What services does Dr IT Services provide?

I provide a wide range of services including computer repair, laptop repair, and data recovery. My aim is to solve your tech problems efficiently and effectively.

How long have you been providing these services?

I, Vlad Tabaranu, have been providing these services since 2000. With over two decades of experience, I have the expertise to handle a wide range of tech issues.

What types of computers can you repair?

I can repair a wide range of computers, from desktops to laptops, and across different operating systems including Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

What does your laptop repair service include?

My laptop repair services cover everything from hardware issues like broken screens or faulty keyboards, to software issues such as virus removal, system upgrades, and much more.

What should I do if I've lost my data?

If you've lost your data, don't panic. I offer professional data recovery services and will do my utmost to recover your lost files.

How successful is your data recovery service?

While no data recovery can be guaranteed 100%, my extensive experience and the advanced tools I use give me a high success rate.

Are your services available in all of Birmingham?

Yes, I offer my computer and laptop repair services across the entire Birmingham region.

How long does a typical repair take?

The duration of a repair can vary depending on the issue. However, I always aim to provide a fast and efficient service.

Do you provide any guarantees on your repairs?

Yes, I stand behind the quality of my work and offer a guarantee on all of my repair services.

How can I contact Dr IT Services for a repair?

You can contact me by phone or email, or visit my shop in Birmingham. I'll be more than happy to assist you with your tech issues.

How much does it cost to repair your PC?

The cost varies depending on the problem and the service provider. On average, in the UK, it might cost around £50-£150.

Is it worth repairing a 10-year-old PC?

It depends on the cost of the repair and the performance of the PC. If the repair cost is high and the PC is significantly slower than newer models, it might be more cost-effective to replace it.

What is the average life of a PC?

The average lifespan of a PC tends to be around 5-7 years. However, with regular maintenance and upgrades, some can last for 10 years or more.

Is it cheaper to upgrade an old PC or buy a new one?

This depends on the upgrades needed. For minor upgrades like adding RAM or a new hard drive, it may be cheaper to upgrade. However, for significant upgrades like a new processor or motherboard, it might be more cost-effective to buy a new PC.

Can a PC last 12 years?

Yes, with proper maintenance and occasional upgrades, a PC can last 12 years or more. However, it might not be able to run newer software and applications that require more advanced hardware.

What is the lifespan of a motherboard?

A motherboard could last for 10 years or more with proper care. However, they can fail earlier due to factors like power surges, dust buildup, or manufacturing defects.

What is the average life of TVs?

On average, TVs can last between 5-10 years or more based on the usage and technology. Some higher-end models may last even longer.

How long does a PC take to repair?

The repair time can vary widely depending on the problem. Some repairs might be done in a few hours, while others could take several days.

How much does a motherboard repair cost?

The cost of a motherboard repair can vary widely. If the motherboard needs to be replaced, it can be quite costly, often making it more cost-effective to buy a new PC.

How much does it cost to fix a slow computer?

The cost can vary depending on the cause of the slowness. If it's due to software issues, it might be relatively inexpensive. If it's due to hardware issues, it might cost more.

How much does a hard drive repair cost?

Hard drive repair costs can vary widely, depending on the nature of the problem. If the hard drive needs to be replaced, the cost will include the price of the new hard drive and the labor to install it.

Can a computer last 20 years?

While it's technically possible for a laptop to last 20 years, it's quite unlikely due to the rapid advancement of technology and potential wear and tear. The average lifespan of a laptop is usually around 3-5 years, although with proper maintenance and upgrades, it can last longer.

Can a 10-year-old computer run Windows 10?

Yes, a 10-year-old computer can run Windows 10, but it depends on the specific hardware of the computer. The minimum hardware requirements for Windows 10 are a 1 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit, 16 GB hard drive space for 32-bit OS or 20 GB for 64-bit OS, and a DirectX 9 or later graphics card.

Can a laptop last 20 years?

While it's technically possible for a laptop to last 20 years, it's quite unlikely due to the rapid advancement of technology and potential wear and tear. The average lifespan of a laptop is usually around 3-5 years, although with proper maintenance and upgrades, it can last longer.

How do I bring my old laptop back to life?

To bring your old laptop back to life, you might want to consider upgrading the hardware (like RAM or storage), cleaning it physically and digitally (removing dust, unnecessary files, and malware), and reinstalling the operating system.

How much does PC repair cost UK?

The cost of PC repair in the UK can vary greatly depending on the nature of the problem, the cost of any necessary parts, and the rates of the service provider. On average, it could range from £50 to £150.

How much does a PC cost per hour UK?

I'm not sure what you mean by this. If you could provide more context, I would be able to give a more accurate answer.

How much does it cost to replace a hard drive UK?

The cost of a new hard drive in the UK can range from £30 to £100 depending on the capacity and type (HDD or SSD). The cost of professional installation can be an additional £50 to £100.

Will my PC break if it falls?

If a PC falls, there's a high probability that it could be damaged. The extent of the damage would depend on the height of the fall and the surface it falls onto. Components like the hard drive, screen, and motherboard can be particularly vulnerable.

