Most of the time, when a drive reads as RAW, a card shows an error or files will not open, the data itself has not been harmed; only the structure around it is broken. We rebuild corrupted file systems and restore broken files from hard disks, SSDs, memory cards and USB sticks, all with our own equipment.
When you plug in an affected drive, Windows will typically offer to repair or format it. Do neither. Tools such as chkdsk write to the drive while trying to fix issues, moving or discarding some of your information in the process, and formatting wipes the file table completely; either can push a recoverable drive over the edge. Leave chkdsk and fsck alone, don’t format, and if there are any strange noises coming from the drive, turn it off immediately and contact us first.
Almost all corruption affects the framework surrounding your data, not the data itself. That is why so much of it can be recovered. These are by far the most common causes we see.
We tackle corruption on all types of storage and from all the major makers, so if your files are on it, there is a good chance we can help.
The disks inside laptops, PCs and Macs; hard drives and SSDs; external and portable units; and flash of all kinds — USB sticks, SD, microSD and CF.
We do not change anything on your original device directly. First we image the device, next we rebuild the file system on that image, and only then do we repair and extract the files themselves: copy first, carefully, in that order.
Describe what is broken and the device it is on. We determine whether the fault lies in the file system, in individual files or in failing hardware, and then send a written quote, usually within 48 hours.
We copy your device to a forensic image and every subsequent step runs against that image, so your original device is never altered and a weak drive does not have to work any harder.
On that image we rebuild what was damaged: we replay or repair the journal, reconstruct the $MFT or FAT tables and relink orphaned and cross-linked clusters, and your folders and files return.
A damaged file gets its container fixed, such as a broken ZIP or Office directory, a JPEG’s restart markers or a database page index. When repair is impossible, we extract the good data by its signature instead.
Nothing comes back untested: each file is opened and validated against its internal format and checksums, so what you receive opens properly and you won’t pass along corrupted data.
Your results are delivered on new storage, already organised and ready to go.
The new media is posted back to you, or the recovered data is offered as a free download for up to 75GB.
Whether you have a corrupt file system or one or several damaged files, on hard drives, SSDs, external units, USB sticks or memory cards, we restore the file structure and either repair the files or carve them out, always working from a forensic copy.
Tell us what’s corrupt and we’ll get back to you, usually within a working day.
We’ll be in touch shortly. If it’s urgent, call 01483 901310.
There are no hidden fees and no hard sell: a free diagnostic and a written quote come before any work starts.
Several recent examples of corruption on various devices. Details have been removed to protect our customers’ identities, and every result was verified.
The NTFS volume became corrupted during a power cut. From a full image we rebuilt the file system using its own structures and returned the folder tree intact.
It was removed mid-write, and its file system was corrupted. We reconstructed the file system and recovered photos and videos that the camera itself would not read.
Unsafe removal corrupted the file system. Working on a forensic image, we repaired the file system and every file was returned intact.
Simply send your device to us for a free diagnostic and describe briefly what happened. An engineer will review it and confirm your exact quote in writing before any work begins.
The first step to getting your data back is sending the device to us. Pack it safely, put your contact details inside the package and send it in. Once we have completed the free diagnostic, we will confirm the exact cost in writing before any work starts.
Sending it by post? We’d recommend a tracked, insured service. Dropping it in? No problem: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. Please package the device as described above first.
Would you like more information first? Complete the form with further details about your issue, and one of our engineers will review it and send you a tailored quote.
We’ll be in touch shortly. If it’s urgent, call 01483 901310.
What do most people want to know about recovering corrupted files and drives?
In most cases, yes. What corruption usually damages is the structure surrounding your files (the journal, the $MFT or a container header) rather than the content itself. Once we rebuild or repair that structure on a read-only copy, or carve the good data straight out, the files reappear.
Almost certainly not dead; it simply isn’t readable because of a corrupt boot sector or a scrambled $MFT. Windows doesn’t recognise the file-system type, so it calls the volume RAW and prompts you to format it. Don’t do it. Let us rebuild the correct structures on a copy and the contents should come back.
We strongly recommend you don’t. Chkdsk and similar tools write their fixes directly to a disk that is probably already compromised. They move data about, discard anything they cannot reconcile and put weak heads under further stress, so what could have been recovered easily often ends up much harder to recover, if it can be recovered at all. Leave it until we have imaged it.
Almost always. Problems with memory cards are among the most common issues we see, and they usually happen when a card is removed while it is still writing. After rebuilding the card’s file system, we can extract the photos and video, even if the camera or phone no longer reads the card.
Power cuts and improper shutdowns are the main culprits, closely followed by drives or cards pulled out mid-write. Failing sectors, crashing software and interrupted transfers also play their part.
Not necessarily. Corruption from a single power cut is generally logical, and once repaired, all will typically be fine again. Recurring corruption, with files spoiling and sectors failing, is the worry, because it usually indicates a drive in decline. That is why we image such drives as soon as possible and recover from the copy.
There are two levels of pricing, plus VAT: £250 for cards and USB sticks, and £300 for hard drives, with a free diagnostic first. In most cases you only pay if we recover your data. If failing hardware turns out to be the cause, we would give you any higher price in writing before going ahead.
The disks inside laptops, desktop PCs and Macs; standalone hard drives and SSDs; external and portable drives; and every kind of flash media, from USB sticks to SD, microSD and CF cards. If your files are on it, chances are we can help you recover them.
Typically one to three working days, often quicker, and the diagnostic report is usually ready within 48 hours. If it’s a time-critical job, just let us know so we can prioritise your case.
Either visit our unit in Guildford on a weekday (9am to 5:30pm) or send the drive by fully insured post. Seal it up with your full contact details inside, including your name, address, phone number and email, so we can book it in. Once it reaches us, and before any work is carried out, you receive a free diagnostic and then a written quote for the work.
A free diagnostic and corruption recovery from any drive, stick or card, and in most cases you only pay if we recover your data. Don’t reach for the repair tools; begin your recovery today.