When the hard drive works but the data is hiding

You made a mistake and deleted a bunch of files. You were a good boy or girl and backed up your data, but when the primary data storage failed and you tried to restore from the backup it didn't work. Or, maybe you just need to transfer data from one computer to another. Good reasons for calling Tech Support. We've got the tools and the experience to find data on failed (or sound) memory devices and move it from place to place.

We've got software that finds deleted files under almost any conditions. In almost every instance of missing data, if the hard drive still functions we can find the data and get it back to you.

If you just need to migrate data from place to place, we can either direct you to an easy do-it-yourself solution or do it for you.

There are two basic types of data recovery - one if the hard drive still physically works, and another if it doesn't. If the drive still works, you can expect to pay in the neighborhood of $100.00 to $200.00 for us to use a software package to get the data off the drive. If the drive is not physically working, it has to go to our lab for disassembly in a clean room and parts replacement from a donor drive to get it physically working again. Then it takes a lot of specialized work to get the data off. For easy jobs (get the drive working and data extracted without too much trouble) it can cost about $500.00 or so. But if the drive doesn't cooperate too well, it can cost up in the neighborhood of $1,500.00. We can do flash drives (also called thumb drive or USB drive), but they tend to need micro-soldering and other expensive time and are usually in the upper price level for repair.

Don't throw your computer out the window or beat it back into rocks with a sledge hammer. When you have a problem, stop and call us immediately. We can probably help prevent a lot of extra frustration. If we can't get your data back, we'll provide the sledge hammer. We've got a couple we use ourselves from time to time. It's fun, but definitely a last resort.

Remember: always have at least two backups or copies of your data. Especially if you have a laptop as your only computer. It's not IF your hard drives fail, it's WHEN. Hard drives are mechanical devices, and one hasn't been invented yet that won't ever stop working.

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When the hard drive has failed

Signs that your hard drive is failing: clicking, hissing or rapid low clicking like bacon frying, clunking, or random startup problems (sometimes it boots into the operating system and sometimes it doesn't).

The lab we use is one of the best in the business at opening up hard drives to dig out the data. This service is fairly reasonable considering the work involved, but can range from $400.00 or $500.00 up to $1,500.00 and more. It depends on the amount of data, whether it is encrypted, what exactly is wrong with the hard drive, and how easy it is to find donor drives (exact matches that have parts needed to repair the failed drive).

We can also work on flash drives, with pretty close to a 100% success rate in getting data off of these solid state drives. For many people our lab services might not be cost effective. But if the data is extremely important and irreplaceable, then Tech Support has the skills to help.

The Lab is a secure repair center complete with the most advanced test equipment and surface mount tools available. Motherboard service includes repair, modification, and replacement. We service laptop and PC motherboards, including capacitor replacement, integrated circuit replacements and DC power jack repair. We repair circuit boards at the component level, using only high quality parts. This ensures the board is returned to you with equal or higher quality components.

The lab at Tech Support is very good at repairing laptops too. Common interior problems are broken power connectors, broken displays, and shutting down when overheating. Other problems include DVD or hard drive failure and RAM failure. If the display has to be replaced it can cost $200.00 or more, but power connectors and some other problems are fairly economical at about $130.00. Hard drive replacement can cost as little as $200.00 with a fresh installation of the operating system and programs. DVD failure can be simply replacing the drive mechanism without opening it up or a little more complicated if we have to take it apart.

Warranty on repairs and reconditioned items from our lab is 120 days.

If your laptop has a problem, your personal Tech Support department has the solution.