In general there are two reasons why the data on memory flash devices (cards, USB-sticks, SSD) is inaccessible.
logical damages cause the drive to be physically recognized by the PC operating system but the damage prevents access to the data/pictures. In this case some specialized types of recovery software can help. Sometimes free recovery tools like Zero Assumption Recovery can also solve this problem.
physical damages, cause the drive to not be recognized making it impossible to access the contents of the flash-memory chip. This type of damage happens in more than 80% of all known cases. These are most frequently caused by electrical problems leading to physical damage e.g. ESD (electrostatic discharge), current interruption. Flash devices consist of a memory chip and a controller. The controller writes and reads the data from the memory chip. In most cases, the recovery is of a flash device with a damaged controller and mostly undamaged memory chips.

Formatting is required? The controller of the memory card is not in the position to inform the PC operating system about the characteristics of the memory card. Therefor the PC assumes, the memory card is not formatted and requests formatting. One could now think, the memory card problems are solved by formatting, unfortunately that does not work due to the damaged controller. Try it out, the PC will communicate, that a formatting is not possible. Finally this is then also a clear proof that any kind of software, also special formatting or rescue software!!, no more can access to the memory card.

Recoverfab recovery process: If the flash storage device is not recognized in the PC or it is impossible to access the data on it, there is only one way to get the data, unsolder the memory chip and directly access their raw data with a programmable chip reader.

What separates our offer from those of the competition?
• Recoverfab is specialized in the data rescue of memory cards/USB-Sticks (not as a sideline or second business of non removable disk data rescue)
• you know in advance what is the price for the service (pricing)
• we support cost-containment (see order form)
• Recoverfab operates a no-data, no-fee policy and provides FREE media analysis for cards we couldn't recover data, for physical broken memory chips with picture documentation
• Payment only after you have inspected and are satisfied with the recovered image samples. If all of the recovered files are not wanted or needed, then no charges will be made and the contract is void and no costs are incurred.
• via internet you can pursue the processing status (incoming, completion, shipment...)

When can files/pictures be saved?
• inadvertent deletion
• card wants to be formatted (memory card controller damaged!)
• inadvertent formatting (only if the camera does not overwrite the addresses of the sectors, not recoverable are: Canon Ixus/Powershot, Casio Exilim, Olympus Camedia/u830)
• abort through emty accumulatur (memory card controller damaged!)
• storage medium is not any longer recognized (memory card controller damaged!)
• error messages like: read error, memory card error... (memory card controller damaged!)
• pictures are transferred damaged to PC
• damages by external influences (liquids, heat, dirt)
• physical damages, without memory chip destruction

Data rescue from damaged memory cards

The big rectangle is the memory chip, is there not a crack on it, data rescue is possible.

Memory cards with damaged memory chips

The cracks have damaged the memory chips and nobody is able to repair the chips or rescue the data.