Data recovery in Birmingham is expertly handled by Dr IT Services, your trusted specialist for retrieving lost files from HDDs, SSDs, RAID arrays, USB flash drives, SD/microSD cards, smartphones, and servers. With over 25 years’ experience and CompTIA A+ certification, we ensure secure, GDPR-compliant handling from start to finish. No data, no fee.
After-hours emergency triage available by arrangement.
Data recovery — what to do immediately
- Shut down the device — do not run CHKDSK, fsck, or First Aid.
- Do not attempt to open the drive; internal exposure can destroy data.
- Label RAID/NAS drives in order and bag them separately.
- For urgent issues, see Emergency IT Repair.
- Record the symptoms (e.g., clicking, not detected) and call 07405 149 750.
Data recovery scenarios we handle daily
- Deleted file recovery after accidental Recycle Bin emptying.
- Formatted drives, RAW partitions, lost MBR/GPT layout.
- Clicking hard drives, motor failures, damaged PCBs.
- SSD & NVMe failures: 0 MB, firmware lock, power loss.
- RAID & NAS rebuild failures (SHR, mdadm, ZFS, LVM).
- USB and SD cards: RAW mode, controller issues, monolithic recovery.
- Phone recovery from water damage, boot loops, photo/WhatsApp retrieval.
- Encrypted drives: BitLocker, FileVault, VeraCrypt (with access keys).
Our proven data recovery process
- Free diagnostics: logical and hardware-level assessment; cleanroom referrals if needed.
- Scope & pricing upfront: no surprises, clear timelines, full GDPR chain-of-custody.
- Imaging-first policy: forensic imaging with write blockers; RAID reconstruction & file carving.
- Secure return: verified files on encrypted media; return shipping options available.
Devices we recover data from
- HDDs: Seagate, WD, Toshiba, Samsung — SMART, heads, firmware issues.
- SSDs: Samsung, Kingston, SanDisk, Crucial — NAND/controller, firmware, chip-off.
- RAID/NAS/Servers: Dell PERC, HP Smart Array, LSI HBA; logical & physical recovery.
- Virtual Machines: VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox — VMDK, VHDX, recovery & mount.
- Phones & tablets: iPhone, iPad, Android — APFS/ext4 targeted extraction.
File systems and data types we support
| Platform | File Systems | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, ReFS | Documents, PST/OST, SQL |
| macOS | APFS, HFS+, Time Machine | Photos libraries, iTunes, backups |
| Linux | ext4, XFS, Btrfs, ZFS | VMs, databases, containers |
| NAS Protocols | SMB, NFS, CIFS | Shared drives, user homes |
- Business-critical recovery: Exchange, SQL, QuickBooks, CAD.
- Recovery methods: firmware repair, write-blocked imaging, ISO Class 5 cleanroom, JTAG/ISP (where supported), RAID virtual reassembly.
- Supported backups: Time Machine, Backblaze, Acronis, Veeam, OneDrive, Google Drive.
- Nationwide logistics: Royal Mail Tracked or courier; encrypted return drives optional.
Data recovery pricing — no data, no fee
| Service | From (£) | Typical Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Deleted File Recovery | 50 | Same day |
| Formatted Drive Recovery | 100 | 1–2 days |
| SSD & NVMe Recovery | 200 | 2–4 days |
| RAID/NAS Recovery | 300 | 3–7 days |
| Phone/Tablet Recovery | 95 | 1–3 days |
Payment: cash or bank transfer (cards via website only). Mail-in: UK-wide, encrypted return media available.
Why Dr IT Services for data recovery?
- 25+ years of experience with Birmingham clients and UK mail-ins.
- Class 5 cleanroom partners for mechanical recovery and chip-level work.
- Honest success rates and transparent estimates.
- Encryption, NDAs, and consent-led process for sensitive data.
- We image first and never work directly from your original storage.
Data recovery FAQs
- Can you recover a clicking HDD? Yes. Power it down. Mechanical recovery may be possible in a cleanroom via partners.
- Do you recover encrypted drives? Yes, with the recovery key or credentials for BitLocker, FileVault, or VeraCrypt.
- Can you recover water-damaged phones? Often, if internal memory is intact. Specialist tools are required.
- Do you work on RAID failures? Yes — RAID 0/1/5/6/10, NAS/SAN systems, controllers like Dell PERC, HP Smart Array, and LSI.
Learn more
Explore core terms: RAID, NTFS, APFS, ext4, GDPR.
Data recovery service areas
We offer data recovery across Birmingham including Harborne, Edgbaston, Selly Oak, Moseley, Kings Heath, Erdington, Bearwood, and more. See all areas: Areas We Cover
Dr IT Services – Data Recovery Birmingham415 Court Oak Road, Harborne, Birmingham, B32 2DX
Tel: 07405 149 750 • Email: contact@dr-it.co.uk
Hours: Tue–Fri 08:00–20:00, Sat 10:00–17:00
