When a storage device starts to fail, it is natural to worry about losing the data on it. Fortunately, all is not lost: there are several ways to recover the data and even get the card working again.
Errors like this can have a logical or a physical cause, and repeated repair attempts can make things worse. If the files matter, see how memory card recovery works, starting with a free diagnosis.
In this article, you will learn how to recover the data on a RAW SD card and then make the card usable again. Read on!
What is a RAW SD card?
A RAW SD card is one whose file system is damaged or missing. The data may still be physically on the card, but the operating system can no longer interpret it, so it cannot read the files.
For a storage device to be read correctly, its data must be organized according to a file system. If that structure is damaged, the data becomes unreadable for most operating systems and programs.
Fortunately, there are specialized programs that can access the data and recover it even when the card is RAW. However, to use the card again for storing data, you will need to format it — and you should only do that after recovering your files.
Signs of a RAW SD card
A RAW SD card is easy to recognize: when you connect it to your computer, the operating system cannot read the files. Windows users may see the message “You need to format the disk in drive X: before you can use it” or something similar. Do not accept this prompt, because formatting erases the file structure.
In addition, Windows’ Check Disk tool does not work on a RAW drive. If you try to run chkdsk from the command prompt, you will see the message “The type of the file system is RAW. CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives.”
Other signs of a RAW SD card include file names replaced by strange characters, files and folders disappearing from the card, the card showing up as 0 bytes (even though there is data on it) and, finally, a “Card not formatted” error message.
Even with all these signs, there is no reason to despair. In this article, we will show you how to recover data from a RAW SD card. If your memory card is not an SD card, we recommend reading our article How to recover a corrupted memory card from a mobile phone.
Why do SD cards become RAW?
Improper use
Using the card incorrectly can cause read and write errors that eventually damage the card’s file system and make it inaccessible to the computer.
Examples of improper use include removing the card without ejecting it safely, power loss and sudden interruptions while data is being written or read.
Corruption
When the card’s file system is damaged or corrupted, the card becomes RAW. This can be caused by manufacturing defects, physical damage, normal wear and tear and even software problems.
Virus infection
Viruses and other malware can damage the card’s file system, making it unreadable and turning it RAW.
Card quality
Poor-quality cards are also much more likely to suffer file system damage and become RAW. Always buy storage devices from reputable brands.
How do I recover a memory card in RAW format?
Recover the data from a RAW SD card without formatting
The following steps show how to recover data from an SD card with Wondershare Recoverit. The process is similar in other data recovery programs.
Step 1: Select the recovery mode
Insert the SD card into the computer, open the data recovery program and select the “External Devices Recovery” mode.
Step 2: Select the RAW SD card
When the list of drives appears, select the SD card and click “Next” to start the recovery process.
Step 3: Scan the SD card
The program will first scan the card for recoverable data and display a list of what it finds. This quick scan, however, may not find everything on the card.
If you want a more thorough search, run the program’s deep scan mode before moving on.
Step 4: Preview and recover the files
When the scan is complete, you will see a list of recoverable files that you can preview. This way, you only recover what really matters and do not waste space on unnecessary files.
Now simply select the files you want and click “Recover”. Always save the recovered files to a different, safe location — never to the SD card itself — and keep a backup of the data on another device.
Repair the RAW SD card by formatting it (after recovering your data)
Formatting is the surest way to make an SD card or any other storage device usable again. However, it erases the data on the device, so only format the card once you have recovered your files. Even after formatting, not everything is necessarily lost.
You can find several ways to recover files from a formatted device in our article 11 ways to recover a formatted hard drive (the process is similar for other devices).
There are also ways to try to repair the SD card without formatting it. Bear in mind that these tools write to the card and may alter or remove damaged data, so use them only after recovering your files.
Repair the SD card using CMD
- Connect the SD card to the computer;
- Type CMD in the Windows search bar;
- Right-click Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”;
- Check the SD card’s drive letter. In this example, the letter is “H”;
- In the Command Prompt, type chkdsk H: /f /r and press Enter, replacing “H” with your SD card’s drive letter.
The computer will then try to fix errors on the SD card. Note that if Windows still detects the card as RAW, chkdsk will not run (you will see the message mentioned above); in that case, recover the data with a recovery program and then format the card. If the repair succeeds, you will be able to access the card normally again.
Error checking tool
Another option is Windows’ built-in error checking tool. To use it, follow these steps:
- Connect the SD card to the computer;
- Open File Explorer and go to “This PC”;
- Find the SD card drive and right-click it;
- In the menu that appears, click “Properties”;
- Open the “Tools” tab and click “Check” under “Error checking”.
Windows will scan the drive for errors and, where possible, try to fix them or suggest what to do next.
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Conclusion
A RAW memory card can be very frustrating, but all is not lost. With the right tools, you can recover your data and then format the card to use it again.
If you have tried all these steps and still cannot recover your data, or if you are having problems with any other type of storage device, don’t hesitate to contact Bot!
Bot specializes in data recovery, with more than two decades of experience, more than 200,000 cases, a 96% success rate and reception points in Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto and Braga. It uses proven techniques and professional equipment to recover data from memory cards in cases like this.
If you need help, fill in this form and our team will get in touch.
