The Class 100 Clean Room
Hard drives that are clicking or making unusual sounds go directly to the clean room bench where the pcb controller, heads and platter surfaces are checked and tested for scratches, scoring, correct calibration, ohm readings and failed chips.

Rom chips and hard drive firmware are checked for consistency and to be sure the correct modules are loaded (N40P errors, bios recognizing the wrong parameters, drive size, truncated model and serial numbers are indicators of corrupt firmware and modules).

The spindle motor is tested for proper rotation, speed, alignment and frozen or damaged bearings (alignment issues and frozen bearings are the toughest problems to overcome. Fortunately, they are fairly rare).

Servo mechanisms identify the parameters and structure of the hard drive. We use high-power microscopes, special dies and sophisticated equipment to look at and test the servos to determine whether they have been damaged or overwritten. Data shifting and servo overwrites usually prevent complete recovery. Files are truncated, structures are lost and require extensive rebuilding in order to recover any good data at all. In these cases we do our best to at least recover your most critical files.

When testing is complete, faulty parts are replaced and the correct firmware is loaded, an engineer will test the drive to see if it is running properly and reading the file structure. If it does, all the data is pulled from the drive to healthy drive or server in the form of an image or sector-by-sector clone so your data can be recovered and safely verified without the risk of your drive going down again.

The Cloning Lab
If your hard drive is not suffering from severe mechanical or electrical failure it goes directly to the cloning room where a bit-by-bit, sector-by-sector image is created. Once we have an image of your hard drive, we can work with the data to make sure it is readable, there is no corruption and the critical files and folders you need are intact. Then your recovered data goes to the data verification lab...

Imaging a hard drive can take from 2 to 16 hours or more, depending on the size of the hard drive and the integrity of the data storage area (platters).

The Data Verification Lab
Once your recovered data enters the data verification lab, a technician verifies some of your critical files and creates a directory and file list that we send to you so you can make sure the files you need are there. If you see some files that you would like us to test, we'll be more than happy to do so.

Data Recovery Authorization
As soon as the file list is complete, ADR will send you the list of recoverable files and an authorization form including the price for recovering your data.

After you verify the file list and price quote and decide to proceed with recovering your data, you will fill out, sign and fax the authorization form to ADR so we can finish the recovery process and get your data back to you.

Recovering Data and Returning it To You
When we receive your authorization to proceed along with your method of payment, a technician begins putting your recovered data on CDs or an external USB hard drive.

If your authorization is received before 12:00 pm Pacific time, your data will normally ship the same day. Recovered data is shipped via FedEx for next day delivery, unless you specify otherwise. Your recovered data is returned on either CDs or an external USB hard drive.

Unless your hard drive has severe damage or you choose expedited service, the entire process from start to finish is normally completed within 72 hours!

Call ADR Data Recovery now, to speak with our knowledgeable and friendly staff who are eager to assist you and answer any questions you have. Call us at 1-800-450-9282, or e-mail us at quotes@adrdata.com.