What Recovery Hardware would you recommend ?

[dmoldovan]

Hi all

I am set in Romania, and I want to start a DR business.
I'm not a totally newbie to this, as I did lots of recoveries up until now, but only the "logical" ones. (or switching the PCBs)

I have to choose between SalvationData's and ACE's

Please share your plus and minus about them.

All info is greatly appreciated

Dan

[BlackST]

Both have pros and cons, if possible you should buy both. Anyway, you must have a technical background about drive structrures, otherwise they are only expensive toys. DR is not only logical recovery or PCB swap.
Also consider tooling for head/platter swap etc. , and:
- PROFESSIONAL multimeter like Fluke / Agilent or similar
- PROFESSIONAL dual power supply with digital readout and current limiter / meter
- PROFESSIONAL digital sampling scope w/ equivalent 200 MHz bandwidth, dual trace.
- PROFESSIONAL SMD rework station
- PROFESSIONAL solder station
- and in the near future , BGA rework station.
- PROFESSIONAL universal programmer capable of read/write flash , SPI and NVRAMs, equipped with necessary SSOP, TSOP adapters etc.
- MICROSCOPE , better with stereo binoculars or even better with video out. Get an old TV or a color monitor as output (this is the less expensive tool, probably, but is priceless !!)
- And of course every other tool needed : screwdrivers, tweezers, etc.

[dmoldovan]

Hi,
thanks for answering.
Well, I do have some backgound about HDD structure, as I started as a small IT shop back in 1998-99 and of course, there were customers who had their data lost. IT is my hobby.

Of all the things you mentioned there is something I am not clear about their use:

- PROFESSIONAL dual power supply with digital readout and current limiter / meter - WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE DUAL POWER ??
- MICROSCOPE

Please detail further

thanks again

Dan

Last edited by dmoldovan on November 6th, 2008, 16:29, edited 1 time in total.

[magneto]

Both have pros and cons, if possible you should buy both. Anyway, you must have a technical background about drive structures, otherwise they are only expensive toys. DR is not only logical recovery or PCB swap.
Also consider tooling for head/platter swap etc. , and:
- PROFESSIONAL multimeter like Fluke / Agilent or similar
- PROFESSIONAL dual power supply with digital readout and current limiter / meter
- PROFESSIONAL digital sampling scope w/ equivalent 200 MHz bandwidth, dual trace.
- PROFESSIONAL SMD rework station
- PROFESSIONAL solder station
- and in the near future , BGA rework station.
- PROFESSIONAL universal programmer capable of read/write flash , SPI and NVRAMs, equipped with necessary SSOP, TSOP adapters etc.
- MICROSCOPE , better with stereo binoculars or even better with video out. Get an old TV or a color monitor as output (this is the less expensive tool, probably, but is priceless !!)
- And of course every other tool needed : screwdrivers, tweezers, etc.

Very good, accurate and helpful list Black

Agreed. Still don't have my BGA rework station. Got a cheap rework house though

[BlackST]

Dual power supply to power up the drives , dual because you have to supply +5 and +12 , current limiter - if the drive has problems, the current limiter (you set the threshold) will shut down power.
Microscope : to examine platters, heads, PCBs etc.

[dmoldovan]

So, what you are saying is that a common ATX power supply will be of no good ?

Dan

[harddrivespecialist]

Knowladge is "the best" and most important tool in DR business.

[dmoldovan]

@harddrivespecialist: knowledge is also the best and most important thing in... I say EVERYTHING.

Which means I didn't quite understand what you meant.

Please detail

Dan

[BlackST]

A common ATX PS will fry a drive with problems. It won't shut down .

About knowledge : if you are traveling by plane and you go into the pilot cabin, and you see there's a 1000 page manual on the cockpit "HOW TO MAKE A 747 FLY" plus a copy of "AERONAUTICS FOR DUMMIES" , what would be your opinion ?
I mean, if you get a drive from a customer they expect a solution, not excuses. Or are you going to be one of the 125.888.217 people that everyday come here asking for what to do - and not a second opinion (and should be their job... like their cash) ?

P.S. it's not a good start to try to save on MOST IMPORTANT THINGS like a professional power supply.

[dmoldovan]

Well, it looks that I might not be as tough on electronics....
Could you give me some links to such a power suply ?

Dan

[harddrivespecialist]

Use most basic tools available and aquire rest as needed. You will gain more knowledge and will find out what is more suitable for you.

Based on your name, I can guarantee that PC3000 will be the best for you.
Start from here and you will see everything else....

[dmoldovan]

How can you guarantee just... based on my name ?

Actually, any more, in-depth details would be very helpfull (regarding the choice of either products)

And about ACE's lack of manuals (as I read on many forums) altohugh I live in Romania, just a few steps from Russia, I must say I cannot speak a word in russian.
Dan

[harddrivespecialist]

PC3000 comes with a manual. People who is buying a cracked versions don't get manuals or a fully functional software/hardware.

You have to start doing research on your own.

[dmoldovan]

Now, just a moment.
I never thought about buying/using some cracked stuff for DR
I heard a lot about the much cheaper chinese clone of ACE

I am talking already to both of them (ACE and SD) in order to decide from which one to buy.

Why is it that you think ACE's hardware would fit me best ?

Dan

[magneto]

This is just what I heard so I'd like it if someone was able to clear this up but from what I understand there are certain countries that are denied access to the FTP sites for ACE based solely on location. That might be a contributing factor to your decision if the statement has any merit.

!!Like I said, I don't know that to be fact, it is only what I've heard.!!

I don't have this issue so I can't confirm it myself.

[dmoldovan]

What I heard (although I didn't ask them yet) is that the users in America have access to some FTP server, but only those who bought the devices from ACE's partner in the US or Canada, I don't recall the location right now.

Dan

[harddrivespecialist]

Just to make it clear, I am not advertising any of those products and not trying to say something bad about the other products.
Everything is based on my opinion.
PC3000 is more expensive than Salvation, and I mean much more expensive, but it is more complete and I think has more options.
It supports all of the drives, so you don't have to buy separate pieces for each manufacturer.
You can buy additional options such as Data Extrator, which could be aquired later, but very useful.

You will also get access to their forum, which has hundreds of people participating, helping others and asking for help.

[networkpc3000]

i using ACE' tools only. or you try to ask who don't have ACE's tools. you had to pay for equipment. but i suggestion don't waste money to buy some no usefull software & hardware.

[Crudeoyl]

Oh man.....Salvationdata tools as i considered as not a professional tool, i do not recommend it, get ACE PC3000.
Did you guys realize the tech supports now gone missing?

[thatdellguy]

We have the SalvationData tools but only use them 5% of the time compared to 95% with PC-3000. My SalvationData tools are gathering dust at the moment except for the platter tool. Having more than one solution can be helpful. Knowledge and experience will cost you more than any tool on the market. Jumping from logical to physical recovery work can take years to accomplish.