Data Recovery Blog

Losing important data is a common issue that most of us face. Whether it's due to mistakenly deleting a file, a computer virus, or a hardware failure, losing vital data is frustrating and can cause a significant amount of stress. Fortunately, deleting data doesn't always mean it's lost forever. There are ways to recover deleted data, and in this post, we'll take a look at how you can do it. 1. Check your Recycle Bin The first place you should look for deleted data is the Recycle Bin. When you delete files on your computer, they are often moved to the Recycle Bin. If it's still in the bin, you can simply restore it by right-clicking on the file and selecting "Restore." If the Recycle Bin has been emptied, don't worry, there are still other ways to recover your data. 2. Use Data Recovery Software Data recovery software is a quick and easy way to recover deleted data. These programs are designed to scan your hard drive and find any deleted files that can be recovered. Some popular data recovery software options are EaseUS, Recuva, and Disk Drill. These programs are user-friendly and don't require any technical knowledge to use. 3. Restore from Backup Backing up important data is crucial, especially if you're working on important projects. Restoring data from a backup is one of the easiest ways to recover deleted data. Just make sure to regularly backup your important data, so you can quickly restore it if something goes wrong. 4. Check Cloud Storage If the data you're looking to recover was saved to cloud storage, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, check to see if it's still available there. Cloud storage services typically save multiple versions of files, so you can easily restore deleted data. You can also check your cloud storage's trash or recycle bin to see if the file is still recoverable. 5. Get Professional Help If you're unable to recover your data using the above methods, it might be time to seek professional help. Fields Data Recovery is there to help you get your lost data back. Contact us today for our no data no fee recovery service and take the first step towards retrieving your valuable data. Conclusion: Losing important data can be frustrating, but there are ways to recover deleted files. Checking the Recycle Bin, using data recovery software, restoring from a backup, checking cloud storage, and seeking professional help are all methods you can use to recover lost or deleted data. Remember to always backup your important data, so you can easily restore it if something goes wrong.

Have you ever been in a situation where you try to access a file on your computer, only to find out that your hard drive has crashed? This can be a frustrating and stressful experience, especially if you haven't backed up your files. A hard drive crash can happen at any time, and it's essential to understand the reasons behind it. In this blog post, we're going to discuss the top five reasons why your hard drive crashes and what you can do to prevent it. 1. Physical Damage Physical damage is one of the leading causes of hard drive crashes. Dropping your laptop or knocking your computer tower over can cause irreparable damage to your hard drive. The best way to prevent physical damage is to handle your computer with care and avoid taking it to places where it can be easily damaged. 2. Power Surges Power surges can occur when there is a sudden increase in the flow of electricity to your computer. This can happen due to lightning strikes or power outages. Power surges can cause significant damage to your hard drive and other components of your computer. It's essential to invest in a good surge protector that can safeguard your computer against sudden power surges. 3. Computer Viruses Computer viruses can cause damage to your files as well as your hard drive. They are malicious programs that can make their way into your computer through email attachments, downloads, and other means. The best way to prevent computer viruses is to install a reliable antivirus program and regularly scan your computer for any potential threats. 4. Overheating Overheating is another common cause of hard drive crashes. A lot of heat is generated inside a computer due to its many components. If the cooling system in your computer is not working correctly, it can cause components to overheat and malfunction. It's important to ensure that your computer's cooling system is working correctly and to keep your computer in a well-ventilated area. 5. Age Hard drives have a limited lifespan, and eventually, age catches up with them. After several years of use, hard drives can become worn out, and components can start to fail. You can prolong the lifespan of your hard drive by regularly backing up your files and replacing it before it’s completely worn out. Conclusion: Understanding the reasons behind hard drive crashes can help you take steps to prevent them from happening. Always remember to handle your computer with care, invest in a good surge protector, install reliable anti-virus software, and keep your computer cool. Lastly, don't forget to back up your files regularly and replace your hard drive before it's too late. By doing these simple things, you can protect your valuable data and ensure that your computer runs smoothly for many years to come. If you are struggling to access your data due to a corrupt hard drive, Fields Data Recovery is there to help you get your lost data back. Contact us today for our no data, no fee recovery service and take the first step towards retrieving your valuable files and memories!