How do you tell if a PC is damaged?

Symptoms of a damaged PC can include not starting up, frequent crashes or blue screens, unusual noises, slow performance, and distorted graphics.

How much does it cost to fix a computer that doesn't turn on?

The cost to repair a computer that doesn't turn on can vary greatly depending on the cause. It might be a simple fix like replacing a power cable, or more complex and expensive like replacing the power supply or motherboard. It could range from £50 to over £200.

Is it OK to leave my PC on 24/7?

While it's technically okay to leave your PC on 24/7, it can lead to increased electricity usage and potential wear on components. It's generally recommended to put your PC in sleep mode or turn it off when not in use for extended periods.

How much does it cost to leave a PC on 24/7?

The cost of leaving a PC on 24/7 depends on the power consumption of the PC and the electricity rate. On average, it could cost around £100 to £200 per year in the UK.

What uses the most electricity in a home?

In most homes, the biggest electricity users are heating and cooling systems, water heaters, and large appliances like refrigerators and washing machines.

Can an old hard drive be repaired?

Yes, an old hard drive can often be repaired, although it depends on the nature of the problem. Some issues like bad sectors or a corrupted file system can be fixed with software, while others like mechanical failures might require professional data recovery services.

Are old hard drives worth keeping?

Old hard drives can be worth keeping for backup or archival purposes, or to recover old files. However, they should be properly maintained and stored to prevent data loss.

Is it expensive to fix a hard drive?

The cost to repair a hard drive can vary greatly depending on the nature of the problem and whether professional data recovery is needed. It can range from free (for software fixes) to several hundred pounds for professional recovery.

What to do before bringing PC to repair?

Before bringing your PC for repair, back up any important data, remove any sensitive information or passwords, and provide the repair shop with any necessary passwords to access the system.

Can computer repair shops steal your data without a password?

While it's technically possible for a repair shop to access some data without a password, reputable repair shops should have policies in place to protect customer data. However, it's always a good idea to remove any sensitive data before a repair.

Should I give the computer repair my password?

If the repair shop needs to access your system to perform the repair, you might need to provide your password. However, you should only do this if you trust the repair shop, and you should change your password before and after the repair.

Is it safe to take my computer to a repair shop?

It's generally safe to take your computer to a reputable repair shop. However, you should always back up your data and remove any sensitive information before a repair.

Should I wipe my computer before repair?

If you're concerned about privacy, it can be a good idea to wipe your computer or at least remove any sensitive data before a repair. However, make sure to back up any important data first, as wiping the computer will erase everything.

Can computer technicians see your history?

Technically, yes, computer technicians could access your browsing history if they needed to. However, reputable technicians should respect your privacy and not access personal data unless necessary for the repair.

Can a laptop repair steal your data?

While it's technically possible for a dishonest repair person to steal data, reputable repair shops should have policies in place to prevent this. Always choose a trustworthy repair service, back up your data, and remove sensitive information before a repair.

What Is The Best Data Recovery Software? 2023 November

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If you’ve accidentally lost data from either your computer or an external hard drive, there are a few solutions to help get it back. Applications exist that can recover deleted files, restore partitions, and fix damaged hard drives.

However, not all free data recovery software is created equal. Some offer limited support and an unintuitive user interface, so it’s essential that you do your due diligence before investing in one.

Table of Contents

1. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is an efficient, user-friendly program for recovering lost or deleted files. It works on a variety of storage devices like hard drives, USB drives, external hard drives and memory cards.

Once downloaded and installed, you can select the drive or external storage device you wish to scan and begin a quick scan. Alternatively, use the “Filter” button to quickly filter specific file types.

Once the initial scan is complete, you can view the results on a preview screen. From there, select any desired files and save them to another secure location.

This software can recover files from formatted partitions or damaged operating system installations, making it a great option for saving valuable information from damaged PCs. Furthermore, it has the capacity to search through bootable media and drives encrypted with Microsoft BitLocker encryption.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard offers a free trial version that allows you to recover up to 2 GB of data. However, if more is required, customers can upgrade to the Pro version and take advantage of unlimited data recovery as well as customer support services.

2. Stellar Data Recovery

Stellar Data Recovery is an efficient yet user-friendly data recovery program. It offers a straightforward 3-step process for recovering deleted files and can be tailored to fit individual requirements – perfect for corporate users!

Its primary advantage over competitors is its high success rate for recovering lost or deleted files. This software can recover a wide range of file types from hard drives, memory cards, and external storage media.

Even if the initial scan doesn’t reveal all your files, the program can still perform a deep scan to locate any hidden or deleted data. This may take hours to complete, but is worth the extra effort if you need to recover files from a formatted or damaged drive.

The free version of Data Recovery Pro allows users to recover up to 1GB of data, but higher subscription tiers offer more sophisticated tools. For instance, the Professional version includes video repair support – an invaluable feature for videographers.

3. TestDisk

TestDisk is a free, open-source program that assists in fixing and recovering corrupt file systems and lost partitions. It supports more than 550 types of files across various file systems such as FAT, NTFS, exFAT and ext2/3/4.

