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Devices · virtual machine recovery

Virtual machine data recovery in Bristol.

Deleted VM, a corrupt virtual disk, a broken snapshot chain or a datastore down? We recover virtual machines on VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox and every other platform. We repair the virtual disk, rebuild the snapshot chain and recover the data inside — all from copies, never your originals.

From £800 · per VM
Most jobs — no fix, no fee
VMware · Hyper-V · +
~ vm_2026-001 — live RECOVERED
$ bdr diagnose /dev/vmfs
 Host: VMware ESXi · VMFS · VMDK
 Status: VM DELETED — removed from inventory
 Client: Hayes, M. · Fishponds BS16

$ bdr engineer-working
 Datastore: scanned · blocks intact
 VMDK: rebuilt from datastore
 Guest: NTFS mounted · files back

$ bdr verify
 ✓ virtual machine — 1.4 TB
 ✓ SQL databases — restored
 ✓ VM recovered — data back
!

Don't keep running a host with a failing VM or datastore.

If a virtual machine won't boot, a snapshot chain has broken or a datastore is showing errors, stop writing to it. Consolidating snapshots, retrying a merge or letting the host keep running can overwrite the very data we need, and powering on a VM on a damaged datastore can make things worse. Note the VM, the disk files and the datastore, leave them as they are, and call us. The first attempt at recovery is the safest.

// faults we recover from

Virtual machine faults we fix.

From a deleted VM to a broken snapshot chain, these are the virtual machine failures we recover from most — deleted, corrupt, snapshot and datastore.

Deleted VM or virtual diskA virtual machine or its VMDK/VHDX deleted by mistake? On a healthy datastore the data is usually still there until it is overwritten — stop the host writing and we can rebuild the disk and recover the VM.LogicalDeletedCorrupt VMDK or VHDXA virtual disk that is corrupt, invalid or won't open, so the VM won't power on? We repair the VMDK or VHDX — descriptor, headers and grain tables — and recover the data inside it.DiskCorruptBroken snapshot or checkpoint chainA snapshot or checkpoint chain that is broken, orphaned or failed to merge? This is the most common way VMs are lost — we rebuild the base and delta chain and recover a consistent VM.SnapshotChainVM won't power on or invalidA VM marked invalid, inaccessible or orphaned that won't start? The virtual disk is usually intact — we repair the config and disk and bring the machine back.BootInvalidCorrupt datastore or volumeA VMFS datastore or CSV volume that is corrupt and taking all its VMs offline? We rebuild the datastore and recover every virtual machine on it.DatastoreVMFSFailed consolidation or mergeA snapshot consolidation or checkpoint merge that stalled or corrupted the chain? We stop, work from copies and reconstruct the disk chain to recover the VM and its data.MergeHigh riskThin disk or sparse corruptionA thin-provisioned virtual disk whose grain tables or block map are damaged, so the data can't be located? We rebuild the mapping and recover the contents.ThinMappingGuest file system corruptThe virtual disk is fine but the file system inside the VM — NTFS, ReFS or ext4 — is corrupt? We mount the disk and repair the guest file system to recover your files and databases.GuestFile systemUnderlying storage failedThe RAID, NAS or SAN holding your VMs has failed? We rebuild the storage first, then recover the datastore and every virtual machine on it.StorageRAID
// platforms we recover

Every hypervisor. Every disk.

We recover every virtual machine — VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox, Citrix, VirtualBox and the rest — every virtual disk format, on any datastore. The platform decides the method, not whether we can help.

VMware ESXivSphereHyper-VProxmox VECitrix XenServerXCP-ngVirtualBoxKVMNutanix AHVVMware WorkstationVMDKVHDXVHDVDIQCOW2VMFSCSVNFS datastorevSANSnapshotCheckpointThin ProvisionDifferencingraw

VMware ESXi, vSphere, Workstation and Fusion · Microsoft Hyper-V · Proxmox VE, Citrix XenServer, XCP-ng, Oracle VirtualBox, KVM and Nutanix · VMDK, VHDX, VHD, VDI and QCOW2 · VMFS, NFS and CSV datastores · snapshots, checkpoints and thin-provisioned disks.

// our recovery process

How we recover a virtual machine.

Virtual machine recovery works on two layers — the virtual disk and the data inside it. We get the virtual disk files safely off the datastore, repair the disk and any snapshot chain, then mount it and recover the guest operating system, databases and files — all from copies.

01

Free diagnostic

Tell us the setup — hypervisor, virtual disk format, what happened to which VMs. We assess it and send a written quote, usually within 48 hours.

