Quick Guide
What you need to know and what to expect. Timelines, expectations, reality...
Quick Guide
GutenData 24
If you're unsure about something, it's better to ask. This is especially true when you don't have backups of your important data – or they're about to disappear.
In short, we have a Confidentiality Agreement in place.
The speed of recovery depends on the extent of damage, availability of donor parts (if needed), and technical capabilities. Based on past cases, we can give rough estimates – see the charts below.
Initial diagnostics means an inspection of the faulty drive by a specialist to identify the defect(s) and then advise the customer on timelines and cost. It does not involve donor parts or opening the HDD's hermetic zone (or SSHD) in a clean room. Initial diagnostics is free of charge.
Extended diagnostics involves a deeper inspection using donor parts, but without a full donor drive. If necessary, the hermetic zone may be opened to check head sliders or platters. This is used when initial diagnostics doesn't provide enough information. Extended diagnostics costs 1300 RUB.
Donor parts are consumables: electronic components (SMD capacitors, resistors, PWM controllers, etc.), connectors, or even the entire PCB.
A donor drive is a storage device with identical specifications and component base to the patient drive, used to temporarily restore functionality and extract data. This term originated in HDD recovery, but now also applies to SSDs.
The key point: donor parts and drives are paid for regardless of the outcome. Their cost is usually agreed upon before work begins.
Yes, we do offer an express service, which adds a 50% surcharge to the final cost. However, its applicability is limited by the nature of the damage. This service is typically suitable for: logical failures (formatting, deletion, viruses); service area issues (corrupted modules, translator rebuild); and certain head failures not caused by physical shock, drops, or stiction.
After our manager or specialist contacts you (by phone, email, or messenger – the one you specified in the receipt), you have 45 calendar days to collect your recovered data, original drive, and any used consumables. After this period, the recovered data, original drive, and consumables may be disposed of unless you inform us of any difficulties within the 45‑day window via the contact channels provided in your receipt.
Please use one of the messengers shown at the top of the page to get shipping instructions.
A data recovery lab is like a bonsai tree – it takes years to cultivate. Its operation depends on many factors: staff salaries, research (even minor investigations cost time), consumables, equipment, software licenses, and much more – and that's just the tip of the iceberg. If you're genuinely interested in supporting the industry, you can order your own hardware-software complex from manufacturers like Acelab or Soft-Center.
For everyone else who feels uncomfortable with the prices – welcome to the wild world of "1 ruble per gigabyte" ads on classifieds, where you'll find self‑proclaimed masters of data recovery. You get what you pay for.
Payment is required in three cases:
- After successful recovery and your acceptance of the results (remotely or in person – via report, screenshots, or at the office).
- After extended diagnostics if you decide not to proceed or recovery is technically unfeasible. Cost of extended diagnostics is 1300 RUB.
- When donor parts or a donor drive are used – paid regardless of the outcome.
Payment is not required:
- If the result is unsatisfactory and no donor parts were used – the recovered data is permanently deleted and not provided.
- If you decline to proceed after initial diagnostics or consultation (before cost agreement).
- If you cancel after cost agreement but before work actually begins and before any donor parts are consumed.
Every client receives an invoice and an acceptance certificate upon completion. You can pay by bank transfer using the details provided.
We do not accept card payments.
Lab Opening Hours
Looks like we have a lunch break!
Our Locations
Central office and drop‑off points.