Database & Email Data Recovery Services
Aesonlabs provides technical data recovery services for damaged, inaccessible and corrupted database and email storage files. Recovery may involve the underlying storage device, filesystem, database structure, individual tables or records, or a combination of several failure layers.
Database-related recovery cases can involve standalone files stored on a workstation, large server databases, damaged virtual machines, failed RAID or NAS storage, or database containers recovered from physically unstable media.
Our objective is to preserve as much usable structure and original data as possible while determining where the failure actually occurred.
Database Data Recovery
Databases are frequently used to store critical information such as company records, customer data, application data, collected statistics, accounting information and other structured records.
When a database becomes inaccessible, the corruption does not necessarily originate inside the database itself. The failure can occur at the physical storage level, filesystem level, database-container level or within individual internal structures.
For this reason, database recovery begins by identifying the actual layer where the failure occurred rather than immediately attempting to repair the database file.
Database Platforms and File Types
Aesonlabs can evaluate recovery cases involving database environments and formats including:
- MySQL and MariaDB
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Oracle databases
- IBM DB2
- Sybase
- PostgreSQL
- Informix
- Ingres
- Teradata
- SQLite
- Microsoft Access databases
- Custom or proprietary database containers
- Database files recovered from servers, RAID arrays and NAS systems
- Database files stored inside virtual machines
- Database files recovered from damaged hard drives and SSDs
Not every damaged database can be treated in the same way. The appropriate recovery method depends on the database engine, version, file structure, transaction state and condition of the underlying storage media.
Common Database Failure Scenarios
Database loss can occur for many reasons, ranging from logical corruption to complete failure of the underlying storage system.
Common scenarios include:
- Damaged or failing hard drives
- SSD and flash-storage failure
- RAID degradation or multiple-disk failure
- Filesystem corruption
- Unexpected shutdowns or interrupted writes
- Damaged database headers or internal structures
- Corrupted tables, indexes or transaction logs
- Deleted database files
- Overwritten database files
- Failed database migrations or upgrades
- Damaged virtual machines
- Incomplete backup or restore operations
- Ransomware or other destructive events
- Database files produced by an incomplete previous recovery attempt
A database that appears corrupted can sometimes be the result of an underlying storage device returning unreadable or inconsistent sectors.
For important production data, repeated repair attempts should therefore be avoided until the physical media and available copies have been properly evaluated.
Multi-Layer Database Recovery
Database recovery is often a layered process.
If the original storage device is physically unstable, the first priority is obtaining the safest possible image of the source media. Running database repair tools directly against a failing device can produce additional read activity and may alter the only remaining usable copy.
1. Storage-Level Recovery
If a hard drive, SSD, RAID array or other storage system is damaged, recovery begins at the hardware or storage layer.
The objective is to acquire as much stable data as possible before attempting logical reconstruction.
2. Filesystem Reconstruction
Once the underlying media has been stabilized or imaged, the filesystem can be examined for missing directories, damaged allocation structures, deleted files and the location of the relevant database containers.
3. Database Structure Analysis
If the database file itself is damaged, its internal organization may then require analysis.
Depending on the database platform, this can involve evaluating headers, internal pages, tables, indexes, transaction structures and other metadata used to organize the logical database.
4. Record and Table Extraction
In cases where complete reconstruction is not possible, usable records, tables or other surviving structures may still be recoverable individually.
The objective is not always to force a damaged database back into its original state, but to preserve the maximum amount of reliable data that still exists.
Storage Failure vs. Database Corruption
One of the most important diagnostic questions in a database recovery case is whether the database itself is damaged or whether it only appears damaged because the underlying storage is no longer reading correctly.
A failing hard drive, SSD or RAID array can produce unreadable sectors inside an otherwise valid SQL database, Oracle database, Outlook PST file or Microsoft Exchange EDB file.
Database repair software may then interpret missing sectors as internal structural corruption.
