How to retrieve deleted videos from sd card​？

Retrieving deleted videos from an SD card can be a challenging but often possible task.

I. Basics of Data Deletion on SD Cards

When a video is deleted from an SD card, it’s not immediately erased from the physical storage. Instead, the file system marks the space occupied by the video as available for new data to be written. As long as new data doesn’t overwrite the space where the deleted video was stored, there’s a good chance of recovering it.

File Systems Commonly Used on SD Cards

FAT32: A widely used file system for SD cards. It’s relatively simple and supported by many devices. When a file is deleted in FAT32. the file entry in the file allocation table (FAT) is marked as deleted, and the data clusters that the file occupied are released for reuse.

exFAT: Similar to FAT32 but with some improvements, such as support for larger file sizes and volumes. The deletion process is also based on marking the file entries and releasing the data clusters.

II. Using Data Recovery Software

1. Popular Data Recovery Software Options

Panda Assistant is a powerful and user-friendly data recovery tool designed to assist individuals and businesses in retrieving lost, deleted, or corrupted files from various storage devices. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted important documents, encountered a system crash, or experienced physical damage to your device, Panda Assistant offers a reliable solution to restore your valuable data.

Supporting a wide array of file types such as photos, videos, documents, and audio files, Panda Assistant works seamlessly with different storage devices, including hard drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), USB flash drives, memory cards, and more. Its versatility makes it an ideal tool for both personal and professional use, as it can handle a range of data recovery situations, from simple file deletions to more complex cases involving corruption or formatting errors.

What sets Panda Assistant apart is its intuitive interface, which makes it accessible even to users with little technical experience. The program guides you step-by-step through the recovery process, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience. Users can scan their storage devices for lost files, preview the recoverable data, and restore it with just a few clicks. Additionally, Panda Assistant offers advanced features like deep scanning, which helps in recovering files that are harder to retrieve, especially from damaged or corrupted devices.

2. Steps to Use Data Recovery Software

Connect the SD Card:

Insert the SD card into a card reader and connect it to your computer. Make sure the card reader is working properly and your computer recognizes the SD card.

Download and Install the Software:

Download the chosen data recovery software from its official website. Be careful to avoid downloading from untrusted sources to prevent malware infections. Install the software following the installation instructions provided.

Select the SD Card and Start the Scan:

Open the data recovery software and select the SD card as the target drive for the scan. Start the scan process. The time it takes for the scan to complete depends on the size of the SD card and the amount of data it contains. For example, a 32GB SD card with a lot of fragmented data might take several minutes to an hour for a deep scan.

Preview and Recover the Videos:

After the scan is completed, the software will display a list of recoverable files. