Digital Data Rescue

If you have need of data recovery, the most important thing on your mind is likely the need to get that information back where in belongs - and fast. But before you rush into anything, take a minute to consider how the data recovery operation is going to impact your warranty. Whether your warranty is on your computer, storage device or some peripheral piece of equipment, you should be sure that your data recovery professionals aren't going to void any existing warranty.

One of the most frustrating experiences in the world is the lost of data and information. When it happens, one of the common mistakes people make is that they feel they must immediately take steps to retrieve the data that's lost. While that may be true, rushing the decision and hastening into a contract with some company may be much more expensive than it needs to be. That's why you should take a few minutes to talk to any company you're considering for data recovery before you ship your computer off to them.

Start by talking to your own computer company. It could be that the warranty itself will cover at least some aspect of the problem you've encountered. While most computer companies aren't likely to offer data recovery as part of their technical support or the machine's warranty, they may be able to offer up some possible solutions. They may also be able to direct you to a data recovery company that can perform the work without voiding your warranty.

A company should be able to tell you up front whether any work they'll do will impact your warranty. And they should be able to give you a written guarantee that what they tell you is true. If they aren't willing to put it in writing, beware! If they act unsure or seem too anxious to give vague answers such as, "It shouldn't matter," move on to another data recovery company.

Don't immediately discard the idea that you're going to need the warranty. Whether you're looking at a total meltdown or expecting that the computer will eventually return to work on your desk, protect that warranty. After the data recovery is complete, you'll likely need to address the issue that brought you to that point.

Even a new machine could experience problems that lead to the need for data recovery. If it should happen to you, taking time to consider the impact on the warranty could save significantly in the long run.