How to fix corrupt memory card?

3 years 1 month ago #712523 by Lisa Brookhurst
I have a 32GB micro SD card that when placed in computer gives error "card is unreadable by this computer" or something like that.  I have tried to put the card back in my drone, but the drone doesn't see it either.  I was hoping it be seen and I could reformat it.  But not seeing how this is possible.  

Any ideas or is this a lost cause?  


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3 years 1 month ago #712525 by Nikon Shooter

Lisa Brookhurst wrote: Any ideas?  


I guess your best resource would be your instruction manual, Lisa.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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3 years 1 month ago #712545 by fmw
If your device won't format it, then it is shot.  That would also explain why your computer wouldn't read it.


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3 years 1 month ago #712546 by CharleyL
Because it's worthless, unless you can find a way to fix it, I would try reformatting it in the PC. Pick a selection that low level reformats it, not quick reformat. It will find and flag any defective areas. Then put it in your drone and it should be recognized, but need reformatting by the drone. After the reformatting, your card should work again, less the bad sectors with the problem. 

At the present cost of memory cards, I wouldn't put much faith in this card anymore, and would just replace it with a new one, if desperate to get the card working until it can be replaced, the above method might get it useable again. It could be a permanent fix, but maybe not. I consider my photo data to be much more valuable than the price of these cards.

Charley 


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3 years 4 weeks ago #712614 by Lisa Brookhurst
Crap, seriously?  


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3 years 4 weeks ago #712680 by CharleyL
You could pay to have data recovered from it, but it's expensive, and I have not been successful at this using several different low cost programs. Sending it out for recovery gets cost prohibitive very quickly, and may not recover very much. To me, the cheapest and best solution is just to replace the card. At todays prices, I would never try to use a card that developed problems again, even if it could be reformatted. Buy another card is the cheapest and best solution.

Charley


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3 years 3 weeks ago - 3 years 3 weeks ago #712780 by TCav
I've been able to reformat cards using the Disk Management portion of the Computer Management app available under Windows Administrative Tools menu, then format it in the device.

If you can't use the card any other way, what have you got to lose?

But keep in mind that if the card gets to this point, and you are able to bring it back to life, you REALLY shouldn't trust it for anything important.


The following user(s) said Thank You: CharleyL
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3 years 3 weeks ago #712812 by Kenya See
Good post TCav!  I have a couple cards, from the last few years that have taken the same fate as OP.  


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3 years 3 weeks ago #712887 by Chester Foster
Buy a new one


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3 years 3 weeks ago #712888 by fmw
Some advice. Memory cards are not suitable for storing images long term.  They are temporary holders of the data until you can get the images into a computer.  I buy the smallest size I can find (currently 8G.)  I load them into the computer after the day's shooting and then reformat them.  Smaller sizes are more reliable.  Understanding that they are temporary storage devices is important.

I keep my images on a NAS (network attached storage) that backs itself up.  When memory cards fail, I just toss them and put in a new one.


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3 years 3 weeks ago #713007 by Owen
:agree:  memory cards are so cheap, just buy new.  


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3 years 3 weeks ago #713111 by EOS Man
Exactly, just pick up a new one

5D Mark II | 50mm f/1.4 EX | 24-70mm f/2.8L | 70-200mm f/2.8L | 430EX
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3 years 1 week ago #714364 by Uplander
So what happened here?  


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3 years 1 week ago #714385 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day all

A few years ago we had a memory card fail where we absolutely must get the images back. Our favourite son graduating from university with his PhD

A local card security agency advised that they "would try" - it would involve opening up the SD card, manually reconnecing circuits to their equipment and then "they would see what they could get"

We were asked for a $1000 deposit for their time and if it went well, we might get a refund of some of it

The Senior Finance Manager told me that she would go elsewhere and try for an image from someone else's camera ~ where she found a copy of the lad receiving his certificate :P

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

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3 years 1 week ago #714420 by Office Guy
Card goes bad today, just replace it.  I don't buy the largest cards, never have.  I buy middle of the road size, making it cost efficient to replace when needed. 


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