SD cards are these nifty little storage thingies that we usually find in digital cameras, smartphones, and other gizmos. But every now and then, they go all RAW on us, which means they stop playing nice with devices or computers, and suddenly you can't get to your data. Bummer, right? Well, in this post, I'm gonna dive into why SD cards turn RAW and, more importantly, how to save your precious files from the clutches of a RAW SD card.

Causes of SD Cards Becoming RAW

So, your SD card turned RAW and you're freaking out? Don't worry, we got you. First, let's talk about why SD cards go rogue like this. There are a bunch of reasons, like getting hit with a virus, corrupting the file system, yanking the card out at the wrong time, or just plain old physical damage.

● Corrupt file system: Your SD card's file system can get messed up from stuff like not ejecting it properly, virus attacks, power outages, or even bad sectors on the card.

● Physical damage: These tiny, portable bad boys can easily get wrecked by careless handling, dunking them in water, extreme temps, or dropping them.

● Wonky formatting: Messing up the formatting process can turn your SD card RAW.

● Incompatible file system: Using an SD card on a device or OS that doesn't jive with it can make the file system go RAW.

● Virus or malware: Nasty little bugs can infect your SD card and make it go RAW.

● Memory card reader probs: Sometimes it's the memory card reader's fault. Broken hardware or drivers can make your card go RAW.

How to Recover a RAW SD Card

Here's a list of things you will need to recover data from a RAW SD card:

● A computer or laptop with an SD card reader (duh)

● Data recovery software (think DiskGenius, Recuva, or Disk Drill)

● Internet access (to download and install the software)

● A USB cable or card reader (if your comp or laptop doesn't have an SD card reader)

● Enough storage space (to save the recovered data)

● Patience (cause data recovery can take a while, especially if there are a ton of files)

Keep in mind, though, your chances of getting your data back depend on how messed up your SD card is. If it's physically damaged or the data's been overwritten, you might be out of luck.

I have chosen two software options that can help a user recover data from a RAW SD card.

Option A: Disk Drill

We all know the frustration of losing valuable data due to an SD card turning RAW. When this happens, it can be challenging to access or recover your files. Fortunately, Disk Drill, a reliable SD card data recovery software, comes to the rescue. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of recovering your lost data from a RAW SD card using Disk Drill, ensuring you get back your precious files with minimal hassle.

So, let's dive in and explore the step-by-step instructions for a successful recovery.

● Download Disk Drill: Visit the official website of Disk Drill and download the software. Although Disk Drill is a commercial application, the price is reasonable for its features and capabilities.

● Install and run Disk Drill: Install Disk Drill like any other application on your computer. Once installed, launch the program and grant it the necessary authorization when prompted to access your storage devices.

● Connect the RAW SD card: Insert your RAW SD card into a card reader or connect a device containing the SD card to your computer.

● Select the SD card: Open Disk Drill, and you'll see a list of available drives in the Device/Disk list. Locate your RAW SD card or card reader and select it.

● Initiate the scanning process: Click the "Search for lost data" button at the bottom right of the window. Disk Drill will begin scanning your RAW SD card for any recoverable data.

● Review the found items: As Disk Drill scans your SD card, it will display the recoverable files. Click "Review found items" on the top right to check the files before the scan is complete.

● Choose the files to recover: Place a checkmark next to the files you want to recover from your RAW SD card.

● Start the recovery process: Click the "Recover" button at the bottom left. A prompt will appear, allowing you to choose a destination folder for the recovered data. Select a location, and then click "OK" to initiate the recovery process.

● Check the recovered data: Once Disk Drill finishes recovering your files, you can choose to "Show recovered data in Explorer" to view the results using File Explorer.

By following these steps, you can efficiently recover data from a RAW SD card using Disk Drill. After recovering your files, don't forget to fix the RAW SD card, so you can use it again in the future.

Option B: DiskGenius

In this tutorial, I will guide you through the process of recovering data from a RAW SD card using DiskGenius. This powerful data recovery software is specifically designed to work with various storage devices, including RAW SD cards, making it an excellent alternative to Disk Drill.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to restore files and photos from your damaged or RAW SD card using DiskGenius:

● Download and install DiskGenius: Visit the official website of DiskGenius and download the Professional Edition for your Windows computer. After the installation is complete, launch the application by double-clicking its icon. If you haven't purchased a license for DiskGenius Professional Edition, you can start with the trial edition to verify whether your files can be recovered before deciding to buy.

● Connect the RAW SD card: Insert your RAW SD card into a card reader or connect a device containing the SD card to your computer.

● Locate the SD card: Open DiskGenius, and you'll see a list of available drives in the left pane. Browse through them to find your RAW SD card, right-click it, and select "Recover Lost Files." Alternatively, you can click the "File Recovery" shortcut button from the toolbar.

● Initiate the scanning process: In the "Recover Files" dialog box, click the "Start" button, and DiskGenius will begin a deep scan of your RAW SD card. The scan should complete quickly, especially if your SD card doesn't have a large capacity.

● Preview the recoverable files: Once the scanning process is complete, DiskGenius will display a list of recoverable files. You can check if your desired files have been found by double-clicking each file to preview its content and ensure it's not corrupted.

● Select files to recover: Choose the files you want to recover from your RAW SD card by placing a checkmark next to them.

● Save the recovered files: Click the "Save Files" button and choose a secure location on a different disk, such as your computer's internal hard drive, to store the recovered files. Note that you cannot save the recovered files to the same SD card from which you are retrieving data, as the recovery process is read-only for the original device.

By following these steps, you can efficiently recover data from a RAW SD card using DiskGenius, ensuring you retrieve your precious files without any hassle.

Verdict

Getting your data back from a RAW SD card might seem like a total nightmare, but with the right tools and tricks up your sleeve, you can totally pull it off. Pro tip: Stop using the SD card the moment you realize it's gone RAW, or you might risk more damage and data loss. Just follow the steps we've laid out in this post, and you'll be on your way to recovering your precious files and avoiding future heartache.

After you have recovered your files, it is crucial to fix the RAW SD card so you can use it again in the future. This process involves formatting the card, which will erase any remaining data on it. To format the card, follow these steps:

● Connect the SD card to your computer using a card reader.

● Open File Explorer, locate the RAW SD card and note the drive letter assigned to it.

● Press the Windows key + X and select "Disk Management" from the context menu.

● In Disk Management, find the RAW SD card by its drive letter and right-click on it.

● Select "Format..." from the context menu.

● In the Format window, choose a compatible file system (usually FAT32 for smaller cards or exFAT for larger cards), and click "OK."

● Wait for the formatting process to complete, and then safely eject the SD card from your computer.


By following these steps, you can fix the RAW SD card, allowing you to use it again with your devices. Remember to handle your SD card carefully and take necessary precautions, such as safely ejecting it from devices and protecting it from malware, to prevent it from becoming RAW in the future.