Additionally, it repairs boot sectors and can undelete deleted files. Furthermore, it recovers damaged partition tables and directories.

TestDisk can be downloaded from its official website and unpacked, then double-clicking the testdisk executable file within. However, be aware that the command-line interface of this software may be confusing for those unfamiliar with its operation.

To use it, begin by selecting a storage device and configuring important scan parameters. This manual step-by-step process may take up to 24 hours before you can begin recovering your data.

Once the scan is complete, you will be presented with a list of lost/deleted files and folders. From here, you can browse to your desired items and copy them; once done, these copies should appear on your computer screen.

4. Puran File Recovery

Puran File Recovery is one of the premier data recovery applications for Windows, designed to assist in retrieving deleted or lost files due to corruption or deletion.

It is an impressive tool, capable of scanning all types of storage media such as hard drives, USB flash drives, CDs, DVDs and SD cards. Furthermore, the program supports various file systems and formats so you can restore files from any of these media types.

This free data recovery tool boasts an easy-to-use interface and powerful recovery engine. The Quick Scan feature quickly lists deleted files with just a click, while Deep Scan intelligently scans your drive byte by byte for results.

It can also create custom scan lists for a variety of file types. For instance, if you know that a particular file begins and ends with a specific set of bytes, then you can instruct it to search only for files with that exact size.

5. R-Studio

R-Studio is a data recovery software designed with IT experts, professionals, and computer forensic specialists in mind. However, with some training it can also be utilized by average users with minimal expertise.

One of the most impressive features of this program is its ability to recover deleted files from a hard drive even if they had been sent to the recycle bin – something most other tools lack.

It can be especially helpful if you have accidentally deleted important files or a folder. With this tool, it’s possible to retrieve those items and regain your lost information.

This free download supports various file formats and enables you to preview recovered files before restoring them. Furthermore, its user-friendly interface has been well received by many; many find it intuitive and enjoyable using it.

R-Studio is an ideal solution for those searching to recover files from a hard drive or other storage device. It is user friendly, provides numerous features, and works across various operating systems. Furthermore, R-Studio even comes with a demo version so you can test out its capabilities before buying.

6. R-Undelete

R-Undelete is a file recovery software designed to recover deleted files from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives and memory cards. It supports various file systems including FAT, exFAT, NTFS and ReFS.

If you need a program to recover deleted files from Windows computers, R-Undelete is your ideal option. It features an intuitive wizard-oriented interface that even novice users will find simple to use.

This program works on most disks and can scan those connected to a network. Additionally, it creates image files of entire hard drives and partitions which you can then copy onto another drive for backup purposes.

It is available in both free and licensed versions, both with a money-back guarantee. With it, you can undelete files ranging from photos and music to documents and emails with ease.

R-Undelete provides comprehensive search capabilities for lost files and estimates how likely it is to successfully restore them. It also features a file shredder to secure sensitive data, along with a log that displays which files were recovered and which weren’t.

7. Kickass Undelete

If you have accidentally deleted a file or had items from your recycle bin emptied, this application can help. It is a free and user-friendly program that will scan your hard drive, flash drive or SD card for all deleted documents.

Once the scan is complete, it will display all files found and provide information about their type, size, date modified and potential recovery prospects. Additionally, it tells you whether they are in excellent condition (with no data loss), good (with no partial overwriting of data) or bad (where some data has been lost).

This free application is lightweight and has a user-friendly interface, making it ideal for new users. It can be used to recover deleted data from USB drives, memory cards and all types of external storage devices including Windows-formatted hard drives.

Once you launch it, you’ll be greeted with a more comprehensive interface than other similar applications. The left column lists all partitions on your hard drive while the central part features an expansive scan button that can be clicked to begin searching for files that may be recoverable.

8. Data Rescue

Data Rescue is an incredibly versatile software program that can help you recover files and folders that have been accidentally deleted, corrupted, or reformatted. It works on both Windows and Mac computers and offers two paid plans to choose from: Basic for those on a budget and Pro for power users alike.

Data Rescue’s Standard version costs $99 and supports up to five drives, offering a Quick Scan, Deep Scan, as well as the capacity for finding duplicate files.

Clone also comes with a feature known as ‘Clone’ which creates an exact replica of the drive being used, improving its search capabilities. This can be invaluable when trying to resolve hardware problems or recover files from drives that are no longer mountable.

Data Rescue’s Professional version costs $299 and provides unlimited devices, faster scanning, and more advanced recovery options. It also enables ‘Quick Scan’ which uses directory info from the drive in case it fails to mount, as well as ‘Deep Scan’ which is more likely to locate any files lost due to hard drive failure or corruption.

Vlad Tabaranu

Vlad Tabaranu is a highly experienced computer and laptop repair engineer with over 20 years of expertise in the IT industry. Vlad's dedication to top-quality IT services has earned him significant recognition. He has been ranked among the top 3 computer repair services in Birmingham since 2018. He's also been awarded the Corporate LiveWire's Birmingham Prestige Awards 2019 for Best in Independent Computer Repair Services and the Central England Prestige Awards 2021/2022 for Computer Repair Service of the Year.