Even though a hard drive may connect to a computer, laptop or Mac without being recognised, there is typically still valid data present on the device. Our engineers repair damaged firmware, circuitry or file systems, and complete all data recovery services in-house.
When you see a RAW drive (a drive which says it needs to be formatted) or a “not initialised” drive, it normally contains all your information. Formatting will write over recoverable data. Do not use any repair utilities which rewrite data on the drive. Also do not continuously connect an externally connected drive with faulty hardware to your computer. Shut down the device and contact us.
For the most part, a missing hard disk in your PC occurs due to either a hardware, firmware or logic problem. We see these issues regularly, and we also fix them routinely.
Since 2002 we’ve been able to recover undetectable disks from virtually all major brands. Therefore if you are using a disk with spinning magnetic media we probably can help.
Internal and external • 3.5” desktop and 2.5” laptop • SATA, SAS, IDE/PATA and SCSI • from 40GB legacy drives to the latest 24TB helium models.
When recovering access to a previously undetectable disk, there could be damage to either the firmware (i.e. operating code for the disk), the hardware, or possibly the file system. We identify the root cause of the problem and make the necessary repairs to allow your data to be restored, very carefully in the correct order.
Please send or bring your device in for us to determine if it’s due to a firmware, hardware issue, board or file-system problem and we’ll provide you with a detailed written quote; normally this is completed within 48 hours.
Before testing an external enclosure we check all cables as well as both ports and bridges. Next, when using an external drive we remove the drive from the enclosure and test it directly (without the case).
When a drive will not initialise we use specialised tools to access and fix issues in the internal service area of the drive which results in recognition by operating systems.
If the drive is unable to recognise its own configuration data we replace either the heads for the drive with matching ones, or put a replacement board into the unit from our stock. In this instance there are no long waits for a donor unit to arrive before we can start working on your damaged disk.
After detection, we copy each sector of the original drive to reliable storage at a slow rate, while avoiding those sectors that may be failing.
Following successful completion of a copy operation, we restore your partition table, build your file structure, and deliver your files back to you on good quality media.
When we finish backing up your files to an external hard drive, we will post them to you. Alternatively, we can provide you a free (up to 75GB) download of your files once they have been backed up.
Matching heads and boards in-house, as well as specialist firmware tools, allows for most unidentified hard disk drives to immediately go into repairs; there is no need to wait weeks for a donor drive to become available.
Tell us about your drive and we will get back to you, usually within 30 minutes during the day.
We will be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, call 0191 406 1051.
There are no hidden charges or fees for our services and there will be no pressure; only a complimentary diagnostics evaluation and a written quotation prior to starting any work.
Examples of some recent successful recoveries of unrecognised drives completed in-house. The names were removed from these examples but each example was verified.
Firmware corruption in the service area. We were able to access and correct the corrupted firmware using our specialised tools, the drive successfully reinitialised after this correction and we were able to image the drive on the first pass.
A faulty USB bridge caused the failure, not the drive. Once we bypassed the case and connected the bare drive directly to a port on our test station, the drive functioned normally.
This drive experienced a corrupted partition and file system due to a poorly shut down operation. We were able to image the entire drive, rebuild its file system and recover all the files in good order.
A free diagnostic can begin once you’ve shipped your device to us. Tell us a bit about how this issue occurred; an engineer will evaluate your device and provide a confirmed written estimate of costs prior to any work being performed.
Before you post or drop off your device, please get a quote from us by phone or with the form. Once we receive your device, our recovery process can start. Safely pack your device, include your name and contact information within the packaging and ship it to us. After performing your free diagnostic, we’ll send you a written confirmation of the exact price of our services prior to starting any work.
If you decide to post it, we would advise using a trackable and insured postal service. Or if you prefer to drop it off, we are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm, and you don’t need an appointment. Just pack the unit as described in step one before dropping it off.
Would you like a little more background information prior to sending it? Fill in the form to provide more details about your problem; an engineer will evaluate it and reply with a customised quote.
We’ll be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, call 0191 406 1051.
These are by far the most common questions we receive regarding drives that will not be recognised by computers.
There are multiple ways in which a drive may not appear when you access your system. The drive could have had its firmware corrupted. The read/write heads could also be weakened. It is possible that there was damage to the main circuit board. There were instances where an external bridge was damaged. Or the partition table on the hard drive has been damaged. In most cases the data remains intact but since the drive is unable to report on itself, then the data cannot be accessed.
If a hard disk powers on (spins up) but is unable to initialise with the computer, the issue typically lies within the firmware or service area or failing heads that have become nonfunctional as they cannot retrieve the necessary information from the drive’s own configuration. Utilising specialised tools, we can locate and correct issues preventing the drive from initialising properly.
No, do not format it. “Needs formatting”, RAW or “not initialised” almost always means your partition or file system has failed and your data is still there. When you format or initialise your drive, you may be overwriting your data. We rebuild the file system on your drive and recover your files instead.
Many times it is the enclosure, not the drive. A faulty USB-to-SATA bridge will stop your computer detecting the drive even if the drive inside is working perfectly well. We bypass the enclosure and connect the bare drive directly to find out what happened.
Usually. We repair whatever went wrong (firmware, hardware or corrupt file system) and recover your data. Drives that won’t show up are routine work for us.
We have a standard price of £300 + VAT. In addition to this, there will also be a complimentary (free) written diagnostic prior to commencing with any job. In most cases you only pay if we recover your data. However, for those simple firmware or file system repairs we would normally charge less than our standard price. Any additional repairs beyond these two types will be confirmed in writing and require approval from yourself prior to commencement.
The majority of non-recognition recoveries are typically completed within 3 to 4 working days after receiving acceptance of our quotation; and most diagnostics are complete within 48 hours. If there is a priority needed please inform us.
All major manufacturers, such as Seagate, Western Digital, Toshiba, Samsung, HGST, Hitachi, Maxtor, Fujitsu, IBM, Quantum, SanDisk, LaCie, G-Technology, Buffalo, Verbatim, ADATA, Transcend, Silicon Power, Iomega, UnionSine, ModusTech and Intenso, in all formats: 3.5-inch desktop and 2.5-inch laptop and external.
You may hand-deliver it to our Newcastle location during the hours of Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm, or post it to us fully insured. Please ensure that the drive is properly wrapped or boxed and sealed. Include all your contact information (Name, Street Address, Telephone Number and Email Address) within the packaging so we are able to fully schedule your drive. We will perform the free diagnostic test once received, then provide you with a written quote prior to commencing any work.
No charge diagnostic report, and in most cases you only pay if we recover your data; plus access to 10,000 parts in stock for each repair. Start your recovery today.