Need help recovering data from an old IDE drive

[Scorpio187]

Hey guys,

Can you recommend any reputable companies who recover data from a hard drive? And also what are the going rates?

 

[Elixer]

What is wrong with the HD?
Does it spin up, or does it make a clicking noise?
Does BIOS see it? Does windows see it?

All recovery places will attempt a clone of the drive in question (assume it still works) and work with the cloned drive. So, if the HD still is seen in windows, that is what you should also do (assuming there isn't anything physically wrong with the HD, no funny noises, no clicking or anything like that).

For recovery services, it really depends on what needs to be done. The less the time spent on the HD in question, the cheaper it usually is, but it also depends on how fast you need the recovery done.
I have seen prices as high as $5000 for a really damaged HD that was in a fire, but, typically, the costs is around $150+.
They do have places that offer free quotes and all that as well. Both WD & Seagate have their own recovery labs in house now, so that is another option.

 

[Scorpio187]

I dropped it in the kitchen (we have marble floors) once. I bought an IDE to USB adapter so I could transfer the old files onto my new laptop, but from the looks of it I quickly realized that I would need to send it to a specialist for them to recover if not all, at least some of the data.

Do you know any good companies that could help me with this?

 

[daveybrat]

My recommendation is to try Gillware. I've used them several times in the past and they seem to be the cheapest. They've been able to recover data from every customer i've sent to them so far.

https://www.gillware.com/

Best thing is, they don't charge you unless they can recover your data. For a smaller IDE drive like yours, i'd guess it might cost between $600-$800.

 

[Elixer]

Best thing is, they don't charge you unless they can recover your data. For a smaller IDE drive like yours, i'd guess it might cost between $600-$800.

Most all places that I have seen don't charge unless they can get back data.
Never heard of this specific place, but I know peolple who have used http://www.drivesaversdatarecovery.com/ and they offer a way to download your files as soon as they are recovered which is nice, along with sending back a device with your files on it.