Anybody purchased data recovery hardware?

computerfx said:
I am not familiar with rstudio, will check it out for sure. I just did my first successful ddrescue a couple weeks ago. It was not quick, but definitely got some data for a valued customer that I was not able to get using any other software. If I was going to save money and had to choose would you guys recommend getting the PC-3000 first or the Deepspar Disk Imager? Seems like most people go with the DDI, and then deal with data extraction once the drive has been cloned. Also I will ABSOLUTELY be sending work and referring to 300DDR from now on.
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Was this ever answered? I am trying to find out which would be a better first investment the PC-3000 or DDI (or does one really need to have both)?
 
CCWTechnology said:
Was this ever answered? I am trying to find out which would be a better first investment the PC-3000 or DDI (or does one really need to have both)?
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In this post, you wanted to compare Salvation Data and DDI, now you are comparing PC3000 and DDI. Rather than asking the same question in multiple threads, why not just stick to the your original thread? Once you answer my questions and I have a better idea of what you are trying to accomplish, I may be better able to answer your questions.
 
lcoughey said:
In this post, you wanted to compare Salvation Data and DDI, now you are comparing PC3000 and DDI. Rather than asking the same question in multiple threads, why not just stick to the your original thread? Once you answer my questions and I have a better idea of what you are trying to accomplish, I may be better able to answer your questions.
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Didn't see the reply (or get notified) my apologies. Continued in other thread.
 
My 2 Cents...

I agree with Luke for sure. Spinrite and HD Regenerator and all programs like that could possibly have the chance of helping you recover some data. However, the RISK involved in using these programs makes it out of the question for us (we care too much about our clients data). For more info, see our Spinrite page (I believe most/all is applicable for HD regen also):
http://www.300dollardatarecovery.com/spinrite.html

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As for PC3K or DDI, definitely go with DDI first. It will be easiest to learn and most helpful with majority or drives it could possibly work on (i.e. no firmware problem/pcb issue/things that make drive not ID properly).

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As for Salvation Data: I have the HD Doctor (Seagate, Maxtor, Hitachi, WD, Fujitsu) + Data Compass (with RAID option) if you want to buy it :) HDD will give you an idea of how to firmware works and DC is okay for making clones (but slow since USB 2) and make you want a pc3k :). The DC can also do RAIDs including some-what of an Auto-RAID parameter function (basically like Raid Reconstructor).

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As for software R-Studio is a great first investment.

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The Atola Insight may also be a good first choice, but it's about $9000 for the fast version. We don't have one, but are considering just to round out our high-end data recovery gear (we also have a portable clean room coming soon!). It's nice for a beginner because it has more "automatic" features than pc3k and includes a file recovery feature in the software (so no need for R-Studio). But, good for pros because I think you can do more manual stuff with firmware also (Luke would know better, I think he has one).
 
andcorptech said:
HDDRegen has paid for itself many times over for us. While im sceptical it can permanantly FIX a drive , its allowed us to get data from drives where we previously could not. So while there are other better , more expensive options, I wouldnt class it as a scam.
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I agree, I've actually used it on drives that would not image, you need patience though, it can take days to do its thing. Then I was able to image and get the data.
 
I just got Bootmed last week business was slow and I wanted something to play with it used to be $3.99 but just gone up to $9.99 for any updates for a year super nice guy in Brazil, money goes to charity

I was able to start a DDresue image in minutes its a front end no knowledge of linux needed

Also has PhotoRec it’s a carver type rescue looks for file types

It also as many other features like restoring a registry from backup
In Vista/win7 for those less inclined to do in manually
 
300DDR said:
...As for Salvation Data: I have the HD Doctor (Seagate, Maxtor, Hitachi, WD, Fujitsu) + Data Compass (with RAID option) if you want to buy it :) HDD will give you an idea of how to firmware works ...
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I just received my Atola Bandura yesterday and it's terrific. Too bad they discontinued the product, as it's perfect for computer repair shops. Now what's lacking, is hardware and knowledge to do firmware diagnostics and repair.

I've read nothing but disparaging comments about anything Salvation Data makes/sells, so your comment caught my eye. For those of us not in a position to shell out over $7,000 for a PC3K, is HDD a reasonable option, or a waste of money because it hasn't been updated in two years? (I have no plans to do RAID recoveries.)

What training or other educational resources can you recommend, if any? The whole DR field is the world's tightest-knit community and doesn't welcome competition or new-comers. No text books available except by registering for a course. The cheapest courses I can find are online and cost $2,000 or more. Talk about high barriers to entry!
 
