Data recovery FAQ: answers to your questions
Find answers from our specialists to the most frequently asked questions about data recovery: hard drive failures, SSD, RAID, USB drives, pricing, turnaround times and process. SOS Data Recovery (Tesweb SA), Swiss specialist since 2006 with over 10,000 cases handled, answers your questions.
Why consult our data recovery FAQ?
Our technicians answer the most frequently asked questions about hard drive, SSD, RAID, NAS, USB drive and memory card failures. Each answer is based on over 10,000 cases handled since 2006 and regularly updated. If you cannot find the answer to your question, contact us — free diagnosis within 3 hours.
How is the data recovery price calculated?
The cost depends on the type of media (hard drive, SSD, RAID, USB drive, etc.) and the nature of the failure (logical or physical). No recovery, no fee. In case of failure, only the attempt fee will be charged.
How long does data recovery take after the quote is approved?
Complete data recovery varies from 1 to 3 days for a logical failure, to 3 to 10 days for a complex physical failure. A 24/7 emergency service is available on request for critical cases (failed servers, legal deadlines, etc.).
My phone won't turn on anymore — is the data recoverable?
In the vast majority of cases, yes. A smartphone that no longer starts does not mean that the data is lost. The memory chip (eMMC/UFS) that stores your photos, contacts, and applications is separate from the processor and faulty power components.
Common causes of a phone that won't turn on include:
- Faulty or depleted battery — data is intact
- Damaged motherboard (drop, overheating) — recovery possible by chip extraction
- Corrupted software (failed update, rooting) — recovery via recovery mode or direct extraction
- Water damage — see the appropriate emergency procedure
Our technicians first assess the cause of the failure, then choose the appropriate extraction method (JTAG, ISP, or chip-off for the most complex cases).
What is the difference between a logical and a physical failure?
A logical failure affects the file system or the data itself (accidental deletion, formatting, corruption, virus). The storage device functions normally, but the files are inaccessible. A physical failure affects the hardware components (read/write heads, motor, memory chips, connector). The storage device does not start, makes abnormal noises, or is no longer detected. A physical failure requires intervention in an ISO 5 cleanroom environment.