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Data Recovery Faqs

How do I know if my hard drive is failing?
A failing hard drive can have several symptoms. The most common are odd noises such as clicking and/or scratching coming from the hard drive. Other symptoms can be degraded machine performance, random blue screens (Windows), failure to boot up properly, or Windows running the Check Disk program every time the system starts up.
Several things can cause failure. Most of the time it is caused just by mechanical failure. A mechanism in the drive just doesn't work any more. These can happen on their own, or by dropping the computer that the drive is in. Viruses and other malware cannot cause a drive failure, but they can cause file deletions.
Should I attempt to repair the hard drive myself?
The Data Recovery success rate is much greater when we get the hard drive at the first signs of trouble. The more a drive is used when it is in a compromised condition, the more damage is done. Try not to run the computer at all, but if you must - AVOID HIGH STRESS PROGRAMS SUCH AS CHECKDISK, DISK WARRIOR, DEFRAGMENTER, ETC! Running programs such as these will severely damage a disk that is in the failing stages.
I accidentally formatted my hard drive and/or deleted files that I didn't have backed up. Can I get those recovered?
Yes. Recovery is possible on deleted files and formatted disks, provided that the physical location of the file has not been written to again. For higher success rate of recovering a deleted file or formatted disk, stop using your computer and bring it in. The more you use it, the greater the chance of files getting overwritten. If files do get overwritten, recovery is impossible.
Is the recovery of the data guaranteed?
While we can recover data in most cases, it depends on the stage of physical damage to the drive. We do not have the facilities to repair a drive that is damaged to the point that it must be taken apart and completely rebuilt internally. However, we can send the drive to a clean room facility that we have partnered with to get a lowered rate. They handle the severely damaged drives that need to have internal repairs done before recovery can be completed.
 
hard drive illustration

Data Recovery

Location: 3057 BSRB
Hours: 7am–3:30pm, M–F
Rate: $80/hour
Questions: cdbdatarecovery@umich.edu

Data Recovery Request Form

The IT group of the Cell and Developmental Biology department in the Medical School has started a Data Recovery center in response to a perceived campus wide need.

We are setup to recover data from Mac, PC and Linux laptops and desktops. We should be able to recover data in most instances except in case of heavy physical damage to the drive. We can also recovery from other media (flash drives, memory cards, etc…), on a case by case basis.

We charge at an hourly rate of $80 for time actually spent on the computer (not elapsed time). If we cannot recover any data, there will be no charge.

Turnaround Time:

We will start working on your data within 1 to 2 business days. The amount of time it takes to recover data depends on the size of the hard drive, as well as on how much physical damage there is, therefore we cannot predict exactly how long the process will take.

After we get started and know a little bit more we will contact you to let you know how the process is going.

Location:

BSRB ImageWe are in the new BSRB building (Room 3057)
[Campus Map] [ Google Map ]

Payment:

We can accept shortcodes, checks (made out to "University of Michigan") and cash.

Media:

The preferred method for returning data is on an external hard drive that you supply. The alternate method is for us to burn it onto DVDs, but this method does take longer, which means additional labor charges. DVD media are $4/each.

Data Recovery Request Form

The information requested below is for informational purposes only, so we can get started with as much information as possible. Submitting this form does not bind you in any way, and is just meant as the first step in the data recovery process. Once we get this information we will contact you — there is no charge for the initial diagnosis. If we cannot recover any data, there will be no charge.

Name:
Email:
Uniqname:
Your Phone:
Installed OS :
File System:
Hard Drive Size:
(if known)
Missing files location:
(My Documents folder, etc.)
Intended Method
of Payment:
How did you hear about us?
Description of Problem:
What attempts have been made to recover data from this drive?
Even though most data recoveries brought to us are possible, due to the nature of failing hard drives, data recovery is not guaranteed and CDB Data Recovery Services is not responsible for any lost data. If we are not able to recover the data, we will notify you with available options.