02

Secure the virtual disks

We take a read-only copy of the virtual disk files — VMDK, VHDX, VDI or QCOW2 — and where the datastore or its storage has failed, we rebuild that first so nothing is written to your originals.

03

Repair failed storage or disks

Where the underlying RAID, NAS or SAN has failed, or a physical drive needs work, we repair and image it. Drive-level repairs need 50% of the fee upfront.

04

Rebuild the disk and chain

We repair the virtual disk — descriptor, headers, grain tables — and reconstruct any broken snapshot or checkpoint chain into a single consistent disk.

05

Mount and recover the guest

We mount the repaired disk and recover the guest file system and what is on it — Windows or Linux, files, SQL and Exchange databases, application data — repairing it where needed.

06

Verify

We check the recovered virtual machines, files and databases actually open and are complete before anything is returned to you.

07

Return your data

We return your recovered VMs or their data on new storage, ready to import and power back on.

// what we recover from

Every VM. Your data back.

We recover every virtual machine — VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox and the rest — repairing the virtual disk, rebuilding the snapshot chain and recovering the data inside, whatever has happened to the host or storage.

Every VM
VMware, Hyper-V +
Read-only
disks never altered
Disk & guest
both recovered
48 hr
Diagnostic turnaround
Snapshots
chains rebuilt
25 yrs
Recovering data
// get a custom quote

Get a custom quote

Tell us what happened and we will get back to you, usually within one working day.

Prefer to call? 0117 332 1137 · Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm

// pricing

Clear, fixed pricing.

Clear, tiered pricing for virtual machine recovery — with a free diagnostic and a written quote before any work starts.

Virtual machine data recovery
From £800 + VAT
From, for a single virtual machine or virtual disk on healthy storage. A full datastore or host — multiple VMs — starts at £1,200. Most jobs are no fix, no fee.
  • Free diagnostic and a written quote first
  • Single virtual machine or virtual disk from £800 + VAT
  • Full datastore or host — multiple VMs — from £1,200 + VAT
  • Virtual disks copied read-only — your originals are never written to
  • VMs, databases and guest files recovered and verified
// recent recoveries

Failed VMs. Real recoveries.

A snapshot of recent virtual machine recoveries across deleted VMs, broken snapshots, corrupt disks and datastore failures. Names redacted, results verified.

// CASE 2026-037recovered
VMware ESXi · VMFSVMDKDeleted VM

Production VM deleted from an ESXi host by mistake.

The VMDK was gone from the inventory but its blocks were still on the datastore. We rebuilt the virtual disk and recovered the whole VM.

// CASE 2026-031recovered
Hyper-V · CSVVHDX · AVHDXSnapshot broken

Hyper-V VM that wouldn’t start after a checkpoint merge failed.

The AVHDX checkpoint chain was broken. We rebuilt the chain into a single VHDX and recovered a consistent, bootable VM.

// CASE 2026-025recovered
VMware vSphere · VMFSDatastoreDatastore corrupt

VMFS datastore corruption that took six VMs offline.

A power cut had damaged the datastore. We rebuilt the VMFS and recovered all six virtual machines and their data.

// CASE 2026-018recovered
Hyper-V · 2×SSDVHDXCorrupt disk

Corrupt VHDX on a SQL Server VM that refused to mount.

The VHDX header was damaged. We repaired the virtual disk and recovered the SQL databases inside it.

// CASE 2026-011recovered
Proxmox VE · ZFSQCOW2Failed migration

Proxmox VM corrupted during a storage migration.

The QCOW2 image was left inconsistent. We rebuilt it and recovered the Linux guest and its application data.

// CASE 2026-004recovered
VMware ESXi · RAID 5VMDKArray failed

ESXi host whose underlying RAID 5 dropped offline.

The datastore sat on a failed array. We rebuilt the RAID, recovered the datastore and every VM on it.

// client reviews

VMs recovered. Customers relieved.

Reviews from real Bristol and South West clients whose virtual machines we recovered.

★★★★★
One of our team deleted a live virtual machine and we thought it was gone for good. They rebuilt the disk and recovered the whole VM. I cannot recommend them enough.
M
Michael H.Fishponds, Bristol · March 2025
★★★★★
Our VMFS datastore corrupted and took every virtual machine with it. They recovered all of them. Worth every penny and a relief to deal with.
S
Sarah J.Bath · November 2024
★★★★★
A checkpoint merge failed on our Hyper-V VM and it wouldn’t boot with all our work on it. They rebuilt the chain and got it back. Fast, fair and completely honest.
D
David T.Keynsham · August 2023
★★★★★
Our SQL Server VM had a corrupt virtual disk and two other firms gave up. These repaired it and recovered the databases. Genuine experts.
P
Priya K.Clifton, Bristol · May 2022
★★★★★
Gave us a clear quote up front, no fix no fee, and kept us updated throughout. Recovered our whole ESXi datastore after it corrupted. Brilliant service.
T
Tom W.Bristol · January 2021
★★★★★
Our Proxmox VM got corrupted during a migration and I feared the worst. They rebuilt it and recovered everything. Honest, skilled and reassuring.
L
Linda M.Portishead · September 2019
// sending your device in

Two simple steps.

