Data Recovery

[andy-hughes]

I have a portable hard drive which went faulty three months after I bought it from PC World.

Unfortunately, I voided the warranty by having a tech friend see if he could salvage the data - OK, lesson learned.

I have returned it to PC World to get the data recovered, for the outrageous sum of £90.

I am wondering what the chances of recovery are?

I would imagine in 'recovery' terms it's simple - but would appreciate some advice from an expert, of which we have at least two on here.

The data consists of six Word Documents, and six PowerPoint presentations, and the drive is currently inaccessible, it will not power up.

Does this sound simple as a recovery task?

The reason I ask is that the turnaround means that I will get my new drive, hopefully with the data transferred to it, three days before I need it.

No problem if the data is there - bit of a struggle to update everything and get it all in one place again.

Any advice gratefully received, as always.

[andy-hughes]

I won't now, I don't think, but will let you know.

[maxfield034]

PC World is a recognized and reputed company and I am sure they will be able to retrieve your data from the hard drive.

Let's hope and keep your finger crossed. Let, us know, if they are able to recover your files or not.

Additional Tips: It is always sais that you must keep backup of your data in regular basis, you can use Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.

[andy-hughes]

Max PC World advised me that their 'Level One' failed at their £90 setting.

They offered to try 'Level Two' at £350, but I can re-write the material, it's not worth that much!

The drive is currently with a recovery guy who is having a look.

[maxfield034]

So, are you going to pay £350. I think it is too much.

[Peter Pedant]

I back up every two weeks with rotating USBs - I get a complete wipe out every five to seven years

[andy-hughes]

Maxfield - As I advised, I think £350 is too expensive for the recovery.

I am happy to pay a reasonable amount, £350 is not reasonable in my view, knowing the value of the data to me, and my willingness to loose it, reluctantly.

[murraymints]

do not give up on refund..store warranties are not the be all and end all.. you can claim that such an item has a reasonable expectation for lasting up to and beyond 12 months and claim for "not fit for purpose" trading standards via your local council can help..I have done so successfully on large electrical goods...

[andy-hughes]

Murraymints - My warranty issue occurs because the device has had its seal broken.

That gives the company the option to advise that any unauthorised working on the device could have caused its failure, so they are not bound to replace it, since their liability cannot be proven.

[andy-hughes]

As a final footnote - my local professional tekkie had a quick look and advised that since the drive will not power up, he is unable to access it and retrieve the data.

He has spoken to the deep data specialist recovery firm he deals with, they will have a look - for £700.

Re-writing is beckoning ...

[barry1010]

That's a shame, Andy - but you have learned a valuable lesson. If anything else goes wrong go straight to the retailer to get it sorted especially within the first six months. You were entitled to a full refund, repair or replacement.

[andy-hughes]

barry - // That's a shame, Andy - but you have learned a valuable lesson. If anything else goes wrong go straight to the retailer to get it sorted especially within the first six months. You were entitled to a full refund, repair or replacement. //

Lesson well and truly learned.

I was in a 'Catch 22' situation though, I needed the data recovered which would have incurred PC World's £90, and then they would have destroyed the drive.

Or, have my refund, and lose the data anyway, so with hindsight, it was worth the hit on the cost to hopefully get my data back, sadly that is not happening.

Never mind - not the end of the world.

[barry1010]

I would have argued that PCWorld should have tried the data recovery for free as part of the repair as the drive was only 3 months old. Failing that I would have tried claiming from the manufacturer, many provide a 'one attempt' free data recovery if the drive fails within the guarantee period.