Recovering data from corrupt micro sdhc card?

MAJOR3058 · #1 June 2nd, 2012, 12:30 AM

My PNY 8GB micro SDHC class 10 memory card has become corrupt. It only shows up as 1GB and seems to have no file system to even read. Ive tried a few recovery programs and a few formatting programs but it seems nothing about the card is readable anymore. The formatting either says can't complete or cant read. It doesnt even show up as a drive and when inserted just asks to format...which it never completes. The 1gb is the amount that shows up in the formatting capacity box or when I try to use a recovery program.

It seems a lost cause as Ive tried so many things but I cant find anything. Not even any file system to begin any recovering data.

But there is some very valuable data on it that I would really love to recover if possible so Im trying here as a last ditch effort. I dont want to send it anywhere because it contains personal stuff on it that I wouldnt really want strangers recovering so thats not an option.

Any suggestions?

cheers

ps; and yes I have checked that its not locked or anything that simple. Plus Ive used both SD card reader and usb reader.

**Murf** · #2 June 2nd, 2012, 01:24 AM

May want to thry this program FREE Trial at least see if it finds anything. If it does then you can search for a free program.

IPR512 · #3 June 2nd, 2012, 02:41 AM

If the one Murf linked to doesn't work try this free one. I've used it, and it worked well for me.
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/smartrecovery.html

Mr Bean · #4 June 2nd, 2012, 07:16 AM

Here's another one which in my opinion is a small price to pay

MAJOR3058 · #5 June 2nd, 2012, 09:17 AM

Thanks guys. I'd already tried the last two. Ive tried about 10 recovery progs all to no avail. They just show 1024mb(1gb) storage to begin with. Then if they even scan its only like a minute long so it seems theyre not scanning the full 8GB on the card. They all find nothing. But Ive used this card a LOT so there should be plenty to find.

I can't even format the damn thing and Ive used a few progs to do that too. But they say its write protected. The micro cards dont have the write protect switch so it cant be. If I use the SD card adaptor I check the switch is not locked plus I get the same response with a usb reader which has no lock.

Jaytee · #6 June 2nd, 2012, 11:26 AM

I think Knoppix might be worth a try:
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
Do some reading before using as it is NOT windows

MAJOR3058 · #7 June 2nd, 2012, 12:47 PM

Knoppix looks interesting but a bit confusing for me. Even just going to download it theres so many options I dont know where to begin. But thanks.

Ned Seagoon · #8 June 2nd, 2012, 04:05 PM

If you could make a bit by bit copy of the card to some other location and then examine that with hex editor, you may get some idea of just what has happened, and have a go at fixing it.

I'd be doing this in a Linux environment, but as you have expressed concern about using Knoppix, you may be able to find something for windows that would allow you to try this approach.

MAJOR3058 · #9 June 2nd, 2012, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned Seagoon

If you could make a bit by bit copy of the card to some other location and then examine that with hex editor, you may get some idea of just what has happened, and have a go at fixing it.

I'd be doing this in a Linux environment, but as you have expressed concern about using Knoppix, you may be able to find something for windows that would allow you to try this approach.

I dont know what you mean by copying it. Its not even showing up as a proper drive. I can't do anything with it.

The control part of the card seems to be destroyed so you cant access the data chip part. From the video Ive seen a lab would have to open up the card and attach a reader directly to the chip to access the data(bypassing the control part which is what devices use to read the data). Thats my basic understanding so far.

Ned Seagoon · #10 June 3rd, 2012, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAJOR3058

I don't know what you mean by copying it. Its not even showing up as a proper drive. I can't do anything with it.

I did not say to copy it I said to make a bit by bit copy of the data. Put 'bit by bit copy' into a search engine and see if you find something that you are able to use.

If you are unable to do this, why not take the card to a data recovery firm? It will cost you money, but if the data is valuable to you it will be worth it.

If it is not valuable to you, just throw the thing away.

craisin · #11 June 4th, 2012, 06:14 AM

It sounds likr you have use it in something and you havent used the Safely Remove Proceedure

A linux PC may be able to sort it out

msninja · #12 June 25th, 2012, 12:03 AM

Inserting my question into this conversation, but is it possible to change the status from "write protected" to unlocked without a physical control on the chip itself? Is that something these free programs can do?

msninja · #13 June 25th, 2012, 12:08 AM

Yet another question, but if a disk has all kinds of files - meaning photos, videos, text and other kinds of files - would these recovery programs also work?

**Jintan** · #14 June 30th, 2012, 12:58 AM

I know you had quite a few programs noted here, but I still would like to add DiskDigger. Yes, it will locate files of those types, if that card is actually still readable in any normal manner. The latest version puts some pretty severe limits on the number of files to recover, so you may want to either purchase it, or hunt down their free older version.

JacketMan · #15 November 20th, 2012, 06:35 AM

Yes, there are some SDHC card data recovery software available for help.