keeping data in two separate places, with at least one copy in a different location, is the most reliable method. The common form of this is the 3-2-1 rule: three copies, two different media, one copy somewhere else. Using RAID or a NAS is not a substitute for a backup; for details, see our RAID page.
Frequently asked questions
My old drive works but it is slow. Should I replace it?
Slowing down can be the first sign of failure. Back up the data first, then replace the drive. If the drive has started making noises, switch it off.
If I fit a new drive, can I get to my old data?
No. A new drive is empty. Your old data exists only on the faulty drive or in your backup.
What should I do before throwing away a faulty drive?
Make sure the data is somewhere else. If there is valuable data on it, do not throw it away. If you wish, you can also use our service for permanently destroying the data on the device.
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.
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.