90.4 GB recovered from a BitLocker-protected Surface Pro 4
With the correct BitLocker key available, 90.4 GB was copied successfully and the completed job record counted 60,504 recovered files.
- data recovered
- 90.4 GB
- files copied
- 60,504
Laptop Data Recovery
Laptop data recovery at Datraction costs from £150 for logical faults on the internal drive, rising to £300–850+ where the drive itself, or a soldered storage chip, has failed physically. Standard turnaround is 5–10 working days, or 24 hours on the emergency tier. Standard diagnostics are free, and no recovery fee is due if we cannot recover useful data.
Start a free diagnosis
- Freestandard diagnosis
- No useful datano recovery fee
- Londonin-house laboratory
- 24 hoursEmergency target
Is the fault in the laptop or its storage?
A laptop that will not start may have a board, power, display, file-system or storage fault. We separate the layers before removing or stressing anything.
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No power or liquid damage
The laptop is dead, hot, corroded or stopped after a spill.
- Do this now
- Disconnect power and do not keep charging it.
- Likely lab route
- Board condition and the storage architecture are identified before a recovery route is chosen.
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Starts but does not boot
It shows repair screens, errors or remains on a loading screen.
- Do this now
- Do not reinstall Windows or run disk repair.
- Likely lab route
- The file system and storage health are assessed independently from the operating system.
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Slow, freezing or clicking
The laptop stalls, disconnects or makes mechanical drive noises.
- Do this now
- Shut it down and avoid further file-by-file copying.
- Likely lab route
- The storage is acquired through the safest route for its condition.
The storage route depends on the laptop
Some machines have a removable HDD or SSD. Others use soldered storage or encryption tied to the original board.
- Power and board
- Storage architecture
- Encryption
- Sector image
- Files
Removing storage is not automatically the safest first step.
What the initial inspection separates
Diagnosis is useful when it narrows the route and the limits. We state both before you approve recovery work.
What may be possible
- Direct acquisition from a removable HDD or SSD.
- Board-level work where soldered storage depends on the original laptop.
- File-system recovery after operating-system failure.
What can stop recovery
- Soldered or controller-bound storage can make the original board essential.
- Missing BitLocker credentials remain an encryption boundary.
- Overwritten, securely erased or electrically destroyed storage may be unrecoverable.
Why the original hardware matters
The device around the storage can be part of the recovery path, particularly where storage is soldered or encrypted.
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Why we open the case before we diagnose the drive
A laptop that will not turn on is not automatically a storage failure; the fault could sit in the power circuit, display or motherboard. Where the drive is removable, it can be assessed separately. Where storage is soldered and encrypted, diagnosis stays focused on the original board because its controller, processor and security hardware may all be needed to make the data readable.
Board-level fault tracing -
Working around soldered flash storage
Where storage is soldered directly to the motherboard, the correct route depends on its controller and encryption design. Board-level repair is often the safest first option because it preserves the original data path and keys. Direct flash access is only useful on supported, non-encrypted designs where the controller's mapping can be reconstructed; it is not a universal way around a dead laptop or a missing encryption key.
Hot-air rework · component removal
Cases from the bench
Real cases show the fault, the decisions made and where the result stopped. They are evidence, not a promise that every device behaves the same way.
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271 GB recovered from a 2013 MacBook Air
A new external disk was obtained for the return copy and 271 GB of recovered MacBook data was written to usable media.
- data recovered
- 271 GB
- recorded turnaround
- ≈ 2 weeks
Customer identities and ticket references have been removed. Images show Datraction laboratory methods and are not presented as photographs of the archived customer device.
What happens to your laptop
From first description to returned files, each stage has a clear decision and an agreed commercial limit.
View the complete recovery process-
Your enquiry
Tell us what happened
Describe the device, the failure and the files you need. We give you an initial price range before it is sent or dropped off.
Price range before arrival
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Lab diagnosis
We inspect it — free
An engineer identifies the fault, assesses complete and useful partial recovery, then prepares a written price or agreed range.
Fault, prospects and commercial limit confirmed
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Your decision
You approve the recovery
We explain the proposed work and timing. Recovery starts only after you have accepted the quote.
No work starts without consent
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Secure return
Your files come back
Recovered data is copied to suitable return media and sent back with your original device.
No recovered data, no recovery fee
Recovery priority
How fast do you need your data back?
The engineering process and level of care stay the same. A faster service moves your case forward in the lab queue.
Turnaround starts when the device reaches our laboratory.
- 01
Standard
5–10 working days
Targets recovery and return within 5–10 working days of the device reaching our lab, subject to diagnosis, parts and media condition.
Recovery price Included - 02
Express
3–5 working days
Prioritises the case and targets 3–5 working days from arrival, subject to diagnosis, parts, media condition and data volume.
Priority surcharge +40% - 03
Emergency
24 hours
Gives the case highest queue priority and targets 24 hours from arrival when the fault, parts, media condition and data volume allow it.
Priority surcharge +70%
Questions about laptop
01 What if I cannot remember my laptop password?
A Windows login problem is different from full-disk encryption. If BitLocker or another encryption system protects the storage, recovery still requires the correct recovery key or password. We can repair or image faulty hardware, but proof of ownership does not create a technical bypass for properly encrypted data.
02 How soon will I get my recovered data?
This depends on the urgency of the situation. Our basic service takes 5 to 10 working days. However, our emergency laptop data recovery service aims to reunite you with your data in just 24 hours.
03 Can you recover data from very old laptops?
Possibly. Age alone does not determine the result, although old interfaces, worn media and unavailable donor parts can make a case slower. We identify the storage type and condition before deciding whether direct imaging, drive repair or work on the original laptop is appropriate.
04 Can you recover data from every laptop?
No. The result depends on the storage device, the fault, encryption and whether data has been overwritten. We diagnose those factors before quoting and explain whether a complete or useful partial recovery appears possible.
05 How much does laptop data recovery cost?
Standard diagnostics are free, so you find out what is wrong before approving recovery. Logical faults start at £150; drive or board-level recovery usually runs from £300 to £850+, with unusual cases quoted individually. Express service adds 40% and Emergency adds 70%. If we cannot recover useful data, there is no recovery fee.
Tell us what happened
Describe the device, the symptom, what has already been tried and which files matter most. We will tell you the safest next step.
Prefer to speak to someone? 020 8543 7088
Already asked to send the device? Follow the packing and delivery checklist.