How the Data Recovery Process Works

A Datastrophe case begins with the recovery need, then moves through device transport or drop-off, technical evaluation, a written report and quote, and controlled delivery of usable data.

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Five-stage workflow for handling a data recovery case

Journey

A five-step handling process

The client should know where the case stands, what is free, what depends on the technical review and what requires explicit approval.

The process follows a safe operational sequence: free assessment, device intake, initial review, recovery and file transfer. Each step should give the client useful information before the next one begins.

No recovery should be presented as automatic. The careful route is to stop attempts, describe the symptoms, preserve the media, check what is recoverable and decide on the basis of a clear quote.

Consultation by device or form
Organization of storage media shipment or collection
Client decision before paid recovery

What remains free

The initial consultation, case orientation and logistics can be organized without commitment so that the client is not pushed into a rushed decision.

What Depends on the Technical Review

Feasibility, timing, recoverable scope and final price depend on the real condition of the storage media after technical analysis.

Control point: no chargeable recovery should begin before the client has received clear information on the possible result, cost and limits.

Case details gathered through an online form or phone conversation

Qualification

Online request or telephone discussion

A useful request describes facts rather than assuming the fault: media, symptoms, context, priority and real urgency.

The first contact is there to establish an initial direction, not to sell a generic answer. The form collects useful information: media type, symptoms, incident date, attempts already made and priority files.

When a direct conversation is preferable, the telephone call helps qualify urgency, avoid dangerous handling and prepare collection or shipment with suitable packing guidance.

Media, capacity, system and failure context
Error messages, noises, impact, liquid or power surge
Folders or files to check first

Form

It structures the request, avoids omissions and can prepare a quote or collection without unnecessary re-entry.

Telephone

It is mainly useful for urgent cases, ambiguous symptoms and unstable media that should be stopped or packed quickly.

Avoid restarting automatic repairs or writing to the media to 'see if it comes back' before reliable guidance has been given.

Transport

Collection, transport and media receipt

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 findings summarized in a report of recoverable files

Analysis

Technical Review and Usable Report

A useful examination does more than state whether the device is recognized: it explains what can be recovered and what remains uncertain.

The technical review should support a clear decision: feasibility, risks, recoverable file list or folder structure, likely timescale and limits. The report should distinguish detected, readable, partial and genuinely usable files.

The analysis is tailored to the media and may examine electronics, unstable mechanical parts, bad sectors, the partition table, the file system, RAID organization, or encryption.

Electronic, mechanical or logical checks according to the fault
Report with recoverable scope
Folder structure or file list when analysis allows

Feasibility

It depends on readable areas, media condition, available metadata, encryption and any writes made after the incident.

Report

It should help the client accept, reject or adjust recovery without forcing an opaque commercial decision.

Professional proof point: the client should understand the difference between detected files, readable files, partial files and genuinely usable files.

U.S. customer reviewing an estimate before authorizing data recovery

Decision

Estimate, U.S. customer approval and recovery

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

The estimate and free laboratory diagnosis come before any payment. Private round-trip transport is included. Before payment, the U.S. customer 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 U.S. customer 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 U.S. customer 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.

Recovered files delivered on healthy storage after final checks

Delivery

Data delivery and final follow-up

The expected result is not an abstract volume: it is usable files in an understandable folder structure.

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

The final follow-up states what has been recovered, what is partial, what is missing and how to use the delivery without putting a failed storage device back into production.

Transfer to healthy storage media or controlled download
Priority file verification
Communication of limits and partial files

Output media

It should be healthy, readable and suited to the recovered volume, with clear organization so useful data can be found quickly.

Traceability

Follow-up helps explain what has been handed over, what could not be recovered and which precautions to take next.

Remember: the original media has not been repaired and should not be considered reliable. The service returns recoverable data; it does not place failed media back into operation.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Am I required to proceed after the initial evaluation?

No. The technical review establishes feasibility, recoverable scope, price and limits. Chargeable recovery starts only after the client agrees to the conditions presented.

How is my storage device collected or shipped?

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 technical report provide?

It should state feasibility, risks, recoverable scope, technical limits and, where possible, a list or folder structure of recoverable files to support the decision.

What if I decide not to approve the quote?

If the U.S. customer 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. The objective is to extract and return usable data on healthy storage media. Any medium that has lost data should be treated as unreliable for production use.

Media