The technology behind file recovery has been developing rapidly these past several years. Recovering accidentally deleted files used to be very difficult; the same task can be completed using a free or affordable software for your operating system today. When it comes to recovering files from an SD card, however, there are a few challenges that are still not easy to tackle. How far can SD card recovery go?
Problem #1: Accidental Deletion
Have you ever deleted your pictures or files accidentally? Modern SD cards use flash memory chips to store data, which means most of them are not compatible with pre-deletion storage such as Windows Recycle Bin or Mac’s Trash. When files are deleted, they are deleted straight away.
Still, it is possible to recover accidentally deleted files from SD cards. Files that are deleted are not actually deleted; the space they occupy is marked ‘available for use’, but the content of each data cluster remains intact before new files are written on top of them.
In most cases, a file recovery routine using capable software – Easy Drive Data Recovery, for example – should be more than enough to recover your files as long as the SD card has not been used to store new files. In severe cases of accidental deletion, professional help may be required to restore damaged portions of the files.
Problem #2: Data Corruption
Unlike accidental deletion, data corruption is much more difficult to prevent or deal with. The files are damaged by anything from static electricity to improper removal of the SD card from card reader. A quick scan using data recovery software should reveal the extent of the damage right away.
If you find a lot of 0-byte files, particularly files that are recent and have not been deleted, you may want to contact a data recovery professional right away. Avoid using the SD card to store new files and send it for recovery. 80-90% of the files should be recoverable using the correct methods.
Problem #3: Liquid Damage
SD cards are less prone to liquid damage. Should your SD card get wet, remove it from any source of electricity – including static electricity – right away and leave it to dry. You can use a more traditional method such as using moisture remover or even rice to dry the SD card completely.
The next step is checking the files. Make sure the card is completely dry before you plug it into a card reader. With a little luck, you should be able to access your files without a problem.
Even if the files are damaged, there is hope that the damage is in the form of data corruption and not total loss. Do a quick scan using the data recovery software of your choice or send it to a professional for better treatment. Chances of recovering your files are still above 70%.
Problem #4: Fire Damage
Fire damage is much more difficult to handle. The outer, plastic casing of the card is most likely damaged. Before you can plug the card into a card reader, a new shell is needed.
The best way to go when dealing with fire damaged SD cards is to send it for recovery right away. Pack it using static-free bag and send it to a professional data recovery service like eProvided.
The chance of recovering your files depends on how long the SD card was on fire and how extensive the damage is. Reports of recent cases reveal that over 70% of lost files due to fire damage are restorable.
Problem #5: Extensive Physical Damage
SD cards are not durable enough to withstand extensive physical abuse. They can break, bend and even shatter when exposed to force. When an SD card is extensively damaged due to physical abuse, the only way to recover the files is by getting the assistance of a professional data recovery service.
Internal parts are carefully analysed in a sterile environment to prevent further damage. Salvageable memory chips are then transferred onto a new board and read. Only the best recovery services can actually restore data from an extensively damaged SD card, but the chances of success are relatively high when every step is done correctly.
About the Author:
Aileen Hines is a writer and content producer who enjoys gardening and playing with her gadgets. She reads tech news and connect with fellow writers when she is not writing content for some of the best online publications of today.
Have you ever deleted your pictures or files accidentally? Modern SD cards use flash memory chips to store data, which means most of them are not compatible with pre-deletion storage such as Windows Recycle Bin or Mac’s Trash. When files are deleted, they are deleted straight away.
Still, it is possible to recover accidentally deleted files from SD cards. Files that are deleted are not actually deleted; the space they occupy is marked ‘available for use’, but the content of each data cluster remains intact before new files are written on top of them.
In most cases, a file recovery routine using capable software – Easy Drive Data Recovery, for example – should be more than enough to recover your files as long as the SD card has not been used to store new files. In severe cases of accidental deletion, professional help may be required to restore damaged portions of the files.
Problem #2: Data Corruption
If you find a lot of 0-byte files, particularly files that are recent and have not been deleted, you may want to contact a data recovery professional right away. Avoid using the SD card to store new files and send it for recovery. 80-90% of the files should be recoverable using the correct methods.
Problem #3: Liquid Damage
SD cards are less prone to liquid damage. Should your SD card get wet, remove it from any source of electricity – including static electricity – right away and leave it to dry. You can use a more traditional method such as using moisture remover or even rice to dry the SD card completely.
The next step is checking the files. Make sure the card is completely dry before you plug it into a card reader. With a little luck, you should be able to access your files without a problem.
Even if the files are damaged, there is hope that the damage is in the form of data corruption and not total loss. Do a quick scan using the data recovery software of your choice or send it to a professional for better treatment. Chances of recovering your files are still above 70%.
Problem #4: Fire Damage
Fire damage is much more difficult to handle. The outer, plastic casing of the card is most likely damaged. Before you can plug the card into a card reader, a new shell is needed.
The best way to go when dealing with fire damaged SD cards is to send it for recovery right away. Pack it using static-free bag and send it to a professional data recovery service like eProvided.
The chance of recovering your files depends on how long the SD card was on fire and how extensive the damage is. Reports of recent cases reveal that over 70% of lost files due to fire damage are restorable.
Problem #5: Extensive Physical Damage
SD cards are not durable enough to withstand extensive physical abuse. They can break, bend and even shatter when exposed to force. When an SD card is extensively damaged due to physical abuse, the only way to recover the files is by getting the assistance of a professional data recovery service.
Internal parts are carefully analysed in a sterile environment to prevent further damage. Salvageable memory chips are then transferred onto a new board and read. Only the best recovery services can actually restore data from an extensively damaged SD card, but the chances of success are relatively high when every step is done correctly.
About the Author:
Aileen Hines is a writer and content producer who enjoys gardening and playing with her gadgets. She reads tech news and connect with fellow writers when she is not writing content for some of the best online publications of today.
