Case Studies

Case Studies

Case Studies: For last 25 years we have helped hundreds of clients and also teach them whys and wherefores of the loss of data. We have extensive knowledge of issues about data recovery and our cases studies show that all.
Case Studies
Case Study 1:

iMac G4 Not Booting Up

Issue

The client encountered an issue with their iMac G4, which failed to boot properly. Instead of reaching the login screen, the system displayed a sad face, followed by a question mark alongside a grey folder. Despite multiple restart attempts, the same sequence of the sad face and question mark persisted. The client, an accountant, had 52 accounts stored on the system in Excel and Sage Accounts format, making immediate data recovery a necessity.

Our Solution

The hard drive was received and diagnosed with an electronic failure in the PCB (the electronic board on the back of the hard drive). The defective PCB was replaced with one from our stock of 20,000 parts. The firmware code was updated, and the hard drive was imaged. The data was successfully extracted and uploaded to our download service, as the client required the data urgently. 100% of the data was recovered, and all account-related information was verified as complete.

* If you have accounts on a Mac and need it recovered quickly please contact us for details of our critical data recovery service.

Case Study 2:

Failed Rebuild on a Buffalo Linkstation

Issue

The client has been using the Buffalo LinkStation as the office file server for several years. Two years ago, a disk required replacement on the system; the disk was replaced, and the system successfully rebuilt the data without issues, functioning well ever since. However, while the system operated normally this morning, by the afternoon, the Buffalo LinkStation was no longer visible on the reception computer. Typically, all files and folders are accessible directly from this computer. Currently, only the “Users tab and a “Local Users” tab are visible in the user interface, with no other options available. The client attempted various measures to have the Buffalo LinkStation recognized, but none were successful.

Our Solution

We received the Buffalo LinkStation NAS system and determined that it was a RAID 5 configuration with four 750GB hard drives. Two of the drives failed our SMART tests. Further diagnostics revealed that the RAID data set was corrupted, likely due to a rebuild attempt performed before we received the system for recovery. Upon consulting the owner, they confirmed that they had initiated rebuild, which failed 2%. We imaged all disks, reconstructed and rebuilt the data parity subsequently backed up the recovered data onto a 4TB external hard drive for a complete recovery.

* If you have had a failed Raid 5 Rebuild, contact us today as we have 15 years experience in recovering from failed rebuilds.

Case Study 3:

HP Server Failed Rebuild

Issue

An 8-disk RAID 5 HP server with 2 hot spares was being utilized as a file server to store 2TB of business data for 100 factory staff. One day, the server unexpectedly froze and required a manual reboot. After the reboot, the HP server failed to start. Upon accessing the RAID setup, it was discovered that one disk had failed. Although the hot spare should have activated automatically, it did not. Consequently, the client manually selected one of the hot spares and initiated a rebuild. After the rebuild reached 100% completion, the server rebooted but still failed to start. The client brought the server their IT maintenance company, which services their servers and desktop computers. However, the maintenance company was unable to recover the data and referred the matter to us.

Our Solution

We got the 10 raid 5 disks in and diagnosed them. Since then another 2 disks have degraded for a total of 3 disks that had failed in the raid array. We completed a platter swap on the 3 damaged disks and processed the raid system within 48 hours.

* We are HP Raid Recovery Experts, call us today for expert advice.

Why Choose Cardiff Data Recovery?

  • Fixed pricing on recovery (You know what you are paying - no nasty surprises).
  • Quick recovery turnaround at no extra cost. (Our average recovery time is 2 days).
  • Memory card chip reading services (1st in the UK to offer this service).
  • Raid recoding service (Specialist service for our business customers who have suffered a failed server rebuild).
  • Our offices are 100% UK based and we never outsource any recovery work.
  • Strict Non-disclosure privacy and security is 100% guaranteed.

Micky Mellon, Adamsdown, Cardiff

My SD card corrupted and all of my pictures were lost from a photoshoot I had done. I looked for photo recovery experts and found Cardiff Data Recovery, and all I had to do was pop it in the post for them to fix. In under a week I had all my files back which was just outstanding service.

Micky Mellon, Adamsdown, Cardiff

Ely Williams, Wales, UK

Tony and the Cardiff Data Recovery team did an excellent job of recovering file data that others considered lost and unrecoverable. Luckily I clearly found the most capable Data Recovery Service as in just a few days I got a USB Storage device with all my deleted files.

Ely Williams, Wales

Ben Thornhill, Caerphilly, UK

There were years worth of my irreplaceable Pictures and Videos on my Windows computer which had a boot error. I tried some recovery discs but had no luck. Cardiff Data Recovery salvaged my files within 48 hours and backed up onto a USB stick for me. Thanks for recovering my data, a truly remarkable service.

Ben Thornhill, Caerphilly

Jane Heath, Merthyr Tydfill, UK

I switched on my Dell laptop to see a message that all of my files were encrypted and I had to pay to get them back. Rather than give in to these horrible people I contacted Cardiff Data Recovery. They took control and said they could remove the ransomware and get all of my files back for me. Not only did they fully recovered my data files on my laptop, but they also cleaned all the viruses and malware off, and installed some reputable anti-virus for me to complete the perfect service. I know who I’d give my money to again in this circumstance.

Jane Heath, Merthyr Tydfill

Claire Ramsey, Barry, UK

Many thanks to Cardiff Data Recovery and your data recovery engineers on the recent recovery of the HP RAID-5 data belonging to our client.

Claire Ramsey, Barry

Gwen Jones, Newport, UK

Great result guys. You truly delivered as promised. I got a no way to recover my files anywhere else. But you guys recovered the data for me.

Gwen Jones, Newport

Arthur Canton, Cardiff, UK

Cardiff Data Recovery UK are a very polite and professional team. My Hitachi external drive had stopped working, and their expert data recovery service recovered every single one of our precious file data in rapid time. Thank you for your help.

Arthur Canton, Cardiff