Mario’s Note: In response to a popular statement from many readers, today we’ll discover from Iaio tips for recovering photos from a damaged memory card.
One of the main components that often goes unnoticed by many photographers today is the camera memory card, arguably this, with the sensor, replaces what used to be the function of the film, both opened the doors to the era of digital photography.
- Memory cards.
- Beyond having no moving components.
- Are not free of accidental breakdowns.
- Failures and deletions.
- Which can cause a nervous breakdown.
- That’s why I’ve prepared this simple guide for you to recover your photos.
- Or at least for you to try.
- For trying not to stay?.
This is not the time or place to delve into the technical functioning of memory cards, because the process is difficult to explain and understand and is also not very relevant, but here I leave you a small approach to get an idea (if you get involved in the technical explanations and are not very interested, you can skip this part) :
Basically, these memories work in the same way as the RAM of the devices and computers we use on a daily basis, with the difference that flash memory, which includes SD, works by storing information in a non-volatile way. , that is, it is not deleted when the camera is turned off, the camera is turned off or the camera is removed as with RAM. As I said before, these memories have no moving parts like computer hard drives, the information is stored in small chips that guarantee much more speed, greater durability and a very small size.
That’s why this type of memory has become the best choice for our cameras to store photos.
Just as photographers who use roll or film cameras suffer when one is out of focus, photographers who use digital cameras do so when memories are damaged. But not only is the damage of the file system responsible for so much panic, but also the failures when deleting photos add more fire to this fire.
The main causes of having to recover data are
The first thing to do is not panic, take a deep breath and carefully read the following recommendations I have for you:
Stop using memory:
If you accidentally deleted photos or if your camera or computer tells you that the memory is not formatted or that they do not contain files, it is important not to get carried away by despair and not try any crazy procedures that can damage the files that, as incredible as it may seem, are still inside.
When a memory card is damaged or the files are accidentally deleted, the data will remain there, at least until you crush it. Yes, they are still there, the files remain registered in the storage areas of your memory card and while you with new files (new photos), you will probably still be able to recover them, even if you have already formatted them.
Connect the map to the computer
To work more comfortably and safely, I recommend that you use a memory card reader to connect it to your computer. Navigation is necessary in this case because there is no way to perform this procedure directly from the camera.
If you don’t already have a memory card reader I recommend that you get one because it is an accessory, from my point of view, indispensable, with it you avoid constantly using the camera as a means of connecting to the computer, which could cause:
Recover your files
To be able to access the files stored deep in your memory, you need to use a program specially developed for this task. Just by searching the Internet, you will find many free options and others not so much to be able to recover your photos. Here are some programs I’ve used and achieved very good results with:
Buy quality: As your budget allows, buy quality memory cards, divide into classes, and these classify memories according to the write speed with which they operate, so Class 2 memories are much slower and therefore less reliable than class memories. 10.
Be patient: when you have finished taking your photos, do not rush to remove the card from the camera and upload them to the computer, it may be that even if the flashing light does not tell us, the information will truncate it in case of a problem, it will continue to be processed. Also be careful when suddenly turn off the camera after use to avoid the same problem.
Perform periodic backups: One of the best ways to mitigate the risk of photo loss due to interruptions or errors is to perform frequent backups.
Don’t trust yourself: In the camera’s first error message regarding flash memory failures, stop using this memory. It may have been a momentary solution turning the camera off and on, but it’s a more than important indication that something is wrong. The one who warns me not to betray.
Don’t throw away the covers: this plastic box that usually comes with memories is not only a package that the manufacturer has included to beautify the product, but are designed to protect memories of possible shocks, moisture and any physical damage. that your memory may suffer.
Divide and succeed: This is a good strategy to reduce risk and prevent significant loss of information, use several lower capacity memory cards instead of a large capacity memory card, if one of them fails you will always have a large part of your job safely in others.
Maintain: While using your memory, connect it from one device to another, complete it, and download it, the device’s file system is “dirty”. A good way to clean it is to form it from time to time. I do not recommend that you do it constantly, but yes, if you have used this card on several computers at once.
General condition: you can also pay attention to the wear of their connectors and the plastic cap that protects them, because if they are very worn you are more likely to have short-term inconveniences.
Warning: Despite being rugged devices, you don’t have to trust yourself and don’t worry about them because they really deserve where your photos will be saved, at least until you download them to your computer. , heat and shocks, as excess can cause damage that you will not be able to repair with any software.
It is not always possible to recover information from a memory when the damage it suffers is not at the level of its data structure, but physical, but if you are very careful, the map will accompany you through many photographs.