Your server refuses to boot, RAID array offline, database is corrupted, and/or virtualisation host down? We recover all servers including Dell, HPE, Lenovo and every other manufacturer: Windows Server, VMware and Hyper-V. Every single hard drive is imaged and the array rebuilt off the hardware for recovery of data, never working on your originals. Encryption rather than failure? Server ransomware recovery is also performed using the same bench.
If you have a server that will not boot or if the RAID array has been made offline, or a RAID rebuild process is stalled: stop. Do not allow the rebuild, re-initialise or re-sync process to continue and write over the very data needed for recovery. Allow the server to shut down and then label each drive as coming from which bay and contact us. Most often the drives themselves will last longer than their associated servers and the initial pass at recovering data is always going to be the safest.
Between a server that will not boot and a corrupted database, here are the commonest type of server failures we see and recover from: hardware, RAID, operating system, database.
We support every type of server hardware and software: Dell, HPE, Lenovo/Supermicro/etc., Windows/Linux/VMware/Hyper-V, RAID/non-RAID. The method is simply based upon which type of server you’re running (hardware/software) rather than if we’ll be able to assist.
Dell PowerEdge, HPE ProLiant, Lenovo ThinkSystem, Supermicro, Fujitsu PRIMERGY and Cisco UCS · tower, rack and blade · Windows Server, Linux, VMware ESXi and Hyper-V · Dell PERC and HP Smart Array RAID · SQL Server, Exchange and Active Directory · SAS, SATA and NVMe.
Regardless of what your server is doing when we receive the disk(s), server recovery is simply getting to the data on those disks. When you ship us the disks we build back any RAID arrays using read-only images of the original disks. Then we restore the OS, VMs, databases & files (never touching your originals).
Please provide the server details (make & model, RAID configuration, etc.) and describe what went wrong with that server. We will then review the server information and provide you a detailed written quote for the recovery project usually within 48 hours. If possible, please label the original drive bay order before removing anything from the server.
We create a non-destructive, read-only image of each hard drive in the server (including failing ones) using specialist imaging equipment. All of our work takes place on duplicate images of your original drives. Your original drives remain untouched throughout this process.
In cases when a hard drive fails physically (mechanically) or electrically (electronically), we will attempt to repair that drive (swapping heads, rebuilding the board) to allow an image to be taken of it. Repairing at hard drive level requires 50% payment at time of job initiation prior to beginning the physical repairs. Once repaired and imaged we proceed with recovering your data.
When working with servers configured with RAID configurations, we will recreate the exact RAID configuration (stripe size, parity settings, disk sequence, etc.) utilising the images we took of each of your original disks. The rebuilt RAID array will match the original configuration of the server’s controller hardware.
Next, we will recover the original file systems and contents stored on those file systems (file shares, virtual machines, SQL/Exchange databases, Active Directory, etc.). Additionally, we will repair corrupted file systems/databases where necessary. Lastly, we will identify the most reliable version of the recovered data.
Before returning your data to you, we verify each restored volume/database/virtual machine is fully accessible/openable and complete.
Finally, we deliver your recovered data to you on newly purchased storage media which is sized to match your original server. This ensures your recovered data can be easily restored onto your existing infrastructure.
Regardless of manufacturer (Dell, HPE, Lenovo, etc.), operating system (Windows Server, VMware & Hyper-V), and regardless of the type of RAID configuration used by your server, we recover all types of servers by taking images of every single hard drive in your server and recreating the array/rebuilding the entire OS and workload environment from these images, so a dead server never means lost data.
Tell us what happened and we will get back to you, usually within one working day.
We will be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, call 0117 332 1137.
Clear, tiered pricing for server recovery: diagnostic is free & you get a price quote in writing before we do anything.
Examples (names removed, results verified) of recent successful server recoveries: offline arrays; won’t boot machines; corrupt databases; virtualisation hosts.
We imaged all six disks as two of them had crashed, then we rebuilt the RAID and brought back on line both the file share and SQL databases.
Although the board had failed, the drives were good. We rebuilt the RAID and were able to bring up all of the virtual machines (VMs).
The RAID itself was good however the Exchange database had been corrupted. We made a full image copy of the mirror drive for Exchange and were able to recover and repair the mailbox store.
In this case, during the rebuild process some data on the original RAID had been partially over-written. Therefore, we took an image of each of the disks, then re-built it using those images and were able to recover all the VMFS datastore and associated VMs.
Due to a failure in the SSD controller, we were unable to read or write to the SSD that housed the sites and databases. Fortunately, we were able to recover the NAND from the SSD and build the file systems back out again which allowed us to get the sites back online and access their databases.
Little of the data was overwritten. We recreated the RAID and restored the lost volume along with the lost share.
True client testimonials from our two-decade archive.