If the source media is physically unstable, Aesonlabs concentrates first on stabilizing and recovering the underlying storage before database-level reconstruction begins.
Email Data Recovery
Aesonlabs also provides recovery of locally stored email databases, Outlook mailbox files and Microsoft Exchange data.
Email containers are structured databases rather than simple collections of individual messages. Damage to internal tables, indexes or allocation structures can make an entire mailbox inaccessible even when significant portions of the original email data remain intact.
Email Formats We Evaluate
- Microsoft Outlook PST files
- Microsoft Outlook OST files
- Microsoft Exchange EDB databases
- Outlook Express DBX files
- Eudora MBX and TOC mailbox files
- Apple Mail and other locally stored mailbox formats
- Email archives recovered from damaged storage devices
- Mailbox data recovered from failed computers, servers and RAID systems
Outlook PST and OST Recovery
Microsoft Outlook PST and OST files contain structured mailbox information rather than individual standalone email files.
Damage to internal tables, indexes or allocation structures can prevent Outlook from opening the mailbox normally.
Depending on the condition of the source data, recoverable information may include:
- Email messages
- Attachments
- Mailbox folders
- Contacts
- Calendar entries
- Tasks
- Mailbox hierarchy
- Other Outlook data stored inside the container
Whenever possible, the objective is to preserve the original mailbox and folder organization rather than simply extracting disconnected message fragments.
Microsoft Exchange EDB Recovery
Microsoft Exchange recovery can be substantially more complex because mailbox data may depend on the condition of the EDB database, transaction logs, filesystem and underlying server storage.
Exchange-related cases can involve:
- Corrupted Exchange EDB databases
- Failed Exchange servers
- RAID-array failure affecting Exchange storage
- Missing or damaged transaction logs
- Incomplete database copies
- Deleted mailboxes
- Damaged virtual Exchange servers
- Storage failures affecting Exchange database volumes
The appropriate recovery path depends on which components remain available and the condition of the original database and storage system.
Deleted Database and Email Files
Deleted database, mailbox and archive files may sometimes remain recoverable provided the original physical storage locations have not been overwritten.
Recovery conditions can vary significantly between conventional hard drives and flash-based storage.
On SSDs, TRIM and internal garbage collection can remove deleted information from the NAND memory even though the filesystem may still retain information about where the file previously existed.
For this reason, a system containing important deleted database or email files should not continue to be used unnecessarily.
Corrupted Files From Previous Recovery Attempts
Aesonlabs can also evaluate database or mailbox files that have already been recovered by another program, technician or recovery laboratory but cannot be opened correctly.
In these situations, the original storage device remains extremely important.
A damaged database file may contain missing or unreadable areas caused by the original media failure. Another controlled imaging attempt using the original source can sometimes recover sectors that were missing from the first copy.
Whenever possible, submit both:
- The original storage device or server media
- Any existing recovered copies of the database or mailbox files
Having both sources provides more recovery options than attempting reconstruction from an incomplete file alone.
Database Encryption
Encryption can significantly affect database and email recovery.
Some database environments, storage volumes and email systems rely on encryption that requires the original credentials, certificates, encryption keys or surrounding system components.
Recovery of the physical database file does not automatically mean that the information contained inside it can be decrypted.
Where encryption is present, retain all available:
- Passwords and credentials
- Encryption keys
- Certificates
- Configuration files
- Transaction logs
- Original system components
- Available backups
What We Need to Evaluate a Database Recovery Case
The more information available about the original environment, the easier it is to determine the correct recovery path.
Useful information includes:
- Database platform and version
- Approximate database size
- Operating system or server environment
- Whether the database is encrypted
- Whether transaction logs are available
- Whether backups are available
- Symptoms immediately before the failure
- Whether the original storage device is still available
- Whether database-repair utilities have already been attempted
- Whether the database was stored on RAID, NAS, SAN or virtual infrastructure
- Whether another recovery company has already worked on the storage
For email-related cases, let us know whether the data originated from Outlook, Exchange or another mail platform and whether the original workstation, server or storage device is still available.
