Data recovery
Deleted files, damaged file systems or a drive that is no longer detected – with careful analysis and an honest assessment.
Request data recoveryPhotos, documents, business records – losing data suddenly is stressful. I help with logical data loss using a careful, traceable approach. Success can never be guaranteed, but the right approach preserves your chances.
Important for mechanical damage: If a hard drive clicks, grinds or beeps, or has been dropped, do not switch it on again. Further attempts can make the damage worse. Physical damage requires a specialised data recovery lab with a clean room – I refer such cases there.
What I can help with
- Accidentally deleted files and folders
- Damaged or accidentally formatted file systems and partitions
- Drives that are electrically intact but no longer detected
- Problems with USB sticks, memory cards, SSDs and hard drives – as far as technically possible (on SSDs, deleted files are often unrecoverable due to internal clean-up functions)
- Recovery of damaged files
- Advice on backups, so it does not happen again
How data recovery works
- Problem description and intake: What happened, which drive, which data matters?
- Technical assessment of the damage: logical or physical?
- Review of possible recovery paths
- Safe analysis: on a copy (disk image) where possible, so the original stays unchanged
- Recovery attempt
- Verification of the recovered data and secure handover
Confidentiality
Your data remains your data. I only look at what is necessary for recovery and verification, do not pass anything on and delete copies after handover. Please do not send passwords or confidential files unprotected by email – we will clarify the details in person.
Frequently asked questions
Can you guarantee that my data will be recovered?
No – and nobody serious can promise that across the board. Only the analysis shows whether and how much can be recovered. I will tell you honestly what the chances are.
My hard drive is clicking or no longer detected. What should I do?
Switch the drive off immediately and do not switch it on again. Unusual noises indicate mechanical damage; every further start can destroy the data for good. Such cases require a specialised data recovery lab.
What happens to my private data?
It is treated confidentially, used only for the recovery and deleted after handover and your confirmation. We agree on the details before starting.
Should I try a recovery program myself?
Better not on the affected drive. Every write operation – including installing a program – can overwrite deleted data. Avoid using the drive until it has been analysed.
Get in touch by email
Describe your situation in your own words – no technical background needed. I will get back to you with an honest assessment.
Note: Please do not send passwords, sensitive data or confidential files unprotected by email. A short description of the problem is enough – we will clarify everything else in person.