Sd Card Woes

[hc4361]

I have an SD card that can't be opened in any of my card readers (the card readers are fine, reading other cards without problem).

I have cleaned the contacts of the card and I'm at a loss as to what else to do. I has been working just fine. When I put the card in the reader, the drive shows on File Explorer but shows as being empty.

Advice to either get the card working or how to recover the data on it?

It's a Kingston 32GB SD4 and I have W10 machines with built in card readers and an external Lexar USB 3.0 reader.

[beckyboo]

Lots of file recovery progs on google, provided they haven't been over written. Recuva is one I've used in the past

[bhg481]

Ẁhat did you use to write the data to the card and what sort of data is it? eg, a camera with photos. Can you read the card in the device which wrote it?

[hc4361]

The card has been recording video on a security camera - it is impossible to use that camera to read the data, bhg.

beckyboo, there IS a lot of recovery programs on google, but I don't know which are genuine and safe, or free. I'll have a look at Recuva

[bhg481]

The trouble is, you need to get the computer to recognise the card before you can use Recuva.

[hc4361]

I have just discovered that fact, bhg. I get the message to insert a disk when I try to use it

[bhg481]

It's not an answer to your question hc4361 but maybe it can stop it happening again. I always use Sandisk cards in my cameras; I have done for many years and never had a problem. I bought a dashcam a while ago, so duly got some Sandisk cards for it. I had problems with one after a while, so I contacted Sandisk as the cards have a lifetime guarantee. They agreed to replace the card "this once", but pointed out that you should use "High Endurance" cards (NOT "High Performance") in such devices because they are in constant use. Maybe your security camera also needs the High Endurance cards.

[hc4361]

Thanks for the advice, noted.

[Buenchico]

You've stated that you've tried the card in different card readers but have you been using different computers or the same one?

On around half a dozen occasions I've found that I couldn't get an SD card to open on one computer (irrespective of whether I used the built-in SD card reader or a USB one) but trying it on another computer instantly got it recognised and, perhaps surprisingly, it was then recognised again by the first computer without any problems.

I've mentioned my experiences several times here on AB to others who've had problems with SD cards and, in every case, my 'solution' (if that's what it can really be called) has worked for them too.

If that doesn't work, try this:
Insert the card into a card reader (preferably an internal one).
Click the Start button.
Click on Disk Management.
Hopefully you'll then see the card listed as a drive there.
Right-click on it and select the option to change the drive's letter.
Change the letter to something that you're not likely to use (e.g. from 'E' to 'M')
Close Disk Management.
The card should then be available from 'Computer' as usual.

[bhg481]

Useful tip about trying a second computer Buenchico - I do that without thinking if I have a problem but most people don't have that luxury. It made me remember that I do have one card reader which works with my desktop but not my laptop and an identical one which works in both.

[hc4361]

I've tried it in all my pcs, buen, 2 of which have internal readers.

Will try the 'disk management' suggestion :)

[Togo]

May be having a read through Hc.

https://windowsreport.com/fix-sd-card-windows-8/

[hc4361]

Disk management suggestion is a failure - drive invalid.

Thanks for the link, Togo. Will give some of them a go.

[Tuvok]

It may be that the camera has formatted the card in its own format.

If you know anybody with a mac try them - it might work.

What make and model of camera is it?

[hc4361]

It's some obscure security camera that only records when activated by movement. It's a few years old and up until now has been trouble free.

[Togo]

I had similar problems trying to copy from an 8 year old Nikon camera card. The camera was beyond economical repair after being dropped. I ordered one of these, and bingo job done. Cheap as chips and handles phone sims and mini cards.

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[hc4361]

I have the same one, Togo!

[Togo]

Ah well hc. Worth a shot.

[Togo]

Another site that may be of use Hc.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-files-winpc/windows-10-unable-to-read-dcf-formatted-sd-card/336b25f5-8bb0-45b2-9eb1-5e17c58fd1d8

[hc4361]

EaseUS has found and recovered 30GB data but want $70 to let me access them.

Any ideas? I got the 'parameter invalid' message which led me to EaseUs and that recovered 'hidden files'.

Any suggestions for a cheaper recovery method will be welcome.