Article 10 - When do I use Software?

Many people will often misunderstand when to use software when attempting to recover data / images from a failed memory stick or SD card. Whilst there is never a golden rule the following information may assist people in coming to the right decision.

Failed flash media will often give the following error message - "Your device requires formatting". This often gives rise to the assumption that the faulty card will be recoverable by software as the user will think the card has been formatted. Software of course is often employed to recover cards and other flash media that has been formatted either accidentally or deliberately. 

However in the example quoted above software is not suitable as the card will actually have a faulty / failed controller chip and this will mean that the device will not respond in any way to software being run on the device.

If you get this error message then the only option for a recovery will be the removal and decoding of the internal Flash NAND chip. Do not consider using software, particularly if the software isn't offered a free trial basis first. Whilst running software won't do the chip any harm it would be an unnecessary expense should the software have to be paid prior to downloading and running on the card.

So to conclude - our advice is - only run software if you know that data or images have been deleted either by intent or accident. In doing so please consider the length of time that has elapsed since the data was deleted and if images or data have been written to the card / device subsequent to this happening, as this can have a bearing on the chances of a successful recovery from the device. The general rule is the longer that has elapsed since the act of deleting the less likely a full and useable recovery is.

posted 24/07/10