Disklab Data Recovery – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Disklab is a professional data recovery lab specializing in recovering lost or inaccessible data from hard drives, SSDs, RAID servers, tapes, and more. We serve clients worldwide with local services in St. Louis, Missouri. Our ISO Class 5 cleanroom labs use cutting-edge tools and techniques backed by over 20 years of expertise.

Yes — it’s our core policy. You pay nothing for the free evaluation or if we cannot recover your data. You only pay upon successful recovery. This applies to all services, including hard drives, RAID, SSDs, tapes, and ransomware cases.

Fill out our simple online form at disklab.co/new-case or call +1-844-DISKLAB (844-347-5522) for 24/7 support. We’ll provide a free shipping label (domestic second-day return included on success). Ship your device or drop it off at our office — we handle the rest with a free evaluation within 24 hours.

We recover from:

• Hard drives (HDD) — internal/external, laptop/desktop
• SSDs, flash drives, memory cards
• RAID arrays (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, etc.), servers, NAS, SAN, virtual systems
• Tape backups (LTO, DDS, DLT, legacy formats and more)
• VMware virtual machines
• Ransomware-encrypted files
• Deleted, formatted, corrupted, or physically damaged storage

Free evaluation: Completed within 24 hours of receipt.

Full recovery: Varies by damage level, data volume, and media type (hours to several days/weeks in complex cases like severe physical damage or large RAID arrays). You’ll receive a detailed timeline in your no-obligation quote.

Costs vary based on device type, damage complexity, and data volume — determined only after the free evaluation. We provide a clear, fixed quote with no hidden fees. No charge if you decline or if no data is recovered.

1. Free evaluation & diagnostic report (within 24 hours) — we assess damage and provide a quote.
2. Expert repair & data extraction (upon your approval) — using tailored physical/logical methods in ISO Class 5 cleanroom.
3. Secure delivery — file list preview, then return via USB, new drive, or your media. Data retained securely for 30 days.

Pack securely to prevent further damage (use anti-static bags, bubble wrap, sturdy box). We’ll email a free shipping label upon case start. Follow our shipping instructions at disklab.co/about/shipping-instructions for best results.

We provide a file list for verification. Once approved, the data is transferred securely to your chosen media and shipped to you. Recovered files remain stored with us for 30 days (for any re-downloads or issues) before permanent secure deletion.

Yes — we specialize in tape data recovery and restore services. We retrieve lost, corrupted, or inaccessible data from tape backups, whether due to physical damage, logical corruption, format/read errors, or integration failures. Our team has nearly two decades of experience as leaders in tape recovery.

We handle all common and legacy tape formats, including:

• LTO (all generations, e.g., LTO-1 through LTO-9 and beyond)
• DLT/SDLT
• AIT
• QIC
• DAT
• 9-track
• And many obscure or older media types. Our specialized tape recovery tools allow us to repair or reconstruct data even from damaged or outdated tapes.

Common issues include tape breakage, creasing, mold, degaussing, drive compatibility problems, checksum errors, or failed backups. In most cases, yes — data is recoverable. We use advanced diagnostic and reconstruction techniques to access readable sections and rebuild files, even from partially damaged media. Success depends on the damage extent, but our expertise maximizes chances.

1. Free evaluation (within 24 hours of receipt) — we assess the tape’s condition, compatibility, and recoverability using specialized readers and diagnostics.
2. Detailed quote — no-obligation, fixed price based on findings.
3. Recovery (upon approval) — repair physical issues if needed, reconstruct logical structure, and extract data.
4. Secure delivery — preview file list, then transfer to your chosen media (e.g., hard drive, cloud link). We apply the same “No Data, No Fee” guarantee: pay only if we successfully recover your data.

While tapes are not always handled in ISO Class 5 cleanrooms (unlike HDD), we use controlled environments, specialized tape drives, and proprietary tools to prevent further degradation. Our labs maintain high standards for all media types to ensure safe, precise recovery.

Free evaluation: within 24 hours.

Full recovery: typically several days to a few weeks, depending on tape condition, format complexity, data volume, and whether reconstruction is needed (e.g., multi-tape sets or severe damage). We’ll provide a realistic timeline in your quote.

Stop attempting to read it immediately (avoid further wear or errors). Do not try DIY fixes like cleaning or different drives, as this can worsen damage. Contact us at +1-844-347-5522 for 24/7 guidance, start a case online, and ship the tape(s) using our free shipping instructions/label for the best recovery outcome.

Yes — we commonly handle multi-tape backups, spanned archives, or entire tape libraries. We reconstruct spans, verify continuity, and extract complete datasets even if individual tapes have partial failures.

With nearly 20 years as tape recovery leaders, advanced specialized tools, and a proven track record, we offer higher success rates on complex/legacy formats. Combined with our No Data No Fee policy, free evaluation, 24/7 support, and worldwide service (local in St. Louis), we’re the trusted choice for critical tape backups.

Yes — physical failures (like clicking heads or seized motors) are common. Our cleanroom specialists open drives safely and use proprietary tools for platter-level recovery. Stop using the drive immediately to maximize success.

SSD failures (controller issues, NAND wear, firmware corruption) are recoverable in most cases using chip-off or advanced logical techniques. We handle all major brands and interfaces.

Yes — we specialize in ransomware recovery without paying the ransom. Our experts use advanced decryption tools (when available), shadow copies, secure backups, and forensic file-carving techniques to restore your data. Recovery success depends on the ransomware variant and the condition of available backups, but we always pursue the maximum possible recovery.

Yes — we handle complex RAID configurations (including RAID 5/6 parity rebuilds, degraded arrays, or multiple drive failures). Our engineers reconstruct virtual arrays and extract data even from severely damaged setups.

We maintain a high success rate through our advanced recovery labs and experienced engineers. Recent customer reviews consistently praise our fast communication, complete data recoveries, and trusted reliability.

Fill out our simple online form at disklab.co/new-case

Call +1-844-347-5522 (24/7 support)

Email: [email protected] (or via contact form)

We’re always available — data loss doesn’t wait, and neither do we.