What Happens During a Data Recovery Case

Each case moves through defined checks: initial qualification, safe receipt of the device, technical review, client approval and secure handover of the data that can be recovered.

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Five decision stages from first enquiry to recovered file handover

Overview

Five stages with a decision at each point

At every stage, the client should understand the case status, any free services, the findings still required and when approval is needed.

A case progresses through initial advice, device intake, technical review, approved recovery and data transfer. Before moving forward, the client receives the information relevant to the next decision.

A successful outcome cannot be assumed. The prudent response is to stop further attempts, record the symptoms, protect the device and establish the recoverable scope before deciding whether the quoted work is worthwhile.

Discuss the case by phone or online form
Arrange safe delivery or collection of the device
Choose whether to proceed before paid work starts

Services before commitment

Initial advice, case direction and eligible transport arrangements can be provided without committing the client to recovery, allowing time for a considered choice.

Findings that require assessment

The device's actual condition determines feasibility, expected timing, the recoverable scope and the final quoted price.

Decision point: chargeable recovery must wait until the possible outcome, proposed cost and known technical limits have been explained.

Recording symptoms and priority files for a data recovery enquiry

Case details

Starting with an online enquiry or phone call

Describe what happened and what the device is doing; avoid guessing the cause. Include the priorities and genuine level of urgency.

The first conversation is used to understand the evidence, rather than prescribe a standard solution. Useful details include the device type, observed symptoms, when the incident occurred, any earlier attempts and the files that matter most.

For urgent or unclear cases, speaking directly can help determine whether the device should be powered down, prevent damaging handling and establish suitable packing and transport arrangements.

Device type, capacity, operating system and incident context
Errors, unusual sounds, impact, liquid exposure or electrical damage
The folders and files that should be examined first

Online form

A structured form captures the important facts once and supplies the information needed to prepare collection or the next step towards a quote.

Direct discussion

A phone conversation is helpful when symptoms are uncertain, the matter is urgent or an unstable device needs to be shut down and packed promptly.

Avoid running automated repairs again or saving anything to the affected device simply to test whether the data reappears.

Storage media packed for tracked transport and laboratory intake

Device transport

Packing, transport and laboratory intake

Logistics move the device; diagnosis, recovery and verification remain entirely with Datastrophe.

Datastrophe performs diagnosis and recovery directly in its laboratory. A private carrier transports the sealed parcel only and never accesses, diagnoses or processes the data.

Packing instructions and tracking are agreed before dispatch; on arrival, Datastrophe matches the media to the technical case without allowing the courier to access its contents.

Private round-trip transport included
Carrier has no access to the data
Diagnosis and recovery in the Datastrophe laboratory

Before dispatch

Packing, collection and identification are confirmed without powering the unstable media again.

At the laboratory

Datastrophe records receipt and routes the media to the appropriate diagnostic path.

The carrier handles logistics only. It does not diagnose the media or perform data recovery.

Technical report distinguishing recoverable, incomplete and uncertain files

Technical findings

Diagnostic assessment and decision-ready findings

Recognising a device is not enough. A useful assessment explains the achievable scope and identifies what remains uncertain.

The diagnostic assessment should establish feasibility, risk, likely timing, technical limits and the files or folder structure that may be recovered. Results need to separate items that are merely detected from those that are readable, incomplete or verified as usable.

The checks depend on the device and may cover electronic parts, unstable mechanical components, unreadable sectors, partition records, file-system structures, a RAID configuration or encryption.

Fault-specific logical, electronic or mechanical checks
A report defining the potential recovery scope
A file list or folder view when the analysis supports one

Factors affecting feasibility

Readable regions, physical condition, remaining metadata, encryption and any post-incident writes all affect what may be recovered.

Purpose of the report

The findings should let the client approve, decline or narrow the work without having to interpret an unclear sales proposition.

A sound report clearly distinguishes files that are detected, readable, partial and confirmed usable, so the client can assess the proposed result.

New Zealand client approval of a quotation before controlled data recovery

New Zealand client choice

Quotation, approval and controlled recovery

The free diagnosis, checked file list, clear statuses and price are available before payment.

The quotation and free laboratory diagnosis come before any payment. Private round-trip transport is included. Before payment, the New Zealand client receives the price and a checked file list using recoverable_verified, partial, detected_unverified and unrecoverable. Only recoverable_verified items are described as recoverable.

Payment is due only if the New Zealand client accepts the file list and price. After payment, Datastrophe performs final recovery, prepares the result and arranges its return. If no usable data are found, final recovery fails or the New Zealand client declines the list or price, no standard fee is due for the intervention, outbound transport, return transport, customs or standard return media. A rare, costly part is the only exception: it requires separate, explicit, priced approval and remains non-refundable even if recovery does not succeed.

Checked file list and price before payment
Only recoverable_verified counts as recoverable
Final recovery only after acceptance

Before the decision

The free diagnosis, checked file list, clear statuses and price are available before payment.

After the decision

Final recovery, preparation and return of the result follow acceptance and payment.

No standard charge applies without a usable or accepted result; only a rare part approved separately at a stated price remains non-refundable.

Secure handover of checked recovered data on sound storage

Final delivery

Secure handover and closing the case

The practical outcome is a set of usable files in an intelligible folder structure, not simply a reported number of bytes.

Final recovery, preparation and return of the result follow acceptance and payment.

The closing information records what was recovered, which files are incomplete, what could not be retrieved and how to use the delivered copy without returning the failed device to service.

Transfer to sound storage or an appropriate controlled download
Checks on the New Zealand client's priority files
A clear record of incomplete data and technical limits

Handover storage

The destination should be readable, in good condition and large enough for the recovered volume, with files arranged so important material is easy to locate.

Case record

Final documentation identifies what was supplied, what recovery could not achieve and the precautions recommended after handover.

Important: recovery does not make the source device reliable again. The purpose is to hand over retrievable data, not to return failed media to normal use.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Am I committed to recovery after the diagnostic assessment?

No. The assessment identifies feasibility, likely recoverable content, price and constraints. Paid recovery begins only when the client accepts the proposed scope and conditions.

How is a device sent or collected?

A private carrier provides the included round-trip transport for the sealed parcel. Datastrophe supplies packing instructions, receives the media at its laboratory and performs the diagnosis and recovery itself.

What information does the assessment report provide?

It covers feasibility, risk, the potential recovery scope and technical limits. Where the analysis allows, it also includes a file list or folder structure to inform the decision.

If I do not accept the quote, what happens next?

If the New Zealand client declines, the case closes with no standard intervention, transport, customs or return-media fee; only a rare part approved separately with a stated price remains non-refundable.

Can I keep using the original device after recovery?

No. Recovery is intended to extract usable data and provide it on sound storage. A device that has already lost data should not be considered dependable for ongoing use.

Media