The price of SSDs has been unprecedently low in recent months with sales of the flash-based storage spiking as a result. We’ve seen the effects of this in our data recovery lab recently: the steady growth of SSD data recovery jobs we’ve witnessed over the past few years gathered pace towards the end of 2018, and continued into 2019. This trend, though, may not continue if recent reports are to be believed.In the middle of July 2019, various sources started suggesting that the cost of NAND flash memory was set to increase by between 10 and 15%. The cost of NAND is known to fluctuate regularly, with falling demand coupled with increased production having led to a drop in price last year.It would seem that this fall in price resulted in increased demand and that this is now going to result in the cost of NAND flash memory, and also SSDs, increasing.Additionally, reports have indicated that DRAM modules are going to become more expensive, meaning that the cost of RAM is likely to increase, too.In short, the cost of memory and flash-based storage is expected to increase in the coming months. It should be added that this has not been confirmed and is by no means guaranteed. Nevertheless, if you’ve been planning on investing in an SSD or some extra RAM. Now might be the time to do it.The difference between memory and storagePerhaps you’re looking at the previous paragraph and think we’ve made a mistake. After all, the terms memory and data storage are often interchangeable. This, though, is inaccurate.Storage is, literally, where we store all of our files. Memory is what is used to display them and any changes we make in real-time. Whenever we save or open a file, we’re using our device’s storage media. When we’re then editing the file, we’re using our device’s memory. An SSD is a piece of storage media whereas RAM is memory. Both are vital to the way our devices function, but for very different reasons.Will this make other technology more expensive?We’d presume that it will. RAM is used in most computing devices and flash-memory (which always uses NAND) is present in virtually all mobile devices as well as many laptops and desktops.Only time will tell but, should DRAM modules or NAND memory become more expensive, it’s only rational to assume that the cost of the devices that use them will also increase.

We regularly recover accidentally deleted data here at Fields. Usually, though, we’re trying to retrieve the odd file – not the entire contents of a hard drive. Still, if you’ve wiped your hard drive and really wish you hadn’t, it’s entirely possible that your data can be recovered. Why a wiped hard drive can be recovered When data is deleted from a hard drive, it’s not erased. Instead, the locations of the bytes that form the document, MP3 file etc. are removed meaning the data itself still exists. It’s location, however, is marked as being free and will be erased as soon as a single one of these bytes is overwritten with new data. So, if you have accidentally wiped your hard drive, time is of the essence. Refrain from using the drive and get in touch with a company providing hard drive recovery services as soon as possible. Why isn’t data erased permanently when it’s deleted? In a word: efficiency. The process of removing any reference to the locations of the bytes that form a file is extremely quick whereas erasing the data completely is a much lengthier process. If, for example, you deleted a file that took up 5GBs of storage space, erasing it could take several minutes rather than a few seconds. Plus, as an added bonus, this means that anyone that accidentally deletes a file they want to keep has an opportunity to get it recovered. Can I recover accidentally deleted data with software? Technically, yes: you can recover deleted date with software – but we wouldn’t recommend it. Data recovery software is not designed for the layperson – it needs to be operated by someone with appropriate training as it’s often necessary to use metadata to reconstruct deleted files and return them to working order. This is a complicated task and it should really be performed by a professional. Is this true of all storage media? Afraid not. Flash-based memory – typically found in SSDs and mobile devices like smartphones and tablets – must erase data before new information can be stored in the same location. So, if you’ve accidentally deleted data from one of these devices, we’re sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your data won’t be recoverable. But what if I want to permanently delete sensitive data? If you don’t want to sell your drive on, you can simply physically destroy it. This isn’t absolutely guaranteed to erase all of the data contained on it but it makes the data recovery process so difficult and laborious that only the most skilled and experienced technicians would even know where to begin. If you do wish to sell on your drive and need to ensure that everything on it has been erased, there’s software and hardware than can completely erase all of the data held on a hard drive. Conclusion Data can be recovered from a wiped hard drive provided the user acts quickly and stops using the drive the moment they realise they’ve made a mistake. If someone wants to securely erase all of the data held on a hard drive, this is entirely possible. Sadly, if a user has accidentally deleted data held on a piece of storage media using Flash, their data is, indeed, permanently deleted.  

