Frequently Asked Questions

We recover 3.5-inch disks (720 KB DD, 1.44 MB HD, 2.88 MB ED) and 5.25-inch disks (360 KB DD, 1.2 MB HD). We also handle vintage computer disks from Commodore, Amiga, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, and Apple II. If you have a disk that does not fit any known format, contact us -- we can capture a raw flux image for later analysis.

It depends on the type of damage. Mild physical damage such as a bent shell, a stiff shutter, or minor surface contamination can often be treated before a read attempt. Severe damage (snapped magnetic coating, warped substrate, mould contamination) may reduce recovery chances but is still worth attempting. Send us the disk and we will assess it before committing to a recovery attempt.

Consumer orders take 5 to 7 business days from the date we receive your disks. Business and priority orders can be turned around in 48 hours. Rush service is available by prior arrangement. We will email you a status update when your disks arrive and again when recovery is complete.

For disks that have been stored in reasonable conditions (dry, away from magnets and heat), the recovery rate is high. Degraded media -- mouldy disks, disks stored in damp environments, or disks with severe oxide shedding -- has lower success rates. We never make guarantees about specific percentages in advance because each disk is different.

We take every precaution to avoid damage. We inspect each disk before inserting it into a drive, clean the drive heads between jobs, and use multiple gentle read passes before any more aggressive approach. If a disk is at high risk of surface shedding, we discuss options with you before proceeding.

A flux image (.scp, .hfe) records the raw magnetic transitions on the disk surface rather than decoding them into sectors. This preserves copy-protection signals, non-standard encodings, and weak bits that a standard sector read would lose. For archival or preservation purposes, a flux image is the most future-proof option. For everyday file access, a standard sector image is sufficient.

For standard PC disks, we deliver a .img sector image plus a ZIP of the extracted files. For vintage computer disks, we deliver the platform-native format (e.g. .adf for Amiga, .d64 for Commodore 64, .st for Atari ST). Flux formats (.scp, .hfe) are available on request. See our formats page for the full list.

Yes. For an additional €10 per disk, we convert legacy word processor files (WordPerfect, WordStar, Word for DOS) and spreadsheet files (Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro Pro) to PDF or DOCX. This is our most popular add-on for consumer and legal estate orders.

Yes. We deliver in platform-native formats that mount directly in the most widely used emulators. Amiga users receive .adf for use with FS-UAE or WinUAE. Commodore users receive .d64 for use with VICE. Atari ST users receive .st or .msa for use with Hatari. Specify your emulator when ordering and we will confirm the best format.

Yes. We can recover the disk and deliver the image as an .hfe file for use with a hardware floppy emulator device. These devices mount inside the original machine and emulate a floppy drive, allowing the machine to operate normally without a physical disk. Contact us for advice on the right hardware emulator for your machine.

Fees are charged per disk processed, not per recovered file. Physically destroyed or fully unreadable disks are still subject to the processing fee if a recovery attempt is made. Business and industrial tiers are priced by project quotation agreed in advance.

No. We do not charge a fee to inspect or assess your disk before attempting recovery. The price you see in the pricing calculator is the price you pay only if we succeed.

We invoice via email after successful recovery. Payment is accepted by bank transfer (SEPA for EU clients, SWIFT for international) and by card through our invoicing system. For business and industrial orders, we can issue purchase-order-referenced invoices.

Yes. Use the pricing calculator for an instant estimate for consumer orders. For business, industrial, or large-volume orders, use the quote request form and we will respond within one business day.

Use a padded bubble mailer, not a plain paper envelope. Keep disks flat and avoid bending. Keep disks away from magnets (bag clasps, speaker grilles, security gates). Do not leave disks in a hot car or expose them to moisture. Wrap 5.25-inch disks in paper or card to prevent folding. Standard postal services (An Post, Royal Mail) are safe for shipping disks.

Yes. We return your original disks by post at no extra cost unless you instruct otherwise. If you do not want the physical media back, we can dispose of them securely.

Yes. We accept disks from anywhere in the world. International postage is charged at €30 to cover the cost of tracked return shipping. For large international orders, contact us to arrange a quote.

By default, files are delivered as an encrypted download link that remains active for 30 days. We can also post files on a USB drive (at cost). For large archives, we can arrange a cloud transfer on request.

All media is processed within Ireland on isolated, offline equipment. Recovered data is stored on an encrypted drive. We do not transfer data to third-party services or cloud platforms without your explicit consent. Your data is deleted from our systems within 30 days of delivery. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Yes. For legal, government, and industrial clients handling sensitive media, we offer a formal NDA before any work begins. Contact us to request this before sending your disks.

We are based in Ireland and operate under the EU General Data Protection Regulation. We are data processors for the purposes of recovering your files. We collect only the personal data needed to complete your order and respond to your enquiry. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.