Hard Drive Data Recovery Cost

Data is sacred in this age of information technology. Data storage devices like hard drives and USB flash drives are not exactly immune to loss of data or corruption of files. When you lose data and have made the big mistake of not backing up your data, what you need is a hard drive data recovery software. Loss of important data can give you sleepless nights. It is wise to have a regular incremental software backup on a separate drive to prepare for such an emergency. Also ensure that you setup a system restore point that can help you in case of a system crash.

How Does Hard Drive Data Recovery Work

The hard drive repair and recovery mechanism is different according to the kind error that has led to loss of data. These errors can be of two types and the data recovery techniques to deal with them are different. Namely, a logical (software level) error or an error due to physical damage.

The first one is easier to deal with, while the second one is not. A corruption of files stored in certain sectors can be dealt with scanning and repair tools. However, a case of physical damage requires advanced tools for repair and recovery. Depending on the type of scale of repair required, the cost of data recovery will vary.

Hard Drive Data Recovery Cost Estimate

As far as recovery of data on a hard drive is concerned, there are two ways in which you can get help. You could either buy a specialized software for the purpose, or go to a professional company that carries out such data recovery jobs. The software option will cost you less, compared to professional help. A software that can carry out hard disk recovery may cost anywhere between $40 to $150. Check out the software reviews before buying it. Such programs can deal with most of the corrupted file problems, which periodically keep cropping up. On of the best rated programs is Digital Rescue Premium, which costs about $50.

However, if your drive is physically damaged and not even accessible any more, you will have to take help from professionals. Typically these specialized services will first evaluate the problem and then provide you with an estimate of repair cost. Some quote a price according to the amount of data that will have to be recovered.

These services will cost you anywhere between $200 to upwards of $1000 depending on the size of data to be recovered. For example, Disk Doctor is a service that will charge you around a $1000 for about a 500 GB of data recovery. You will typically have to supply an additional hard drive for storing the recovered data.

Don't fall for companies which give you exorbitant cost estimates without evaluating your problem. First try out if a hard drive data recovery software works for you. In most cases of software level errors, they will work. However, in case of mechanical or electronic failure, you may have to hand the drive over to a professional who can repair and recover your data using advanced tools. Research extensively, before opting for hard drive data recovery service to get the best cost.