Stop using the drive. That is the first thing we tell anyone who has just lost the photos folder or a year of invoices, because every new save can make recovery harder.
Then we look at what actually failed: a deleted file, a laptop that will not boot, an external drive that clicks. PC Scientist assesses the damage for Central Coast homes and small businesses, explains the realistic options and cost before anything goes further, and sets up backup afterwards so the next scare is smaller.
Central Coast families and small desks panic when photos, quotes, or years of mail disappear from a drive that will not mount. PC Scientist assesses recovery pathways and talks through backup so the next failure is smaller.
You only need to pick one of the three. There is no pressure and no technical language required. If you are not sure, Call for Free Advice is often the quickest way to explain what is going on.
A drive that will not open in Gosford, photos on a laptop that will not boot in Woy Woy, or a shop PC in Wyong that died mid-week. We assess first. No promises we cannot keep.
Need a different Central Coast service? Open the Central Coast technology services hub for the other local service pages, or call 0493 563 381 for free advice.
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Missing files, a drive that will not open, or a PC that will not boot with photos still on it. If the machine still runs, use computer repair or computer support.
Stop using the drive. Do not format, reset, or keep saving over it.
A drive that vanished, stalled on the logo, or makes new noises.
An SSD that is not detected, or files that open as garbage.
USB sticks, camera cards, and folders deleted from a PC that still turns on.
The machine will not start, and the files inside it matter more than the PC.
You hear likely paths and limits before recovery work starts.
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Stop writing to the drive if it is clicking, missing, or asking to format.
Device type, when it started, and whether the files still matter more than the PC.
Local attempt, leave it off, or a lab path - quoted before work.
If this is not the job
Want the longer guide? Data Recovery Scientist.
Often, yes, especially if the drive has not been used much since the files went missing.
Call early and describe what happened. The sooner we look, the better the chances.
No. Turn it off and leave it off, because every restart on a failing drive can reduce what is recoverable.
Not always. Physical damage, encryption, or overwritten data can limit results, and we tell you honestly where things stand before any further spend.
Once the files are safe, we set up automatic backups to the cloud, an external drive, or both, and show you how to check they are working.
