Lost Data Recovery Process

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• What happens: The technician or software scans the device to check if the data is logically (due to file system corruption or deleted files) or physically damaged (resulting from hardware/electronic failure).
   
• Tools used: Diagnostic software, SMART test, surface scan.
   
• Time: 30 minutes – 2 hours (in-lab) / instant if using software.
   

• Typical cases:
   
  • Deleted files
     
  • Formatted drive
     
  • Corrupted partition/file system
     
• Process: Specialized recovery software (e.g., R-Studio, EaseUS, Stellar) scans the device and reconstructs lost files.
   
• Time:
   
  • Small drives (USB ≤128 GB): 1–3 hours
     
  • SSD/HDD up to 1 TB: 4–12 hours
     
  • Larger drives (2–10 TB): 12–48 hours (depending on health and scan depth).
     

• Typical cases:
   
  • HDD: head crash, bad sectors, spindle motor failure
     
  • SSD: NAND chip degradation, controller failure
     
  • USB: broken connector, NAND failure
     
• Process:
   
  • The device is opened in a cleanroom (for HDD).
     
  • Parts replacement (read/write heads, controller boards).
     
  • For SSD/USB, direct chip-off recovery (reading NAND chips directly).
     
• Time:
   
  • Minor repairs: 2–5 days
     
  • Severe failures (chip-off, multiple parts replacement): 1–3 weeks
     

• What happens: Recovered data is copied onto a stable storage medium (external HDD, SSD, or cloud). Files are checked for corruption.
   
• Time: Depends on recovered size, typically 2–12 hours.
   

HDD Bad sectors, head crash, deleted files, Software scan/cleanroom repair 

4 hours - 24 hours 

SSD Controller failure, TRIM overwrite, deleted files, Software scan / chip-off NAND recovery 

6 hours – 24 hours 

USB Flash Drive Broken connector, deleted files, NAND errors Connector repair/software / chip-off 

2 hours – 12 hours.

1. Drive condition – failing drives require slower imaging to prevent further damage.
    
2. Capacity – larger drives take much longer to scan (10 TB+ may take several days).
    
3. Overwrite/Trim (SSD/USB) – TRIM can permanently erase deleted blocks, reducing success.
    
4. Type of failure – logical recovery is much faster than physical.
    
5. Urgency services – some labs offer 24–48h expedited recovery (higher cost).

✅ Summary:

• Simple software recovery (deleted files, formatted drive) can take just a few hours.
   
• Complex physical recovery (failed heads, dead SSD controller, broken USB) usually takes several days to weeks.

Combining local and national data, here’s what you can reasonably expect: 

• USB Flash Drive (Logical)$300 – $400
• USB Flash Drive (Chip-off)$600 – $650
• HDD (Logical Recovery)$300 – $600
• HDD (Cleanroom / Physical)$600 – $950 (potentially more)
• SSD (Logical)$300 – $600
• SSD (Chip-off / Controller) $600 – $1,000+ 

1. Type of damage:
    
   • Logical issues (e.g., deletion, formatting) cost less.
      
   • Physical damage (e.g., head failure, controller chips) requires cleanroom or chip-off work, raising costs significantly.
      

1. Service speed:
    
   • Expedited or emergency services (e.g., 24/7 turnaround) come with a premium.
      

1. "No Data, No Fee" policies:
    
   • Common in DFW and nationally—you're only charged if recovery is successful.
      

1. Diagnostics & quoting:
    
   • Many providers offer a free evaluation, then base the final price on complexity.