Losing important files — years of photos, work documents, a dissertation — is one of the most stressful things a computer can do to you. The good news is that data recovery is often possible, even from a computer that won’t boot. The bad news is that the wrong first moves can turn a recoverable situation into a lost one. Here is what data recovery can get back, the mistakes to avoid, and how the process works.
First: stop using the device
This is the single most important thing on this page. The moment you realise files are missing or a drive is misbehaving, stop using it. Every time a drive is written to, it can overwrite the very data you are trying to get back — and “deleted” files usually still exist until something writes over them.
- Deleted something by accident? Don’t save anything else to that drive, and don’t install recovery software onto it — that alone can overwrite what you are trying to rescue. Power down and bring it in.
- Laptop won’t boot? Don’t keep restarting it or attempt a Windows reinstall — a reinstall can wipe the files you want. See our guide on what to do when a laptop won’t turn on.
- Drive clicking, buzzing or grinding? Turn it off now and leave it off. Those sounds mean the drive has physically failed — a specialist job (see below), not a software one — and every extra minute of spinning can cause more damage.
The two kinds of data loss — and which we handle
Almost every case falls into one of two types, and they are dealt with very differently. It is worth knowing which you have.
Logical failure — this is what we recover. The drive hardware is fine, but the data is lost in software: accidentally deleted files, a formatted drive or memory card, a corrupted file system, or a computer that won’t boot but whose disk is healthy. These are the most recoverable cases, because the files are usually still physically present and simply need to be found and rebuilt — and it is the work we specialise in.
Physical failure — this needs a specialist lab. When the drive itself has mechanically failed — the clicking hard drive, failed read/write heads, a dead motor — recovery means opening the drive in a dust-free clean room with specialist equipment. We are honest about this: it is not work we do in-house, and no ordinary repair shop should attempt it, because opening a drive in normal conditions can destroy what was left. If your case turns out to be physical, we will tell you straight away and point you towards a reputable clean-room data recovery lab rather than take it on.
The reassuring part is that a large share of everyday data loss — deleted files, formatted media, corruption, computers that won’t start — is logical, and that is exactly what we are set up to recover.
What we can recover from
Where the media itself is working and the loss is logical, we recover from a wide range of devices:
- Laptop and desktop hard drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs)
- External and portable USB drives
- USB memory sticks
- SD and other memory cards from cameras and phones
- Drives from computers that no longer switch on (where the drive itself is healthy)
If files were deleted, a card or drive was formatted, or a computer won’t start, it is well worth having it assessed before you write it off.
How the process works
Every job starts with a free assessment. We examine the drive or media, establish whether the failure is logical or physical, and see what is realistically recoverable — before you commit to anything. If it is a logical case we give you a clear, fixed quote and get on with it. If it turns out to be physical, we tell you honestly and steer you towards a specialist lab, so you are never charged for chasing something we are not equipped to recover.
Recovered data is returned to you on fresh, healthy media, and every job is handled confidentially — your files are your business and nobody else’s.
An honest word on success rates
Even with logical recovery, no one can promise 100% every time — anyone who does is not being straight with you. How much comes back depends on what went wrong and, crucially, on what happened after: a drive that was stopped and brought in promptly gives far better odds than one that was kept running or written over. That is why the “stop using it” advice at the top of this page matters so much. The free assessment exists so you know where you stand before spending a penny.
Data recovery in Stockport
We have been recovering data and repairing computers in Stockport since 2007, working carefully and confidentially from our local workshop. Every job starts with a free assessment and a clear, fixed quote, and there is free parking right outside.
Not local? Our mail-in service covers the whole UK. See our data recovery page, book it in, or call 0161 282 2548 and describe what happened — the sooner we look, the better the chances.
Frequently asked questions
Can you recover files I deleted by accident?
Often, yes — this is a logical recovery, which is exactly what we do. Deleted files usually still exist on the drive until something writes over them, so stop using that drive immediately and don’t save or install anything else onto it. That improves the chances a great deal.
My hard drive is making a clicking noise — can you recover it?
Clicking or grinding means the drive has physically failed, which needs a specialist clean-room lab and equipment we don’t have in-house — so this isn’t something we can recover ourselves. Turn the drive off and leave it off to avoid further damage, and we can point you towards a reputable lab that handles physical recoveries.
Can you get data off a laptop that won’t turn on?
Usually, yes — as long as the drive itself is healthy and only the laptop has failed, which is a logical case. The data is very often fully recoverable. Don’t attempt a Windows reinstall in the meantime, as that can overwrite the files you want back.
Do you recover from USB sticks and memory cards?
Yes, where the loss is logical — deleted or formatted files on a working stick or card. As well as laptop and desktop drives, we recover from external drives, USB memory sticks, and SD and other memory cards from cameras and phones.
Is my data kept private?
Always. Every recovery is handled confidentially — your files are seen only as far as needed to recover and return them, and nothing is shared with anyone.
How much does data recovery cost?
It depends on the type of logical failure and how the data is stored. That is why every job starts with a free assessment — we see what is recoverable first, then give you a clear, fixed quote before any work begins.