Quick format simply overwrites the index but keeps each photo in its original location, and cameras will only do quick formats. This is why so many card recoveries are successful, assuming no other data was added after the overwrite occurred and assuming you did not allow the camera to automatically “repair” the card. A partial example: a shoot overwritten on a microSD.
The instant you insert a card into a camera while powered up, the camera immediately prompts you whether you want to “repair” or “format” the card and photographers accept out of habit. A single tap rewrites the index that recovery software relies upon. Remove the card and decline every prompt to format/repair.
Cards go bad in a few predictable ways but usually they do this without messing up your photos.
The vast majority of SD cards and microSD cards are single sealed packages. This shapes the whole recovery route, as there is only one item you will be able to work on: the entire memory card.
Since both the flash memory device & controller are contained in one device, you cannot remove or replace either individually. If the card still reads and the error is logical, it does not affect the recovery process since the rebuild of the index or carve by signature will work fine regardless.
If the controller fails then the next course of action would be to use an internal probe point located on the monolithic circuitry to read the data. The internal probe points require the correct pinout information for the specific package in order to complete this task. This method is slower and more difficult than working on a single discrete component; therefore when a card is not detected at all compared to one that just cannot be mounted, you have two very different cards.
Physical format can be much less important than how the card is constructed and what the fault is.
All types of full-sized memory cards (camera, camcorder, audio recorder), including those that are write protected or otherwise unable to be detected by readers.
Smallest cards from phones, drones, dash cams, and all other “action” type devices. These cards have become one of the most commonly damaged formats.
High-end professional camera media, including those old CF cards no longer supported in newer equipment.
Legacy & proprietary formats: those you can barely even find a reader for.
If your memory card has been damaged (snapped, bent, cracked, water-affected etc.) it will usually still contain useful data as long as the package itself remains whole.
We charge one price for our recovery service regardless of the format of your memory card.
The cost of recovering data from a damaged memory card starts at £250 +VAT. After a complimentary 48-hour diagnostic process we will provide a written quotation that confirms the costs of the work required to recover your lost data. In most cases you only pay if we recover your data.
Ship the memory card separately in a small, sturdy case. Do not send it with the camera. When sending a memory card that we may be able to recover from (and where you have some idea as to how many photos are missing, and approximately when those photos were taken), please mention this information so that on a partial recovery, we can confirm that the correct images are coming back and not just a large number of them. Full write-up: an SD card formatted in one click.
Please send the card in for its free diagnostic with a short statement of what happened; the engineers evaluate the card and confirm your exact quote in writing prior to beginning any work.
Prior to posting or dropping off your device, please obtain a quote from us via telephone or by using our online quotation request form. Obtaining your data starts with sending the card to us. To ensure safe transport, pack the card securely. Include your name and contact information so we may follow up regarding the results of the free diagnostic we perform after receiving your card. Once we have completed the diagnostic evaluation of your card, we will confirm your exact quote in writing prior to performing any service.
Posting it? We would suggest using a tracked and insured delivery method. Want to drop it off? That’s okay too. Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5:30pm is good; no appointment necessary: simply prepare the item as described above.
Would you like a custom estimate (scoped) for your memory card failure prior to shipping it to us? Please complete our quote request form describing your memory card and how it failed. An engineer will review your request and reply to you with an estimated price for recovering your data.
We’ll be in touch shortly. If it’s urgent, call 01865 593000.
Frequently asked technical questions about failing memory cards.
Most of the time. Cameras and computers use quick formats, which write quickly to the location where the index will go with the image data remaining in its original physical space. We can rebuild the index or carve the photos from their signature to recover them. Stop using this card at once.
Remove it and don’t let the camera fix it or format it. This most likely indicates an inconsistency in the allocation tables, i.e., it was removed mid-write or the battery ran down in the middle of a burst (and your photos remain untouched).
A little bit. Test another reader first since built-in laptop slots are very unreliable. If it’s still not being read then your controller has probably gone bad, and because these are one piece cards that means reading through test points on the sealed box, which is less efficient than other methods; however, we find success here frequently enough.
Very inexpensive, a very high amount of storage space for an extremely low price, and sudden loss of all data once a substantial number of files have been written to the card. Fakes advertise much more storage than they actually provide, and they fail to write anything after their real storage has been filled, so recovery is limited to whatever landed on genuine flash.
Only from a backup (or duplicate) copy, and only if the card is still reading well. Software writing to the card, or the physical failure of the card, may damage what could otherwise be returned.
Our standard rate is from £250 plus VAT. We provide a fixed price written quotation for all work after a free 48-hour diagnostic. In most cases you only pay if we recover your data. Please send the memory card by itself as opposed to sending it inside the camera.
A free diagnosis is provided. Our standard charge is a flat £250 plus VAT per media item. We recover SD, microSD and CF cards of every make, photos and videos alike, and offer a free diagnosis prior to payment. In most cases you only pay if we recover your data. Begin recovering your lost data today.