Deleted files are not immediately removed upon deletion: they remain available until something else is written to that section of the drive. This is referred to as the "gap". Immediately stop using the drive, stick or card and we should be able to recover deleted files and folders from most types of media in-house.
Once an item has been deleted it will stay on your computer as long as there are no newer updates written on top of that information. That means every time you save a picture, document or modify some other part of your system's configuration you have less room to find that lost information. And when you install recovery programs on the very same disk (which many do) it uses up even more space. Leave it alone for now. Stop using it. Don't add anything else to it. Call us. The sooner this happens the better chances we'll have at recovering what was lost.
Most files which have been deleted are simply sitting on their respective devices ready to be read again. However, sometimes these files are rendered unrecoverable. These are the type of cases that cause the majority of our recoveries.
Regardless of which brand you are using or what storage formats that your devices use, so long as your devices can store files, recovering deleted files from your devices is something we most likely will be able to assist you with.
We recover data from spinning hard disk drives, solid state drives, USB thumb drives, memory cards of all formats (including SD, microSD, CF), external desktop and portable hard disk drives, and the internal drives used by laptop, desktop and Mac computers.
Deleted files are recovered by making an exact copy of the original device first, without ever working on the original device. We work off of a copy created specifically for the purpose of retrieving all deleted files possible from that copy.
Tell us what was lost and from which device. We will verify if the lost data can be recovered from your device, then provide a written quote for recovery (usually within 48 hours).
A sector-by-sector image is created of your original device. All recovery work is done using this copy of your original. Nothing on your original device is changed or rewritten.
Firstly, we restore those files that are still indicated in the file system as being deleted. These are often the easiest and quickest types of recovery.
Next, we recover those files that have been removed from the file system. In other words, they are carved directly from the raw data based on their signature. Examples include photographs, documents, videos etc.
Each and every restored file is verified to open correctly and that it is complete prior to being returned to you.
You will receive your recovered data as new files stored on fresh media, organised and ready to access.
Your recovered data is copied onto a portable device (hard drive, solid-state drive, etc.) and posted to you or offered for a free download of up to 75 GB, however you prefer.
We recover data from all types of media storage devices including hard disk drives, solid state drives, flash memory (USB) sticks, memory cards and external drives. This can include many different file formats such as documents, photographs, video, email and much more. All of this work is performed on a forensic copy of your original media, and not directly against your original media.
Provide us with an overview of what has been lost and one of our engineers should contact you prior to the end of the next business day.
We will get back to you soon. If it is urgent, call 028 9002 0144.
No surprise quotes or pressure to proceed. A complimentary diagnostic is provided at no cost to determine if recovery is possible. Then, a written quote is created outlining how much the recovery will cost before any work is done.
Examples of our work in recovering lost data from deleted files on various items, all with the type of device and how they turned out; customers' names were removed for privacy reasons.
As this hadn't been used since, we took an image of the card and then carved back out all JPEG and RAW files by their signatures. Almost all of that original set made it back home.
These sticks bypassed the Recycle Bin, therefore immediately deleting the files. We pulled them directly from the file table and recovered them completely.
We created an image of the drive and did a full scan, which allowed us to pull back the folder and everything within it prior to being overwritten.
Comments from actual clients who have experienced having their deleted files restored by us.
Don't worry, there are no fake reviews here! As soon as we get a new verified, named review from one of our clients based in Belfast, we'll add it to this page. Until then, please don't hesitate to give us a call and speak directly with an engineer at 028 9002 0144 for any further information regarding your specific issue.
Send or drop off your item for a free diagnostic check with a description of the issue. One of our engineers will review the item, then provide you a written quote prior to doing any repairs.
Prior to sending or dropping off your device for a diagnostic test (free), obtain a quotation from us via telephone or using the provided form. Step one: get the device to our Belfast bench. Carefully wrap the device and include your contact information inside the parcel. Then send it over. There is no charge for this diagnostic service. Once we receive it, you will be given a firm written price to confirm whether you wish to go ahead, before any work is done.
Sending it? The use of a tracked, insured delivery method would be recommended. Alternatively, dropping it off can also be done Monday to Friday, 9am–5:30pm; no prior booking required but do ensure that all items are packed accordingly.
Still waiting to send something? Please complete the form describing the failure/fault in your own words and one of our engineers will get back to you with a quotation based upon your individual circumstances.
We will get back to you soon. If it is urgent, call 028 9002 0144.
What we're most frequently asked when it comes to retrieving deleted files.
Often, yes. When you delete a file, it does not destroy your data: it simply indicates to your computer that the area on which the deleted file resided is now available for other uses (such as writing a new file). As long as nothing else is saved to that location before you begin to recover the lost file(s), it should generally be recoverable. Your challenge will be to avoid using the storage device once you've noticed that a file has been lost.
Avoid using the storage device: do not write to it; do not add new photos, etc.; and do not run recovery programs on the affected storage device. These actions can overwrite the deleted files and cause them to become unrecoverable. Once you've stopped using the storage device, contact us and we will help complete the process.
Frequently. Recovering deleted photos and video are common-place tasks at this firm. However, provided that little-to-no additional usage occurred after deletion, images may be able to be extracted directly from the raw flash memory even if erased or formatted within the camera itself.
Only occasionally; however, we have found that solid state drives (SSDs) represent by far the most difficult type of storage media to attempt to recover deleted files from. This is due to the fact that TRIM sends instructions to the drive to wipe deleted sectors quickly, leaving a relatively small window for recovery efforts when compared to hard disk drives, memory sticks/flash cards, etc. We will provide you with our professional opinion regarding whether or not your deleted files are likely to still exist upon completion of the diagnostic process.
Not always. What emptying the bin does is delete the reference to the file. It will remain on the disk until it is overwritten by something else. As soon as you place the device down, you have a good probability of recovering your lost files.
All standard forms of storage are included (e.g., PCs, laptops, Macs, external/portable drives, SSDs, USB flash drives & SD, microSD and CompactFlash cards) that contain files. We’ll likely be able to assist you with whatever form your files take.
USB flash drive/memory card: £250 + VAT; hard drives: £300 + VAT. There is no cost for diagnosis prior to recovery. In most cases you only pay if we recover your data. This area of our business (logical work rather than physical repair) is at the lower-end of costs for what we do. Your final cost will be clearly outlined in writing prior to us starting any work.
Most file recoveries are completed in 1-3 working days, and sometimes even sooner. We typically complete our diagnostics within 48 hours of receipt. Urgent cases can normally be given priority. Please advise us upon contact if this applies.
Please deliver the device personally to Cromac Square on a weekday between 9am and 5:30pm, or send it via post using an insured delivery method. Ensure the device is properly sealed. Include a note with your full name, full postal address, email address and phone number. This will ensure it is processed immediately: free diagnostic first, followed by a written quotation prior to commencing any recovery work.
All types of memory devices (hard drives, thumb drives, memory cards) are examined using our no-charge diagnostic process. In most cases you only pay if we recover your data. Data continues to degrade each time an operating device is used. Therefore, the quicker we receive your device, the greater amount of recoverable information there likely is.