So, you’re in need of data recovery services and, like any sensible businessperson, you want to know how much it’s going to cost so that you can consider how it’ll affect your bottom line. Hey, we don’t blame you. In a perfect world we’d all know how much something was going to cost and be able to gauge the value of the investment beforehand. Data recovery can be required because key data that is vital to a business’s day-to-day activities has been lost and, when this is the case, the cost is almost irrelevant as the data must be recovered. In other situations, however, data is lost that is assumed to have some value but it’s exact worth is not fully known or understood. When the latter situation applies, the lack of transparency concerning the cost of actually recovering the data makes it difficult to determine whether or not doing so would be fiscally sensible. Of course, if data recovery experts were able to offer their services for a fixed-price, this problem would be negated. There are, however, a number of factors that need to be considered before it’s possible to determine how long the recovery will take, the manpower that the recovery will require, the tools and techniques that will need to be utilised and so on. This means that, before the media has been analysed, the problem identified, and a solution determined, it is simply not possible to state how much the recovery will cost. But what if there was a way to get a fixed-quote without any initial spend? Here’s how you can get a fixed-price quotation for data recovery services If the situation we’ve described above sounds all too familiar, we have some very, very good news: we offer a data recovery diagnostic service completely free-of-charge! Yes, we’ll perform a diagnostic on your failed media, determine if your data can be recovered and, following, this, will provide you with a fixed-quote for our data recovery services. We’ll even provide you with a file list of all of the recoverable data contained on your media so you’ll know exactly what you’ll get back. Equally important is the fact that the quote we provide is 100% free of obligation. If you don’t want the recovery to go ahead, you can simply request that your media be returned to you. This means that you can determine whether or not this fee represents a worthwhile investment and make your decision accordingly. So, if you lose data, you no longer need to guess whether or not it’s worth investing in data recovery services. You can find out exactly how much it’ll cost to get your data back and you’ll be able to work out whether or not it’s a worthwhile investment. After all, good business decisions are based on facts, not assumptions! In order to get your fixed-price data recovery quote, you can book a diagnostic through our website or call our team directly on 02078 626 349. 

The head crash is, amongst those operating within Information Communication Technology at least, truly infamous. It’s one of the most common causes of hard drive failure and data loss. As a result, it’s both despised and feared by IT professionals and expert data recovery technicians in equal measure.]But just what exactly is a head crash? Well, before we explain, we’ll need to provide a bit more information about how hard drives work.How hard drives workHard drives store data by using components called read/write heads to record data onto a separate part of the drive known as ‘platters. The heads write either a one or zero onto microscopic sectors of these platters by magnetizing or demagnetizing them. The sectors that contain the data that comprise a file are then recorded by the drive and, when the file is opened, the read/write head reads what is stored in these sectors and the file is opened.So, the key takeaways here are that all data is stored in a hard drive’s platters and that this data is both written to and retrieved from these platters via the drive’s read/write head.So, what is a head crash exactly?You’ve probably already realised that a head crash will involve both a drive’s read/write head (the clue’s in the name) and its platters, but it’s how these two elements interact with one another when a head crash occurs that make it such a potentially catastrophic occurrence.A head crash occurs when a hard drive’s read/write head comes into contact with its platters. Usually, these are held just a few millimetres above these discs but, whether due to a mechanical failure or damage to internal components, they can come into contact with the platters – and data loss is an almost inevitable result.Platters are coated in a thin film of a material that can be magnetized or de-magnetized and it is within this coating that data is stored. When a drive’s head touches the platter, it strips this coating away – taking the data that was stored there with it. This is often made worse by the fact that users – unaware of the possible reason why their drive is failing to boot up – continuously try and try to access their files after a head crash has taken place, with the head stripping away more and more of this coating in the process.Identify a head crash and minimise the damage If your hard drive is making a grinding sound or spinning frequently without actually booting up, it’s possible it’s suffered from a head crash. Power it down immediately to prevent extensive data loss and book a free data recovery diagnostic with us ASAP!

