If the drive didn't suffer a serious hard crash then you might be able to get the data recovery team to look for the wedding video and nothing else. You would have to have the file name, location (what folder it's in), date created/modified/accessed, or some kind of specific information for them to narrow the search and recovery process.
If it was a serious hard crash then they'll likely go after all the data, and sometimes even then the data doesn't survive or isn't fully readable.
Regardless, some business couldn't care any less about what's on the drive while others will have strict policies about legal action regarding illegal software, child pornography, etc. The last computer shop I worked at didn't worry so much about illegal software but would contact the authorities regarding the nasty stuff.
And data recovery can get very VERY expensive very quickly.
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There's a software company called Stellar Phoenix that has data recovery software. You can use it yourself to recover from less serious failures. If it's a hard crash (the drive is squealing or clicking loudly, getting VERY hot, or smoking, or it doesn't show up when connected *internally* to the computer) then you'd have to send it to a clean-house (that's where the big bucks come in) to physically transplant the platters to another drive case and controller where they'd then pull the data off. That kind of service can go up to several hundred dollars per hour, and is primarily aimed at banks, insurance companies, etc. with expensive data to be saved.
For specific places, you'll have to Google "Data Recovery" and the name of your home town. I've never used any data recovery service myself, but I have done the software recovery approach. I would recommend that first, if it's in your budget.
Be advised though: data recovery is never a sure thing. Think about the most you'd be willing to invest in it before you get started. That's the best recommend I can give. Good luck.
Comments
If the drive didn't suffer a serious hard crash then you might be able to get the data recovery team to look for the wedding video and nothing else. You would have to have the file name, location (what folder it's in), date created/modified/accessed, or some kind of specific information for them to narrow the search and recovery process.
If it was a serious hard crash then they'll likely go after all the data, and sometimes even then the data doesn't survive or isn't fully readable.
Regardless, some business couldn't care any less about what's on the drive while others will have strict policies about legal action regarding illegal software, child pornography, etc. The last computer shop I worked at didn't worry so much about illegal software but would contact the authorities regarding the nasty stuff.
And data recovery can get very VERY expensive very quickly.
[edit]
There's a software company called Stellar Phoenix that has data recovery software. You can use it yourself to recover from less serious failures. If it's a hard crash (the drive is squealing or clicking loudly, getting VERY hot, or smoking, or it doesn't show up when connected *internally* to the computer) then you'd have to send it to a clean-house (that's where the big bucks come in) to physically transplant the platters to another drive case and controller where they'd then pull the data off. That kind of service can go up to several hundred dollars per hour, and is primarily aimed at banks, insurance companies, etc. with expensive data to be saved.
For specific places, you'll have to Google "Data Recovery" and the name of your home town. I've never used any data recovery service myself, but I have done the software recovery approach. I would recommend that first, if it's in your budget.
Be advised though: data recovery is never a sure thing. Think about the most you'd be willing to invest in it before you get started. That's the best recommend I can give. Good luck.
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