Losing data files regardless of what it is, is an awful experience. With portable storage space like memory cards and MiniSd Cards growing larger from year to year we count on these more and more to store our files. Whether it is a digital cam with multiple years' worth of images and video clips to a cell phone with practically our entire lives saved on them, keeping info in these delicate hands poses a bigger risk for failure. Thankfully there are a number of solutions available that can help us recover this data when things go wrong.
File retrieval professional services
There are various companies and IT experts that can help you hopefully restore any data that might have accidently been erased or lost on a memory card. These people/companies offer a range of solutions according to what you want to restore. But bear in mind, these types of solutions tend to cost a bit compared with common programs. For instance, Geek Squad offers a $50 diagnosis, the actual data retrieval may cost between $200 and up to $1,450+ depending on the level of damage of the sdcard. While other professional services would have their own rates you can expect much of the same regarding file recovery. Whether this is worth the amount of money or not all depends on the type of data files that you lost and what it means to you. If it's a handful of images from a recent vacation it might not be nearly as priceless as say photographs, video clips and audio files grabbed in a combat zone overseas for a journalism job.
Sd Card Recovery Software
Like the previously listed services, these software programs offer a few different options when it comes to retrieving files from a MicroSd card. No matter whether it was deleted, damaged, or corrupted these software programs can potentially recover whatever you could stand to lose. Some of these software programs range in price from totally free to several $100s. While the larger price point does not always indicate a better service generally it depends on what you need to restore and how corrupted/damaged the memory card is. For instance, Recover my Photo for $40 will only recover image files with the more inclusive Recover My Files for $70. Another example is with Recuva which is offered in a free and a paid version of 35 dollars. Both Recuva versions are completely operational; however, the 35 dollars version includes support . PhotoRec is yet another data recovery computer software just like those listed earlier. But, what sets PhotoRec on top of Recover My Files/Photos and Recuva is the overall performance you get from it. The developers of PhotoRec claim that it can recover over 300 file types not just pictures or usual file types. Unlike the other two programs PhotoRec does not have a user friendly layout and as it runs on a command prompt, it can turn people who aren't aware away. In comparison to the other 2 softwares, PhotoRec is the top-end program with it being both powerful and free. But, unlike Recuva and Recover My Files/Photos it isn't nearly as easy to use. While all of the programs will probably restore your files which one you use is your call. Both Recuva and PhotoRec are totally free, Recuva has the easier to navigate interface unlike PhotoRec but PhotoRec is far more powerful. With Recover My Files/Photos might serve you well if you just need to retrieve a certain file type and don't mind shelling out the money for it. Anyway all of these programs can potentially bring whatever data files you need back.
Preventing losing your data
The most effective way to prevent losing your Sd card data and needing to recover it is by backing it up. Remember to back it up to another storage device, a pc, or by storing the data files in your email or other digital storage facility. This will eliminate the potential risk of losing or damaging your flash card and losing all the data on it. Getting into the habit of backing up your data is obviously a wise idea because like life, technology can be unstable. One second everything is OK the next the dslr camera starts making a crunching sound, smoke starts pouring out of it and before you realize it your MicroSD card was literally swallowed by your camera and hungers for more. There are some things that no matter what you do you just cannot recover it. It's for this reason that keeping a data backup isn't just a good advice but a needed safety measure.
Conclusions
Retrieving a corrupted or damaged MicroSd Card is achievable. With various data recovery services on the market you can put your data in the hands of an IT specialist and they can hopefully bring back anything that you could stand to lose. If you don't have or don't want to pay the sticker price on these services you have several options in softwares that can help. Softwares like:
Recover My Photos/Files
Recuva
PhotoRec
Every computer program has its own advantages and disadvantages when it comes down to retrieving files from your MicroSD card. Whether you choose a professional service or a data recovery program there's a very good chance that anything on your memory card can be saved. [http://www.mysdcardrecoverysoftware.com/ more information]