After reading many of the posts here and elsewhere online, I realize that I will need to hire a data recovery service to recover data from my dead 1 TB Seagate external hard drive. I'm assuming based on the forum subject "WD2500JD "beeping"" and others that motor/spindle seizure occurred when the drive fell about 4 inches onto a hardwood floor as it was in use. I also read that such an event could lead to misalignment of the multi-platter drive.

So thanks to the information here and elsewhere I have a plan of action - hire a data recovery service. But that raises another problem. There seem to be hundreds, of data recovery services claiming to be the best. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate a review of data recovery services. I have trimmed the list to four and it seems the price estimate for each is in the same ballpark. They are DriveSavers, DiskDoctors, Seagate Recovery, and Ontrack.

Since it is a Seagate drive, should I send it to Seagate which has a no data - no charge policy? Maybe DriveSavers which according to their site can recover data from a disk with extreme physical damage? I've read some good and not-so-good information about Ontrack (some threads have implied exaggerated claims). I no little about DiskDoctors.

I would sincerely appreciate the feedback of persons who have used a data recovery service so that I can make a more informed decision.

Thanks much.

where exactly are you located ?

Never heard about DiskDoctors
DriveSavers have limited abilities in internal recoveries
DriveSavers and Ontrack have evaluation fee

_________________
SAN, NAS, RAID, Server, and HDD Data Recovery.

hey blacky!! where are you located?
I need your precious help as well!

Sorry again for the intrusion in the topic but since I have the same problem...
today its the turn of my poor 2,5" toshiba which apparently seems to have left me!
I am attempting a repair but... I don't know for how much it can go on like this... its been already two hours scanning an remapping at 14%...


now as I write its getting worse cause it marked with a X some UNC... so it seems these cannot even be remapped.
Should I let it go on or not? I already "low level" formatted it...
Blacky do you think you can give a new life to it?

From this, i would recommend: i365 ( A Seagate Company) http://www.i365.com/contact-us.html .
If you don't care on distance
their much powerfull Lab:
Amsterdam Lab EMEA Headquarters,
Chicago Lab, Toronto Lab

_________________
Angel Data Recovery

We are located in Denver - datatech labs, we have high success with WD media transplant, we offer free evaluation (if drive has not being previously open) give us a call to arrange shipping to our lab. 1.888.288.DATA

Best regards