Send us your device for a free diagnostic, and tell us a little about what happened — an engineer will review it and confirm your exact quote in writing before any work begins.

1

Send us your device

Recovering your data starts with getting the device to us. Pack it safely, add your contact details, and send it over — after we run a free diagnostic, we’ll confirm your exact price in writing before any work begins.

How to pack it
  • Package the device into a small, sturdy box or padded envelope.
  • Leave out caddies, cables and power supplies — we won’t need them for the recovery.
  • Include your details inside the package: name, address, phone and email — on a slip of paper, or use our shipping form — then seal it up.
Post toBristol Data Recovery
Castlemead, Lower Castle Street
Bristol BS1 3AG
Shipping formPDF · print & include with your devicePDF ↓

Posting it in? We recommend a tracked, insured service. Prefer to drop it off? You’re welcome Monday–Friday, 9am–5:30pm — please still package the device as above.

2

Need more information?

If you need more information on our data recovery service, fill out the form with more detail about your issue and an engineer will review it and give you a custom quote.

An engineer reviews every enquiry personally — we usually reply within 30 minutes during the day. Prefer to call? 0117 332 1137.

Thanks — your message is in.

We’ll be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, call 0117 332 1137.

// frequently asked questions

Virtual machine recovery, answered.

The questions we are asked most about recovering a virtual machine.

Usually, yes, if you act quickly. A deleted VM normally leaves its virtual disk blocks on the datastore until they're overwritten. Stop the host writing to that datastore and contact us — we rebuild the virtual disk and recover the whole machine, the sooner the better.

Almost never. A VM that won't start usually has a corrupt virtual disk, a broken snapshot chain or a lost config, while the data inside is intact. We repair the VMDK or VHDX, rebuild any snapshot chain and recover the machine and its contents.

Yes — this is one of the most common VM failures. When a snapshot or checkpoint chain is orphaned, broken or fails to merge, the VM won't boot. We reconstruct the base and delta disks into a single consistent virtual disk and recover a working machine.

Usually, yes. We repair virtual disks at the format level — descriptor, headers, grain tables and block maps — for VMDK, VHDX, VHD, VDI and QCOW2, then mount the disk and recover the guest file system and data inside it.

A single virtual machine or virtual disk on healthy storage starts at £800 + VAT. A full datastore or host with multiple VMs starts at £1,200 + VAT, depending on the storage and the work needed. Every job starts with a free diagnostic and a written quote, and most are no fix, no fee.

On most jobs, yes. Where drive-level repairs are needed we take a 50% deposit upfront and the rest is only due if we recover your data — so if we can't, you are not left with the full bill.

Every platform — VMware ESXi and vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, Proxmox, Citrix, VirtualBox, KVM and Nutanix — and every virtual disk format, including VMDK, VHDX, VHD, VDI and QCOW2. The platform decides the method, not whether the data can be recovered.

Yes. Where the RAID, NAS or SAN holding your virtual machines has failed, we rebuild the underlying storage first, then recover the datastore and every VM on it. The virtualization layer and the storage layer are both things we handle.

Yes. Once we've recovered and mounted the virtual disk, we recover the guest file system and what's on it — Windows or Linux files, SQL Server and Exchange databases, application data — and repair them where needed, checking they open before returning them.

A single VM or virtual disk is usually done within 3 to 4 working days. A full datastore or host, or a job where the underlying storage has failed, takes 4 to 7 working days. The free diagnostic is normally finished within 48 hours, and urgent business cases can often be prioritised.

If the storage is healthy you can often send the virtual disk files on a drive, or post the disks the datastore lives on, fully insured — or drop them at our Bristol location Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. Label any RAID disks with their bay order and include your name, company, address, phone number and email so we can book it in and quote before any work begins.

// vm failed?

Deleted VM, corrupt disk or broken snapshot? We'll recover it.

Free diagnostic, tiered pricing from £800, and no fix no fee on most jobs — every virtual machine recovered, VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox and the rest, disk and data. Start your recovery today.

Call us — 0117 332 1137
Mon–Fri · 9am–5:30pm · No fix, no fee
Start a free diagnostic →