Hi,

I have an HDD with scratched platters that I need to recover extremely sensitive data from.

I therefore wanted to ask advice on the absolutely best services to do this in Europe. Cost is not a concern.

The HDD is a Toshiba MQ01ABD050

For context, I left the HDD with Pits data recovery in Düsseldorf, who shared.

Condensation on the platters have created water droplets that the spinning platters disperse at high speeds. This has caused the read/write head to crash into the platters, scratch the platter surface, damaging the data storage layer. Scratches on the platters result in data loss. Condensation has caused the read/write head to stick to the platters, "stiction".

We don't know the original cause of the fault, where the condensation came from, how extensive the damage is, and so on...
The company should provide photographic documentation, because your question asked in this way cannot be answered remotely.

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Data recovery Poland (RAID, HDD, SSD) - https://hex-serwis.pl

Thanks for commenting.

For context, the condensation apparently came from the HDD being stored in an attic.

Unfortunately, the service did not provide any photos of the damage.

Any advice you can offer on the best service for these types of damages is of course very much appreciated!

I agree with Lukas.
Ask them to provide you with pictures of the damaged surface, and explain what originally happened to the drive.

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http://www.northwind.gr
SandForce SSD Recovery
Ransomware Reverse Engineering - NoMoreRansom! partners

He just wants names of labs, for the rest you might as well talk to a wall. At least that's what I get from 20 Reddit posts.

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Joep - http://www.disktuna.com - video & photo repair & recovery service

Yes, you are right. I am looking for the best service professional given my specific situation.

For reference, attaching the only photos I received of the drive.

This pictures before the pandemic are useless.

Are these pictures representing the actual current situation of the drive, or are they taken prior to sending it to the data recovery lab?
Because the picture demonstrate a drive that has not been opened.

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http://www.northwind.gr
SandForce SSD Recovery
Ransomware Reverse Engineering - NoMoreRansom! partners

These photos represent the actual current situation of the drive. Apparently, PITS did not open it.

Hello RiverMoney,
When you phoned me last week, you told me that Pits doomed the drive unrecoverable. This whole condensation and waterdrops on platter make no sense or we are missing the full story. Give Pits a note and ask them to send some pictures. I would assume any lab would document a weird case like yours. And now your picture of the drive looks like it was never opened, very stange..

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Digitalsupport Data Recovery
https://digitalsupport.dk

The drive is not opened, therefore I don't really understand how did the 'scratched and unrecoverable' conclusion arise.

Additionally, these are relatively fun drives to work with -- even small scratches can be bypassed.

Better have someone trustworthy evaluate the condition of your drive, and then consider your next options.

_________________
http://www.northwind.gr
SandForce SSD Recovery
Ransomware Reverse Engineering - NoMoreRansom! partners

I have vast experience with Toshiba MQ01ABD050; with scratches not all but most of data can be recoverable.

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Data Recovery, Remote support & Training https://disksolution.com.pk/