1.    Customer-provided physical media: recovered data is copied onto an external hard drive or flash drive the customer supplies.

2.    Cloud upload — customer's own account: data is uploaded directly to the customer's own Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or other cloud/fileshare destination of their choice.

3.    Cloud upload — Sentinel-created account: if the customer does not have (or does not wish to set up) their own cloud destination, Sentinel creates a dedicated cloud account, uploads the recovered data, and provides the customer with step-by-step instructions for accessing the account and changing the password to fully secure it for their own future use.

Once service is complete, the customer chooses one of the following for their original hardware, with Sentinel facilitating the logistics of whichever option is selected:

•       Return of the original hardware to the customer at no extra charge (standard).

•       Certified data wipe (DoD 5220.22-M / NIST 800-88 standard) and responsible disposal/recycling of the drive, for an additional fee, with a certificate of destruction provided on request.

•       Certified data wipe followed by donation of the device to a local charity of Sentinel's coordination, at the customer's request — Sentinel arranges the drop-off/handoff logistics.

Building on the same technician skill set, tools, and customer base as data recovery, Sentinel offers hands-on hardware troubleshooting and repair for desktops and laptops — addressing performance and reliability issues before they become data-loss emergencies.

•      Desktop component replacement: hard drives (HDD/SSD), memory (RAM), graphics cards, and networking cards (wired/Wi-Fi NICs).

•      Internal case maintenance: opening the case and cleaning accumulated dust and debris from fans, heatsinks, vents, and internal components to restore proper airflow and reduce heat-related failure risk.

•      Laptop internal troubleshooting: diagnosing performance issues, overheating, and shutdown problems traced to internal components.

•      Laptop internal cleaning: opening the chassis (where feasible) to remove dust and debris from fans, heat sinks, and vents — the leading cause of laptop overheating and thermal shutdowns.

•      Diagnosis of failing components (drive, memory, GPU, NIC) with a same-visit or next-visit replacement quote, using either customer-supplied parts or Sentinel-sourced parts (parts cost passed through plus a sourcing/markup fee).

General-purpose diagnostic and tune-up services for desktops and laptops that are running but underperforming.

•      Disk defragmentation and drive optimization (HDD defragmentation; SSD-appropriate optimization such as TRIM/health checks, since defragmenting an SSD is not recommended).

•      Virus and malware detection using up-to-date scanning tools.

•      Malware remediation and removal, including quarantine/cleanup of infected files and reversal of unwanted browser or system changes where possible.

•      Post-cleanup verification scan and a plain-language summary of findings and recommended follow-up (e.g., password changes, security software recommendations).