How to submit a hard drive a hard drive to us

To send us a disk or another storage device for evaluation, follow these simple steps:

1. Print and sign the confidentiality agreement.
2. Pack your drive according to these instructions. Don't forget to include the confidentiality agreement with your package.
3. -Optionally, for your own convenience- Print this packing slip to send your drive to our Athens lab or this packing slip to send to our Thessaloniki lab and stick it on your package.
4. -Optionally- To submit your drive for free, fill this form. This is applicable for Greece only. Once you do, one of our representatives will contact you to confirm that the package is ready and your contact info is correct.
5. If you don't use the free drive delivery option, you can use any courier service you want, but you will be charged with the shipping costs. Please, do not use the Greek Post Service.

General, about data recovery

1. What are the data storage devices we can recover from ?

a) Hard drive

b) RAID array/Server

c) USB Stick / Memory Stick

d) SSD Drive

2. What are the main signs of a problematic Hard Drive ?

a) The drive was working fine but I accidentally formatted it or deleted data.

b) The drive makes strange sounds, clicks, beeps or can hear strange melodies from inside it.

c) The drive is working fine, does not make strange sounds, has not fallen or short circuited, but I get a message that it needs to be formatted.

d) The drive does not power on, makes no sound at all and is 'dead'. 

3. Is Data recovery for Raid array/server same as for HDD ?

RAID arrays are complex data storage systems that require special techniques and a great know-how. Northwind's Data Recovery technicians have experience in even the most difficult cases with a large number of drives on the array. Τhe cost for each case is different and depends on various factors. Contact us to discuss the details of your case and find a solution to your problem.

4. What are the main main signs of a problematic USB / Memory Stick ?

a) The USB / memory stick is recognized but I get prompted to format it.

b) The device is not recognized at all.

5. What are the main main signs of a problematic SSD ?

a) The SSD is recognized but I get prompted to format it.

b) The device is not recognized at all.

c) The SSD is slowing down dramaticly.

6. FAQ about Hard Drives :

1. My hard drive is damaged!! What should I do?
2. How much will the data recovery cost?
3. What happens with my drive's warranty?
4. If the damage is known beforehand, can't you make a cost estimation?
5. I only need a specific folder with files from my damaged drive. Will you charge differently if I ask you to recover 2-3 files?
6. Fine, let's proceed with the recovery!! What procedure do you follow?
7. What data can not be recovered?

7. FAQ about RAID array/server :

1. My RAID / NAS Box system stopped working. What should I do?
2. How much will the data recovery cost?
3. What procedure do you follow?
4. Should I pay attention to something in particular before I send you disks?
5. Can you recover data from all RAID systems?
6. I only need a specific folder with files from my damaged drive. Will you charge differently if I ask you to recover 2-3 files?
7. What data can not be recovered?

8. FAQ about USB & Memory Stick

1. My USB Stick / memory stick is not recognizable. What should I do?
2. How much will the data recovery cost?
3. What procedure do you follow?
4. I only need a specific folder with files from my damaged device. Will you charge differently if I ask you to recover 2-3 files?
5. What data can not be recovered?

How to securely pack your hard drive

Please pay special attention to the way you pack your hard drive.

It will be a pity to cause an even bigger damage to the drive due to bad packaging.

You can see below the acceptable ways to pack your drive inside the box you will send us. 

The drive should be packed in a special hard drive packaging bag (see images 1, 2) or be stored inside an antistatic bag - ESD

and between the drive and the box's sides you should place soft materials that aborb shocks and vibrations (see images 1 and 2) .