In more than 90% of cases of hard drive failure, the data is retrievable. However, it can be expensive—up to $3000. A hard drive can "die" for several reasons:

 

1. The drive is fine, but the data is scrambled. Data is usually recoverable at a cost ranging from $100-$500.

 

2. The drive electronics are bad, but the inside of the drive is OK. Data is usually recoverable at a cost ranging from $500-1500.

 

3. The internal electronics or mechanical parts are defective. Data is usually recoverable at a cost ranging from $2000-$3000. 

 

4. Internal components have broken loose or have been in contact with the platters inside the drive. Often, but not always, the drive will rattle if tipped or shaken gently; it usually would have been very noisy while it was turned on. In most cases, a significant amount of the magnetic material on the platter will have been scraped off, and data recovery is very unlikely.

 

In all the above cases where data recovery is possible, the recovery can be partial or full, depending on several factors. Some data recovery places offer "free evaluations". These are often cherry-pickers: they can only do the simplest recoveries, and charge you $500 for a $100 job. Otherwise, they just tell you that the data is unrecoverable.

 

There are a few highly competent data recovery places around the US; they aren't cheap, but they are good. These are the places usually recommended by computer manufacturers when a customer's hard drive fails.