Finding the right person for an invasive job

[FrontDownMan]

Hi there lifesavers. I'm no HDD guru, but I have been lurking and watching you gurus since July when my HDD crashed in the middle of writing my masters thesis. Yes, I have been looking for someone for a while. I hate to just drop in like this, but I would truly appreciate any input from the community.

I am deciding whether or not to go with eco data recovery in Florida for a reasonable flat fee. Although they said they could do the job (based on the evaluation data provided to me by some specialists who were asking 5x what ecodata quoted), I don't know if I should trust that they can do it for such a [relatively] low fixed rate when they haven't physically looked at the HDD yet. It will need a clean room and all the time/equipment/knowledge that an HDD with faulty heads entails.

Anywho, I'm currently located in the northern VA region and am open to going with a local guru. I would send my hdd to ecodata / Chuck in Florida, but am nervous about the lack of genuine reviews/feedback/mentions that I've been able to uncover on them on the web. Plus, the email that gave me the flat-rate quote seemed automated or something.

Thanks for any advice you guys might be able to provide.

[harddrivespecialist]

Post a full model number of your drive, diagnostics results and possibly name of the company that did diagnostics.

[thatdellguy]

The Eco Data Recovery website im looking at only does quotes. Where are their flat rate prices? Post more about your problem and the full details (model, ect..) of the drive in question.

[harddrivespecialist]

This is just a quick look online.
http://www.insiderpages.com/b/371297738 ... ch-gardens
http://westpalmbeach.citysearch.com/pro ... overy.html

[FrontDownMan]

This is just a quick look online.
http://www.insiderpages.com/b/371297738 ... ch-gardens
http://westpalmbeach.citysearch.com/pro ... overy.html

Yes, I saw these, but was left with this feeling that all those reviewers had an agenda. Either 1 star or 5 stars. I guess that it could just come down to whether they got the desired data. Plus, I'm trying to gauge the situation a little better. None of the reviewers explain what the issue with their hdd was....which might be the most crucial information that readers need to know.

Anyways, thanks for the responses.

Drive Model: 5K500 B-160
HTS545016B9SA02
P/N: 0A70461

This is the diagnosis that I got in w. Europe, where I was living when this disaster occurred:
--------
Physical defects:
-read/write heads faulty
-damage to the System Area
-minimal damage to the platters
We may be able to fix these physical defects or temporarily repair the hdd. To circumvent these physical defects or temporarily to restore his spare parts / consumables needed, including a donor drive.

---------

So, they wanted about 1500 euros and a shipping/waiting for spare parts. It was far out of my reach. I know that there are other options. While I've poked around Russian and Indian sites, I think it would be too big of a gamble to send abroad to a country that's foreign to me. I'll keep looking more local for help.

[drc]

If indeed your drive has bad heads, SA problems, and platter damage, then IMO 1500 EUR is a completely reasonable or even low quote

Additionally, there would be extra charges now that the drive has been opened

Not to say anything specific about any particular company, but I would find a flat rate quote of 20% of that cost without even looking at the drive to be somewhat questionable. If you do end up sending it there please let us know how it turns out

[Jar]

[quote=" I don't know if I should trust that they can do it for such a [relatively] low fixed rate when they haven't physically looked at the HDD yet. [/quote]

They can't know the problem is heads, and they definitely cannot know there is platter damage.
It seems to me they are "buttering" you up for the worst possible case and doing some CYOA in the process.

I would send it to somewhere else and get it properly evaluated.

[northwind]

@Jar
I suppose the european company diagnosed the drive.
I agree with drc, 1500euros for this damage is right or even low.

I wouldn't trust a company that offers this kind of job for 1/5 of this price, esp. now that you know that this is heavy stuff (regarding price).

Someone brought in a Maxtor disk today saying that they found a company in town that would do this for them for 50 euros ( ) if client provided them with spare parts ( ).
After having a look at the drive, heads were completely packed. Now, if someone offers a head change job and imaging of drive for 50 euros, while we charge 500, something is really nasty...

[harddrivespecialist]

Was that drive opened in Europe for diagnostics?

[FrontDownMan]

Was that drive opened in Europe for diagnostics?

Nope, it was not opened. The seal is still intact. Is it possible to make accurate determinations regarding platters/heads without actually opening the drive?

Just to clarify, I had the hitachi evaluated in Europe a couple months ago. I didn't mention the company's name, but they are pretty big.

The place I'm wondering about now is ecodatarecovery, a company based in Florida. They say there's a "flat rate" (of 650$) on their website, but on the initial submission/info sheet they ask for more info. Soon after filling in the info sheet with the results given by the European company, I get an email saying that "Based upon the information that you have provided: Total Cost for Successful Recovery: $650.00* Includes Cleanroom work & parts, FREE Backup Media for Data Recovered"

[harddrivespecialist]

Was that drive opened in Europe for diagnostics?

Nope, it was not opened. The seal is still intact. Is it possible to make accurate determinations regarding platters/heads without actually opening the drive?

It is possible to determine head/s problem, but not media in a lot of cases.

I personally don't like flat rate quotes, because company might not want to do any difficult cases and will select easy ones and refuse difficult ones. There is no incentive to succeed in difficult cases...
What if the person has just few bad sectors on a drive?

[CK]

If you haven't made a decision yet, I highly recommend Andrew @ http://datanalyzers.com/ - Based in Florida too.

[labtech]

There are a couple of reputable companies nearby. At the end of the day it is really about what criterion or criteria is important to you, as in price, quality, professionalism, expertise, etc.

Judging based on your posts, it seems price is what is likely to be most important to you. Under these circumstances and the fact that a real conclusive evaluation has yet been performed on the drive, your company choice can easily end in a disaster.

I suggest you do more research about the industry, educate yourself, ask the right questions and then determine what is the best route to take.

Best wishes.

[lcoughey]

I suggest you contact jono-ats in this forum.

As for anyone who offers a flat rate for data recovery, they are not to be trusted. There may be legitimate flat rate labs out there, but I consider any that I've seen as snake oil sales. Also be cautious of anyone who will give you a precise quote without ever touching the drive.

That being said, I see that ECO mentions a flat-rate recovery, but then goes on to say that they quote after they assess. It certainly isn't well worded, but basically says that they do the same as most reputable labs...assess, quote and recover for that price.

[FrontDownMan]

Thanks for the input everyone! I really appreciate it. The hdd is on its way to New England. It feels good to get things shaking again after the lengthy down-time.

[FrontDownMan]

I'm back in business here. DatarecoveryNE is certainly legit. All data recovered within a few days + excellent customer service.
Peace to you, oh community of safety nets. May your clan prosper and reign supreme. I will ever hear your message whisper in my ear - "back-up, better back up buddy".

[harddrivespecialist]

Thank you for kind words.

[northwind]

Good job harddrivespecialist

[pcimage]

Nice work, well done!