SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

No matter what recovery software you use, if the card can’t be read it won’t work. What happens is the FAT (File Allocation Table) gets corrupted. That’s the index that tells your system which memory location the file starts in. When you reformat it reinitializes the FAT, the files are still there. It doesn’t delete any of the data, just the indexes to the data. That’s why when the Feds are closing in and you need to get rid of the evidence you don’t just delete the files. You need to overwrite the entire drive so they can’t cull out bits of data still on the drive. 😜🤪
Anyway, back on point. Once the card is formatted and can be read by the system, the recovery software takes over and ignores the indexes and finds the actual files.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Once you format, your images are no longer recoverable.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I’m not suggesting that he do so, but for background, it depends on the type of format. A “quick” format doesn’t delete data, it simply modifies the allocation table to mark the blocks as able to be written - the data itself is not destroyed until you overwrite those blocks with new data. On the other hand, a “full” format in later versions of Windows writes 0s to all blocks/sectors and checks for bad blocks/sectors, which destroys the data.

It sounds as if Recuva (or whatever file restoration SW the OP is trying) is saying the disk needs to be formatted. Since I don’t know the specifics of how the particular recovery SW operates, I don’t know whether the OP is getting the message because Windows can’t identify any files or because the recovery SW wants a new file structure that it recognizes in place before attempting recovery. Someone who is familiar with the intricacies of the specific recovery software may be able to add some detail.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Check Google and the Recuva Web site.

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

Thanks to you and SuperflyTNT for your responses. As you said, someone who is familiar with the intricacies of the specific recovery software may be able to add some detail. This problem is something that can happen to anyone and I hope that Jef will be able to help him out. Hopefully, the OP will let us know how or if he manages to recover his photos and share the results with us.

I was concerned that he didn't do the incorrect thing and was then unable to recover his files. This is what I like about UHH with members trying to help each other out in a pleasant way.

tjw47 Loc: Michigan

Did you try the Deep Scan option in Recuva ?

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

Sending everyone and their family good wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Heather

grandpaw

Yes I did try the deep scan

grandpaw

Giving you an update on my SD card data recovery problem. Recuva did not work with either the free or paid version. I looked around and checked out EaseUs Data recovery and tried them. I got into a live chat with Warren and he managed to recover all of my photos for me. It cost $me $69.95 plus tax but I now have all of my photos and my blood presser had dropped and gone back to normal. I would like to thank all of the many members that chipped to try and help me with my data problem. It was very impressive the amount of people that offered me help, and I would like to thank each and every one of you for you ideas.

Below is one of the many pictures that I was missing. The monument or memorial had a cut out in the form of a soldier and I had the idea to have one of the attending soldiers stand behind the cut out section at attention with a salute to fill in the area and I like the results. Thanks again for all the help. I am happy again now that I have gotten my images back!!!!!

(Download)

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Great grandpa. Glad you got them back. And that's a great photo also.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Great news and a nice photo to boot. Now configure that second slot for backup and start using it! 😸

grandpaw

That is a done deal from now on!!!!