Memory Card Recovery

Memory card: logical errors

• Formatted memory card
• Data e. g. photos, videos deleted
• Data overwritten
• File system error
• Memory card is empty

Memory card: physical errors

• Memory card broken
• Memory card (inside camera) fell into the water
• Memory card got too hot/burnt
• Memory card bent
• Dirty contacts

Memory card manufacturers:

Classification of memory cards:

CompactFlash (CF)

• CompactFlash Type I
• CompactFlash Type II
• CompactFlash ATA Serial Transfer (CFast) Typ I
• CompactFlash ATA Serial Transfer (CFast) Typ II

Memory Stick (MS)

• Memory Stick Select
• Memory Stick-ROM
• Memory Stick PRO
• Memory Stick Duo
• Memory Stick PRO Duo
• Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo
• Memory Stick XC Duo
• Memory Stick XC-HG
• Memory Stick Micro (M2)
• Memory Stick HG Micro (M2-HG)
• Memory Stick XC Micro (M2-CX)
• Memory Stick XC-HG (M2 XC-HG)

Multimedia Card (MMC)

• Multimedia Card Reduced Size (RS-MMC)
• Multimedia Card mobile (MMCmobile)
• Multimedia Card micro (MMCmicro)

Secure Digital Memory Card (SD)

• Secure Digital High Capicity (SDHC/SDHC I, UHS-I)
• Secure Digital Extended Capicity (SDXC/ SDXC I, UHS-I)
• mini SD
• miniSDHC
• microSD
• microSDHC
• microSDXC
• TransFlash/T-Flash

Smart Media (SM)

• alternativ: Solid State Floppy Disc Card (SSFDC)

xD-Picture Card (xD)

• Smart Media successor

XQD

• Nikon D4
• Nikon D4s
• Nikon D5
• Nikon D850
• Nikon D500
• Sony FDR-AX1

CFexpress

This new memory card standard is currently in the development phase, accordng to the CFA. As soon as it is ready for the market, Attingo will analyse it and develop data rescue methods. 

Data rescue from monolith memories

Monolithic memory media provide a high information density and take up a relatively small space. Compared to campact flash memories the controller, the memory chips and other parts are bundled up in only one component. Aggregatively more and more manufacturers use proprietary algorithms for encryption.

The standardised and common special techniques are not working here. With monlith memories you need more specifical and elaborate methods as well as more work and time. Stereo microscopy, oszilloscopy and other technical procedures are indispensable in such a scenario. Monolith chips don't give away information about circiutry andconductor tracks, so we have to identify them through heuristic analysis.  

Electronical components are not made for eternity - that's a fact.  Overvoltage, wear and tear and quality defects (production fault) may damage every single component of a memory card, which is especially problematic with monolith memories.

A data rescue from a monolith memory card isn't impossible, but the effort may be exorbitantly high, so that the cost-benefit calculation doesn't add up for the customer. Unfortunately there are also data carriers, which don't qualify for a data rescue anymore due to the massive damage.