We’ve discussed how computer viruses can bring about data loss previously, but this is just one of the drawbacks of having an infected machine. Reduced performance, irritating popups and – in the worst-case scenario – financial loss are all possible when a device is infected by an insidious programme. For several years, this has resulted in many consumers who falsely believed that Macs could not be infected by viruses opting for these devices over PCs.Sadly, this is – as we’ve alluded previously – a myth. The operating systems used by Macs have flaws that hackers can exploit – leveraging them is simply less profitable when compared to Windows.Why we all thought Macs couldn’t get virusesWhen Windows became the operating system of choice, it was only logical that nefarious individuals would target such systems. In particular, the vast majority of commercial entities elected to purchase devices running Microsoft’s OS, effectively making it the target of choice for hackers. It is here, after all, that the money is, and financial gain is a hacker’s ultimate goal.So, in short, Macs have long been perceived as being ‘immune’ to computer viruses because few viruses were developed that targeted their operating system. As they have grown in popularity, however, this has changed.What type of viruses can infect Macs?With Macs having grown in popularity amongst home and commercial users (particularly within the creative industries), viruses exploiting flaws in their operating system have become far more commonplace.Mac users can find their devices infected with malware, trojan horses, spyware and any other computer virus you can think of. Apple’s claim that their devices were immune to infections was never true but, these days, it’s easily disproved. Yes, their operating system is widely believed to be more secure than Windows, but it’s also true that more and more IT professionals are encountering infected Macs than ever before. Fields Data Recovery are no different: we’ve seen more Macs that have lost data because of viruses over the last two years than we had in the previous 18 combined.How viruses can cause data loss on a MacViruses can render data inaccessible for any number of reasons but the most common are it having been encrypted via malware or that the device has failed in its entirety because of the infection. Fortunately, we’re usually able to recover data from Macs when it’s been lost under these circumstances, but data loss – whilst so often highly damaging – pales in comparison to the worst possible outcome for anyone whose device is infected with a virus.Cybercrime continues to become more of an issue for businesses, public bodies, charities and individuals alike and there are no signs of it abating. Whatever device you may use, the need to be vigilant; to refrain from downloading anything from sources you don’t recognise; to keep any anti-virus software you have up-to-date; to remain mindful of the threat hackers pose. Doing so will not guarantee your device is immune to infections, but it will certainly help.But what can I do if I have lost data because of a virus? Get in touch with Fields Data Recovery! We offer a completely free, no-risk data recovery diagnostic: we’ll determine precisely why your data’s been lost, work out the best means of recovering it and provide you with a no-obligation quote. Decline the quote, and we’ll return your media to you absolutely free-of-charge.

Data has, over the last two decades, come to play a vital role in many businesses' day-to-day activities. So, when a business requires data recovery services, they usually need the job done as quickly as possible. It should come as no surprise, then, to hear that stakeholders are nigh-on always extremely keen to know just how quickly we can recover their data.On average, we complete data recovery jobs within two business days. There are, however, several factors that can affect these timeframes. Here are the most common:Severely damaged mediaThe process of recovering data from storage media that has suffered significant physical damage is inevitably more time-consuming. Whereas most media will require minor repairs before we can begin the process of retrieving data from it, media that has been subjected to significant damage will require more extensive work before we can begin the recovery process.We have, for example, previously recovered data from fire-damaged servers, hard drives that have spent days in salt water and USB sticks that have been, literally, run over. In each case, we needed to utilise atypical techniques in order to get these devices (or pieces of them at the very least) functional for long enough to extract data from them. This requires a greater degree of planning and strategizing which, when combined with the time used to conduct necessary repairs, resulted in the data recovery process taking longer.Whilst it is rare for media to be as damaged as those in the examples provided, hard drives that have been exposed to excessive heat or that have been dropped will also require some repairs, with the data recovery process taking longer as a result.When a large amount of data needs to be recoveredWhilst it will usually take us longer to recover larger volumes of data, the difference is generally negligible unless the required procedure involves using metadata to rebuild files.Rebuilding files from metadata is a laborious process and, as each file needs to be rebuilt individually, the more data there is the longer it’ll take.Equally problematic when recovering files from media containing large amounts of data is that the drive will invariably need to begin spreading the individual pieces of data that form files across various locations making it harder for engineers to locate. When a piece of storage media is new, it will store data in a linear and logical fashion but, as it reaches its maximum capacity, it can no longer do this. Instead, it writes data to whatever locations are available and these must be found before files can be pieced back together.Can anything be done if a business urgently needs its data recovered? Yes, we can prioritise certain recoveries, though this will incur an additional fee and will need to be agreed prior to the data recovery process having started. 