We had a Qnap Raid 5 eight disk system. Two of the hard disk failed, we replaced disks and attempted a rebuild. After rebuild completed system would not start. We had business critical accounts, SQL Database and Exchange Database on Qnap server. Bristol Data Recovery provided us with reassurance from the start that they could recover the data. They got the system in on Thursday and we downloaded the SQL and Exchange files from them on Sunday afternoon so all staff could work as normal on Monday. 1st class customer service.
Send us your device for a no-obligation free diagnostic and let us know what went wrong. One of our engineers will inspect it and confirm your exact quote in writing prior to doing any work.
To get started with recovering your data, first get your device to us. Wrap it securely, write your contact details on a slip of paper inside the package, include a brief description of what happened and post it to us. After running a complimentary diagnostic we will write to you confirming the exact price prior to starting work.
Do you want to post the device to us? We highly recommend using a trackable postal service with insurance. Would you prefer to deliver it yourself? That’s fine too. Our office hours for accepting deliveries are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. Please make sure to wrap the device as described previously.
Need some additional information regarding our data recovery services? Fill out the form and provide further detail about your problem and one of our engineers will review it and offer you a personalised quote.
We’ll be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, call 0117 332 1137.
These are the top questions we get about recovering a server.
Normally, yes. A server will not boot or POST properly due to a board, power supply or controller issue; however, there should be nothing wrong with the drive(s) holding your data. When we receive the drives from you, we will recreate any RAID arrays and recover your data. Therefore, it is very rare for a dead server to stop recovery efforts.
Yes. Most servers use a RAID configuration to store data, and we can recover failed RAID configurations (i.e., multiple bad disks, a failed rebuild, or a dead controller), by reading each disk in read-only mode and then recreating the original RAID configuration from those reads. Do not allow the server to rebuild or re-initialise the RAID configuration before sending us your drives!
Yes. We also restore and repair both ESXi and Hyper-V host failures when either the failure is related to hardware, RAID, or datastore. After rebuilding your storage environment, we will repair your VMFS, CSV or NTFS file system and recover your virtual machines (VMDKs & VHDXs) as well as the data contained within.
In most cases, yes. We have successfully recovered and repaired SQL Server, Exchange and Oracle databases from various types of problems including failed RAID configurations, corrupted volumes or deleted stores using the drives from a given server. After rebuilding your storage environment and extracting your database files, we will repair your databases to allow you to once again access your data and email.
Single drive/mirrored servers start at £500 + VAT. RAID servers (RAID 5/6/10) start at £800 + VAT. Pricing varies based upon how many disks were involved in the RAID configuration and what type of work needs to be performed to complete your recovery project. All projects begin with a complimentary diagnostic session and written quote. As such, in most cases you only pay if we recover your data.
Most often yes. However, when there is need for a drive-level repair, we require a 50% deposit prior to performing the repair work. And, you are only required to pay the remaining 50% after successful recovery of your data. This protects you in case we are unable to successfully recover your data.
All servers, regardless of brand (Dell PowerEdge, HPE ProLiant, Lenovo ThinkSystem, Supermicro, Fujitsu etc.) or model (tower, rack or blade) running either Windows Server, Linux, VMware or Hyper-V. The way the recovery process will proceed depends upon the type of server you have, not whether it is possible to recover your data.
Only the disks. We don’t take the disks out of the server or RAID device. Take them out for us and send all disks, including those that are dead. Mark each disk as to where they were located in the server/RAID system. It’s a matter of labelling each disk by bay location; this will allow us to rebuild the array and retrieve your data; we do not require the chassis and/or controllers.
Yes usually. Although a failed domain controller may no longer function, the drives still contain its Active Directory database. Once we obtain the drives, we can rebuild the array and extract both the Active Directory database and system state so you can restore your directory.
The process for recovering data from a server typically takes 3 to 4 working days when using one hard drive or a mirrored server. When you are using multiple disk RAID servers, this timeframe may be longer based upon how many disks there are to recover, as well as if any require drive-level repair. Typically, all free diagnostics will have been completed within 48 hours; however, priority can often be given to an immediate business case.
Please remove the hard drives from the server prior to sending them to us (we do not remove hard drives from a server or RAID device). Clearly label each individual drive by its position in the server (bay #) and package them so they cannot knock into each other. The drives can be dropped-off at our Bristol location Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. They can also be posted to us via a fully-insured method. We would like to receive the following information along with the drives so that we can confirm receipt and provide a quote before any work has begun: your name, company, address, phone number & email.
Receive a free diagnosis with tiered pricing starting at £500. In most cases you only pay if we recover your data. Every server is recovered off the hardware, regardless of the brand or model (Dell, HPE) or operating system (Windows Server, VMware). Begin your data recovery now.