Instructions for customers across the Czech Republic
How to ship a hard drive (HDD/SSD) or phone
Not in Brno? No problem. Via Zásilkovna or your own parcel to Brno-Židenice — here's a complete guide on how to safely pack and ship your drive or phone.
Would you like to recover data from a hard drive, external drive, or mobile phone but don’t live near Brno? No problem. The following guide describes how to safely send a drive or phone to our lab. Then you won’t have to worry about whether it arrives intact.
Packing step by step
Pack the drive or phone well. Ideally in an anti-static bag or aluminium foil, and place it in bubble wrap (at least 5 cm on each side).
1. First, place the drive in an anti-static bag (or aluminium foil) to protect against electrostatic discharge.
Line the box you’ll use to ship the drive/phone with soft material as well, so the contents cannot move during transport.
2. Then wrap the drive in bubble wrap on all sides — a layer at least 5 cm thick.3. Place it in a sturdy cardboard box that you’ve lined with soft material.
Use a sturdy cardboard box (not an envelope, not a thin box).
4. Seal the box well with tape; the drive inside must not move.
Mark the shipment with a „FRAGILE" label.
5. Affix a prominent "KŘEHKÉ" / "FRAGILE" sticker and alert the carrier.6. Done — the shipment is ready to drop off at a carrier location (Zásilkovna, PPL).
What to enclose
Include a card with the following details with the prepared shipment:
Your first and last name
Email and phone number
Which data you want to recover (e.g. documents, photos, names of specific folders)
How the device failure occurred (drop, improper disconnection, water…)
If applicable, whether the device has already been to another data recovery lab
The more detailed the information, the more accurate the diagnosis.
If you have already filled out the inquiry form and selected the „I want to arrange a pickup" option, you will receive a label for a free Zásilkovna pickup by email. Simply follow the instructions in the email — affix the label to the shipment and drop it off at any Zásilkovna location.
Don’t forget: If the drive is physically damaged (after a drop, liquid spill, fire, or if it makes unusual sounds), do not connect it to power before shipping. Every power-up worsens the condition. See first aid after a failure.
How much does data recovery from an HDD hard drive cost?
For logical faults (deletion, formatting, an unbootable system) from 2,900 CZK. For a mechanical fault requiring a head replacement in the clean chamber, typically 9,900–18,900 CZK. We tell you the exact price after a free diagnosis. If the recovery fails, you pay nothing apart from any shipping costs.
How long does data recovery take?
For logical faults 1–3 working days. For mechanical faults 5–14 days depending on complexity and the availability of spare parts (donor drives of the same model). For RAID reconstruction 7–21 days depending on the number and condition of the member drives.
My drive is clicking. What should I do?
Disconnect it from power immediately. Every further power-on damages the platters and lowers the chance of recovery. Clicking is almost certainly a mechanical fault of the heads — no software will help; the drive needs to be opened in a clean chamber and the read mechanism replaced. Call us on +420 775 556 063 and we will diagnose it within 24 hours.
Can I use a data-recovery program from the internet?
Only if the drive is physically healthy and it is a logical fault (deletion, formatting). In other cases such programs harm the drive — they repeatedly try to access it, which worsens its mechanical condition. For serious cases, bring the drive straight to us instead; diagnostics is free.
What about confidentiality? What happens to my data?
Before opening the device we sign a written non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Only we process your data; nothing is sent abroad. After we hand over the recovered data, we guaranteed wipe every copy from our stage storage (DoD 5220.22-M wipe).
Can you recover data from an encrypted drive (BitLocker, FileVault)?
Yes, provided you have the recovery key or password. Without the key, encrypted data is mathematically unrecoverable. That is why it is important to store the recovery key off the drive (a printout, a Microsoft account, a USB stick). Without it we can recover the structure, but not the contents of the files.
Can you handle a RAID 5 where two drives have failed?
Yes, in many cases. A RAID 5 with two failed drives is not reconstructable in the traditional way, but if the second drive has not died completely, some data can be recovered from it and the array rebuilt. Success depends on which sectors are readable on each drive. Contact us as soon as possible — do not clone the array yourself, as that complicates matters.
Where should I send or bring the drive?
Our premises at Viniční 3587/216, 615 00 Brno-Židenice. Open Mon–Fri 10:00–16:00. If you send it by post, use good packaging (the original box + bubble wrap + a cardboard box). We accept Zásilkovna and PPL.
What if I'm in a hurry and need it within 48 hours?
We have an express mode with a 50–100% surcharge. Tell us your deadline up front in the enquiry and we will say whether it is technically feasible to make it (for mechanical faults it often is not, because of the wait for a donor drive).
Is it really free if the recovery fails?
Yes, for standard HDD/SSD/RAID/NAS/USB cases with a mechanical, electronic, firmware or logical fault (deletion, formatting, ransomware). Diagnostics for these is free and the no recovery — no fee principle applies. There are two exceptions: diagnostics of mobile devices (a flat 1,000 CZK, always) and a targeted search for a specific named file (1,000 CZK, deducted from the job price on a successful recovery). See the following questions.
How much does diagnostics of a phone or tablet cost?
Diagnostics of mobile devices is 1,000 CZK — always, as a flat fee. Phones are generally more demanding for data recovery — we deal with chip-off, decryption and proprietary systems (Apple T2/M1/SE, Samsung Knox). Diagnostics includes an initial assessment of whether your data can be recovered from the given model at all. For phones the fee is not deducted.
I need to find one specific file — how much does that cost?
If we are looking for a specific named file (e.g. 'presentation_final.pptx', 'tax return 2024.pdf', 'family holiday photo'), we charge 1,000 CZK for targeted diagnostics and a targeted scan. On a successful recovery the amount is deducted from the total job price. If it is general data recovery from a deleted or formatted drive (without a specific file), the standard price list applies with no diagnostic fee and the no recovery — no fee principle. In both cases: write nothing further to the drive, as every write lowers the chances.
