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10 June 2019  Jennifer Thatcher  Technology Manager of Test Dept.
 

Summary
SD card is a portable storage device. Compared with CD, it is smaller and more durable. A branded SD card can be basically used for 5 years or even longer. Unfortunately, if the SD card is burned out, the inside data cannot be read. In this essay, we will tell you how to retrieve the data in such situation.



Part 1: SD Card Structure

SD (Secure Digital) card, a durable, small and portable storage card, is applicable to devices featured on high capacities and portability, like digital cameras, PDAs and multi-media players.

The SD card is mainly formed by 4 parts: external pin, internal register, interface controller and internal memory chip.

the structure of a burned out sd card
Though the external pins, the SD card can connect with the device to read and write. The micro controller of the SD card can control and manage the memory core, receive and respond the orders from the device, and then transfer the data to the flash memory components of NAND or Not And.

If the memory chip of the SD card hasn’t been burned out yet, it is possible to recover the data.

Part 2: How if SD Card is Burned out

1. SD card is burned out

Of course, if the SD card is completely burned out, it is impossible to fix. While if the SD card is lightly burned and the external pins are merely blackened, you can try to use a data recovery application to save the data.
sd card is burned out to be black
Approach: Use the alcohol buds or eraser to slightly clean the dirt on the external pins. Then insert it into the computer with the card reader and use Renee Undeleter to recover the data.

2. SD card is burned by current overload

If the SD card is not from the normal mall, it could be refurbished or fake. These SD card feature on bad quality and unstable data storage. Once the current overload happens, the SD card will be burned out probably.

If the chip controller fortunately escapes from the burn, the data is able to be recovered. Otherwise, it is without resort to be saved.

sd card burn to be charred
Approach: If the internal components haven’t been burned, try to use Renee Undeleter to recover data.

Part 3: How to Recover Data from Burned-out SD Card

1. Renee Undeleter

Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

Steps:

① Install Renee Undeleter.

② Use a card reader to connect the SD card with the computer. Then, launch Renee Undeleter and select [Fast Partition Scan].

data recovery in renee undeleter
③ Select the target SD card and click [Next].
④ Select [Fast mode] or [Deep mode]. Click [Next] to begin scanning. The scan duration depends on the capacity.
select fast scan mode in renee undeleter
⑤ As the scan is finished, preview the files and check the target ones. Then click [Recover].
select the target files to recover in fast partition scan
⑥ Finally, select the output destination to save the files.
select the destination to save the recovered files in renee undeleter to restore sd card to full capacity

2. Recuva

Recuva is a free data recovery application. Many file types, such as images and videos, can be recovered from disks and storage cards (i.e. SD card, MMC). It is not difficult to use but only applicable to Windows.
Steps:

① Download and install the application. Select the file types.

select the file types in recuva
② Select the partition where the lost files have ever been saved. In this case, select the target SD card.
select sd card in recuva
③ Follow the prompts to begin scanning the card. Then select the target files and click [Recover] to save them.
check the files to recover sd card files in recuva
Tips It is noticed that Recuva can scan out many junk files or files segments, so it is not easy to recover your target files. And, the free version of Recuva is not powerful enough to recovery all files.
Differences between Renee Undeleter and Recuva:

Renee Undeleter

Recuva

Recover SD card data√ √
Multiple recovery modes √×
Deep scan √ (Fast) √ (Slow)
Preview files√ √
Multiple languages √ ×
Windows √ √
MacOS √ ×
OperationSimpleNot difficult
The above approaches can be used when the SD card cannot be recognized or has been damaged. By the way, click for more about data recovery softwarehere!