A professional photographer in London experienced a sudden failure with their SanDisk SD card, which stopped being recognized by their camera and computer. The SD card contained high-resolution wedding photos that were irreplaceable and critical to the photographer’s business. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to access the card, the photographer contacted Advanced Data Recovery, London’s leading data recovery company, for urgent help.
The Problem
The SanDisk SD card failure stemmed from:
- Logical Corruption:
- The file system on the SD card was corrupted, likely due to improper ejection or a sudden power loss during a write operation.
- Controller Failure:
- The SD card’s internal controller stopped functioning, preventing the data from being accessed or the card from being recognized.
- No Backup:
- The wedding photos were exclusively stored on the SD card with no secondary backup.
The Data Recovery Process by Advanced Data Recovery
Step 1: Initial Assessment
The recovery team performed a detailed evaluation:
- Physical Inspection:
- The SD card was checked for external damage, such as cracks or bent pins. No visible physical damage was found.
- Logical Testing:
- The card was tested on specialized equipment, confirming that it was not recognized due to controller failure.
- Data Preservation:
- The card was handled in a controlled environment to prevent further deterioration of the NAND chip.
Step 2: Controller Bypass
The team used advanced techniques to bypass the non-functional controller:
- Direct NAND Access:
- The NAND flash chip was carefully removed from the SD card and read using specialized chip readers.
- Raw Data Extraction:
- The raw data was extracted directly from the NAND chip, bypassing the faulty controller.
Step 3: Data Reconstruction
With the raw data extracted:
- File System Recovery:
- The FAT32 file system used by the SD card was reconstructed using proprietary tools to recover directory structures and file metadata.
- Image Reconstruction:
- The high-resolution wedding photos were pieced together, even from fragmented data, using advanced photo recovery algorithms.
Step 4: Validation and Delivery
- Integrity Check:
- The recovered photos were validated for completeness and quality, ensuring no corruption or missing files.
- Secure Delivery:
- The recovered images were transferred to an external storage device and securely returned to the client.
Challenges Faced
- Controller Failure:
- Accessing the NAND chip directly required advanced tools and expertise to bypass the non-functional controller.
- Fragmented Data:
- Some images were fragmented due to the sudden failure, necessitating reconstruction of individual file segments.
- Time Sensitivity:
- The client needed the data urgently to meet a delivery deadline for their client.
Outcome
Advanced Data Recovery successfully:
- Recovered 100% of the wedding photos, ensuring the photographer could deliver the images to their client without delay.
- Delivered the recovered files within 48 hours, meeting the urgent timeline for delivery.
- Provided the photographer with recommendations for safer storage and backup practices.
Lessons Learned
- Backup Regularly:
- Always back up critical files from SD cards to external drives or cloud storage after each shoot.
- Handle SD Cards Carefully:
- Avoid sudden removal or power loss during write operations to minimize the risk of corruption.
- Seek Professional Help:
- DIY recovery attempts can damage the NAND chip further. Professional recovery ensures the best chance of success.
Why Choose Advanced Data Recovery (London)?
- Flash Memory Experts:
- Expertise in recovering data from damaged or corrupted SD cards and other flash memory devices.
- Advanced Tools:
- Proprietary technology for bypassing controllers and reconstructing fragmented data.
- Fast and Reliable Service:
- Emergency recovery services tailored to time-sensitive needs.
This case highlights Advanced Data Recovery’s ability to recover critical data from failed SD cards, ensuring clients regain access to their invaluable files quickly and securely.