Without a dependable, preexisting data backup system, recovery from memory card failures, and the resultant data loss can be expensive and near to impossible. At times, even the best data recovery technicians encounter insurmountable complications. But do not despair. Sometimes the process of memory card data recovery can be as simple as rightly applying the correct memory card data recovery software.
Data recovery solutions come in three formats: 1) Hire a data recovery specialist, 2) Purchase professional data recovery software, or 3) Download a free data recovery software package. This article addresses the second two methods of memory card data recovery.
Concept of Data Recovery
Flash memory has a limited number of write cycles. Writing zeros to the location of a deleted file would senselessly reduce the life of the memory card. Thus when files are erased, the system merely modifies the file directory so that the file seems no longer to exist.
In seeking to squeeze the most possible write cycles out of a flash card, the system applies equal usage to ever area of the card. Before deleted file space is reused, the remainder of the flash chip must be filled up.
This overwrite process is very useful for flash memory card data recovery. In fact, this is a best-case scenario for file recovery. Unless the memory card is physically unreadable, the right software, correctly applied, can help you recover lost data.
Most every data recovery software package addresses the same issues with similar methods. They go after the underlying data by ignoring the conventional Windows file system. They typically work out of RAM memory so as to avoid any risk of writing data to the target drive or flash memory card. Use them to:
- Fix partition tables
- Recover deleted partitions
- Recover boot sectors
- Fix FAT tables
- Rebuild NTFS boot sectors
- Undelete files
- Copy deleted files to new sources
- Repair MFT using MFT mirror
- More.
Memory Card Data Recovery Software
I make the following software lists for reference rather than for detailed application processes. All are considered effective data recovery packages.
- PhotoRec – Free, open source software.
- IsoBuster – Free with limited function. Pro version $29.
- Adroit Photo Recovery – Priced at $40.00.
- Photo Rescue – Priced from $29 to $99.
- Digital Photo Recovery – Priced at $29.