Larry Sabo said:
I just received my Atola Bandura yesterday and it's terrific. Too bad they discontinued the product, as it's perfect for computer repair shops. Now what's lacking, is hardware and knowledge to do firmware diagnostics and repair.

I've read nothing but disparaging comments about anything Salvation Data makes/sells, so your comment caught my eye. For those of us not in a position to shell out over $7,000 for a PC3K, is HDD a reasonable option, or a waste of money because it hasn't been updated in two years? (I have no plans to do RAID recoveries.)

What training or other educational resources can you recommend, if any? The whole DR field is the world's tightest-knit community and doesn't welcome competition or new-comers. No text books available except by registering for a course. The cheapest courses I can find are online and cost $2,000 or more. Talk about high barriers to entry!
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I mean, people buy and use SD HDD, some people even like it. There is also a person on hddguru forum (ann leflore, if i remember correctly) who sells a great Seagate & WD English Manual for the SD HDD tools which she wrote. I think they are $200 each, but a GREAT learning tool for understanding the firmware on these manufacturers and common problems/solution. If you did buy HDD, I would HIGHLY recommend these manuals (she even updates them occasionally, every 1-2 years). Her manuals are MUCH more helpful/useful/readable than the ones that come with HDD. They even have some info/tips/thoughts that aren't in the PC3K manuals.

I'm surprised to hear HDD hasn't been updated for two years, doesn't sound right to me. Back when I used these tools (3-4 years ago), they were updating pretty frequently (I think several times a year, which is more than ACE/PC3K; that said, pc3k is still more up-to-date and SD is usually catching up).

SD HDD can do many things, fix many firmware problems if you know how to use it, just not "smoothly" like with pc3k. It's like driving a hyundai vs. ferrari. They can both get you to the same destination, but one will get you there faster and with less effort.
 
16k_zx81 said:
Omfg

,....................
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I just wet myself laughing.
4 little words is all it took.

Heavy duty recovery hardware is SO far beyond me price wise.

As for the freezer, as a last resort, I'd try anything.
Obviously, that's to get around a physical, internal sticking glitch.
AND THEN, only if the client is averse to shelling out for a recovery house to help.
 
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I was wondering the same thing, anybody tried Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery? I see it gets high ratings on top10 reviews
 
computerfx said:
I am not familiar with rstudio, will check it out for sure. I just did my first successful ddrescue a couple weeks ago. It was not quick, but definitely got some data for a valued customer that I was not able to get using any other software. If I was going to save money and had to choose would you guys recommend getting the PC-3000 first or the Deepspar Disk Imager? Seems like most people go with the DDI, and then deal with data extraction once the drive has been cloned. Also I will ABSOLUTELY be sending work and referring to 300DDR from now on.
Click to expand...

I've been using easeus imaging the last time it took 6 days to image the data from a 100 gb pata drive, now I've trying it on a 320 gb, it ran overnight but hardly made a dent, I switched to acronis to see if thats any faster. I've been using the programs boot cds, would it be faster to slave to drives and run the imaging programs from windows?
 
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If you want to image a failing hard drive, use professional data recovery imagers, such as DeepSpar Disk Imager or the software program, ddrescue.

The software programs you are currently using are skipping a lot of sectors and will leave very large holes in your recovery.
 
I think I convinced myself to get a DDI. Even if it took me 2 years to break even on it, I would call it a win. Money in the bank here in the us pays hardly any interest. If I add to it, I enjoy it like a hobby, now it seems like a great deal. I may keep progressing in my learning and may even make a little more money in it, better yet . I am unable to see a downside.
 
I bought an Atola Bandura to clone and recover data from bad sectors, and love it. Unfortunately for others, it's been discontinued. I have been reading about the DFL-DE imager and it sounds terrific and is much more capable--more like a DDI, I think. And the price is a steal, at $1,999 USD including free shipping for a very limited time. If I hadn't bought the Bandura, I'd have ordered one instead.

I'm not clear about its USB 2 interface--if that's to the target drive, that's an issue. I'm hoping the target drive is connected directly and the USB is just used for control of the imager. I need to read up on it to know.

Anyway, just another option.

Edit: The transfer speed for the DFL-DE is 1.8GB/min (USB 2.0) versus 6.8GB/min for the $2,999 DFL-DDP (Data Doctor Pro. USB 3.0) according to this comparison of features. So a 500GB drive would take 4.6hrs to clone on the DFL-DE vs 0.46 hrs on the DDP.
 
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