What Not to Do With an Important Database Failure
If the database or mailbox contains important information:
- Do not repeatedly run repair utilities against the only available copy.
- Do not continue operating a storage device that is producing read errors or disconnecting.
- Do not initialize or reformat a storage volume simply because the operating system requests it.
- Do not overwrite the original database with a repaired or reconstructed copy.
- Do not continue writing data to storage containing recently deleted database files.
- Do not discard transaction logs, configuration files, keys or older backups.
- Do not assume that a database error automatically means the database itself is the original point of failure.
A working copy or image should be used for repair and reconstruction whenever possible, leaving the original source unchanged.
Why Aesonlabs for Database and Email Recovery?
Database and email recovery requires more than simply opening a damaged file with a repair utility.
Aesonlabs can approach these cases from both the storage-recovery side and the logical database side, allowing the underlying device, filesystem and database container to be evaluated as separate recovery layers.
This is particularly important when database corruption is the result of missing sectors, unstable storage, failed RAID infrastructure or an incomplete previous recovery attempt.
Recovery work may involve controlled media imaging, RAID reconstruction, filesystem recovery, database-container analysis, record extraction and recovery of mailbox structures from Outlook or Exchange environments.
Customers also receive a unique case number once their device or recovery media has been formally submitted to Aesonlabs.
Starting a Database or Email Recovery Case
To begin, submit a recovery case with information about the database platform, email system, storage environment and symptoms that occurred before the data became inaccessible.
If the original storage device is still available, avoid unnecessary repair attempts and keep the original media together with any database files or previous recovery copies already produced.
Once the case is created, you will receive a unique case number and instructions for delivering or shipping the media to Aesonlabs.
Database & Email Data Recovery FAQ
Potentially. Recoverability depends on the database engine, extent of corruption, availability of transaction logs or backups and whether the damage originated inside the database or in the underlying storage system.
Depending on the damage, email messages, attachments, folders, contacts, calendar entries and other Outlook information may remain recoverable even when Outlook can no longer open the PST file normally.
OST recovery depends on the condition of the file, Outlook or Exchange configuration and whether the corresponding mailbox is still available elsewhere. The file can be evaluated to determine which mailbox information remains recoverable.
Potentially. Exchange recovery depends on the condition of the EDB database, transaction logs, server environment and underlying storage. Failed RAID or server storage may need to be recovered before Exchange-level reconstruction can begin.
Not when the underlying storage may be failing or when only one important copy exists. Repair utilities can modify database structures, so the original media should be preserved and a working copy or image should be used whenever possible.
Sometimes, but SSD TRIM and internal garbage collection can rapidly remove deleted data from NAND memory. Continued use of the system can further reduce recovery possibilities.
Recovering the physical database file and decrypting its contents are separate issues. Depending on how the encryption was implemented, the original passwords, keys, certificates or system components may still be required.
Potentially. In some damaged database cases, usable tables, records or other structures can be extracted even when complete restoration of the original database is not possible.
Yes. However, supplying the original storage device as well is preferable because additional controlled imaging may recover sectors that are missing from the existing copy.
Yes. Missing disks, unreadable sectors, incorrect RAID reconstruction or degraded storage can create missing or inconsistent regions inside otherwise valid database files. RAID recovery should be stabilized before database repair is attempted.
Recovery time depends on the database platform, size, level of corruption, condition of the underlying storage and whether RAID, filesystem or hardware recovery is required before the database itself can be reconstructed. A more meaningful estimate can be provided after evaluation.
Get Your Database or Email Data Evaluated
If your SQL database, Outlook mailbox, Exchange database or underlying storage system is no longer accessible, avoid repeatedly repairing or modifying the original source.
Submit a case to Aesonlabs with the database platform, storage environment and symptoms you have observed. We will evaluate the available media and determine the appropriate recovery path.