THE Attic Lab

Pittsburgh, PA

Local data recovery
and VHS digitization.

I'm Josh. I do data recovery and tape digitization out of Pittsburgh. Drop off in person or ship it. Free evaluation, firm quote before any work begins, and you pay nothing if I can't recover your data.

No data, no charge Firm quote before work starts Local drop-off available Response within 24 hours

What I handle

Data Recovery

Hard drives, SSDs, flash drives

  • ✓ Accidentally deleted files or folders
  • ✓ Formatted or wiped drive
  • ✓ Drive not showing up or not detected
  • ✓ Clicking, grinding, or unusual sounds
  • ✓ Corrupted file system or partition
  • ✓ External drive stopped working
  • ✓ WD My Passport controller failure
  • ✓ Laptop drive after drop or impact
  • ✓ USB flash drives and SD cards

$150 to $500 depending on failure type

Exact quote after free evaluation. No charge if unsuccessful.

VHS & Tape Digitization

Convert tapes to digital files

  • ✓ VHS cassettes ($25 to $40 per tape)
  • ✓ VHS-C camcorder tapes ($25 to $40)
  • ✓ Hi-8 and 8mm camcorder tapes ($30 to $45)
  • ✓ Output as MP4 files that play on anything
  • ✓ Delivered on USB drive or download link
  • ✓ Original tapes returned with order
  • ✓ Time Base Corrector for clean, stable output
  • ✓ Each tape inspected before capture

Bundle pricing for 5 or more tapes

Payment after delivery. You approve the files first.

How it works

  1. 1.

    Fill out the form below

    Tell me what you have and what happened. I'll respond within 24 hours with a preliminary read on the situation.

  2. 2.

    Drop off or ship

    Pittsburgh locals can drop off in person. If you're shipping, you don't need to remove the drive — shipping the whole laptop is fine. See the shipping guide at theatticlab.net/shipping for how to package your device.

  3. 3.

    Evaluation and firm quote

    I evaluate the drive or tapes and give you a flat number. No hourly rates, no surprise charges. You approve it before any recovery work begins.

  4. 4.

    Recovery, then payment

    For data recovery: you pay when you confirm you have the data you needed. For tapes: you approve the files before paying. No recovery, no charge.

Get a free quote

Fill this out and I'll get back to you within 24 hours with a preliminary assessment and next steps. No commitment required.

Optional. Useful for local drop-off coordination.

For data recovery. Skip if VHS only.

Include any sounds the drive is making, what you've already tried, and what data you need back.

You don't need to remove the drive from your laptop — shipping the whole device is fine.

Need packaging help? See the shipping guide.

I respond within 24 hours. No spam, no mailing lists, no commitment required.

Prefer to reach out directly? [email protected] works fine too.

Quick answers

What if you can't get my data back?
You pay nothing. No diagnostic fees, no "we tried" charges. The only thing you're out is shipping if you mailed the drive. I only get paid when I deliver results.
Can I drop it off in person?
Yes. I'm based in Pittsburgh. Contact me first so we can coordinate a time. Drop-off is free, and you don't have to deal with shipping.
How long does it take?
Logical data recovery (deleted files, formatted drives) typically takes 2 to 5 business days. Physical failures can take 1 to 2 weeks. VHS tape digitization runs real-time: a 2-hour tape takes 2 hours to capture. I'll give you a timeline with the quote.
What if I'm not sure what's wrong?
Fill out the form and describe what happened. That's what the evaluation is for. I'll figure out what's going on and explain it in plain terms before any work starts.
How much does it cost?
Data recovery runs $150 to $500 depending on the type of failure. VHS digitization is $25 to $45 per tape. Your exact quote depends on the specific case. I give you a firm, flat number before I start. No hourly rates.