In order to recover data from a failed media device, a number of tools and techniques can be used. The best course of action is determined by several factors, but the cause of data loss and the type of storage media are most likely to govern what processes are used in order to recover the data. Data recovery software Generally speaking, data recovery software is required when the storage media has suffered from logical damage. In other words, when the problem lies not with the media itself, but with something that has been done to it or the way it is reading the data stored on it. Typical examples of such problems include: ·         Deleted data; ·         Corrupt data; ·         Incorrectly formatted data. In such instances, data recovery software is used to ‘piece’ files back together by analysing metadata to identify which sectors of the media contain the data needed to reconstruct a file and putting it back together in order to restore it to working order. Hardware replacement If a piece of storage media has suffered from physical damage that has resulted in data becoming inaccessible, then it is almost certain that physical repairs of some kind will be required. If the media in question is a hard disk drive, this will involve removing the drive’s internal components from its housing. The platters onto which data is written and stored are, however, easily damaged. If even a microscopic particle comes into contact with one of a drive’s platters, it can damage the magnetic material on which data is stored. As a result, such repairs must be conducted within a sterile environment free from such harmful contaminants. All such repairs that are undertaken by Fields Data Recovery are therefore conducted in our state-of-the-art cleanroom. Once the device has been opened and the extent of the damage has been determined, we are then able to assess the best course of action going forward. Generally, the goal will be to temporarily restore the media to working order. Once this has been done, it will be possible to ‘clone’ or ‘image’ the drive and continue the process of recovering the data held on it. Time is of the essence at this stage and the data must be moved to a new drive or a disk image compiled as soon as possible. The longer a failing drive runs, the greater the likelihood of it failing permanently becomes. Retrieving the data from the device as quickly as possible is therefore our paramount concern at this stage of the recovery process. Following the data having been successfully retrieved, we can begin the process of rebuilding it. This can, if necessary, involve reconstructing partition tables or boot records in order to begin the process of returning existing files to a readable state. How Fields Data Recovery can help We’ve been recovering data for more than twenty years and from all types of storage media. If you’re data is recoverable, we can get it back for you. You can even get a rough idea of how much it’ll cost for you to get your data recovered with our price guide. Alternatively, you can find out exactly how much it’ll cost by taking advantage of our free data recovery diagnostic.  

We've all accidentally deleted files but doing so doesn’t mean they’re lost forever. There’ll be no means of accessing the data, but it will still exist until it’s been overwritten. Here’s why: Why permanently deleted data isn’t permanently deleted When files are removed from a Recycle Bin or similar facility, the space within which it is stored is simply marked as available. As a result, the data remains present within the media until it is written over by new data. Think of your storage media as a library. There’s only so much space and only so many books can be stored there as a result. Imagine if library policy dictated that unpopular books are to be replaced by alternative texts but, rather than remove the books from their inventory and their shelves, they immediately removed any reference to the relevant book from their inventory but kept it on the shelf until its replacement was available. The book would still exist, but any reference to its existence and location would no longer be available. This is not dissimilar to what happens when a file is deleted – the data still exists but the media’s controller removes any reference to the file’s location thereby earmarking the space where it is located as free and available for new data. The file therefore remains stored on the drive until it’s been replaced. How to recover permanently deleted files The first and most important thing that you should do after accidentally deleting a file you wanted to keep is prioritise the task of getting it back. As storing new data to a device risks overwriting the data and making it unrecoverable, it is vital that any activity that may result in you needing to store data ceases until the file has been recovered. Following this, there are a few things you can try to recover your file, specifically: A system restore Restoring your system to a previous point in time could provide a solution to your problem. Whilst this is only a feasible option on a PC or Mac, using System Restore in order to return your device to a point in time where the data you’ve accidentally deleted still exists is entirely possible. You can do this by using Window’s System Restore tool or, if you’re using a Mac, the Recovery Tool programme. Recovery software Whilst data recovery software could be used to restore your data there are two things we think everyone needs to know before trying it: recovery software can be difficult to use and, more importantly, installing it could result in your deleted data being lost forever. Remember, deleted data is only present until it’s overwritten with new data. By installing data recovery software, you’re running the risk of writing over the data you actually want to recover. The fuller your storage media is, the more likely it is that this will happen. A data recovery company Whilst more expensive than the options above, a data recovery company is undeniably your best bet for, well… recovering your data! You can even find out exactly how much it’ll cost to have your data recovered without spending a penny – all thanks to Fields Data Recovery’s free diagnostic. Conclusion If you’ve accidentally deleted an important file, it’s still going to be present in your storage media until it’s replaced by new data. As a result, you may be able to recover it by restoring your device to a previous point in time, with data recovery software or by enlisting the services of a data recovery provider. Just be sure to avoid saving new data to your storage media wherever possible until it’s been recovered.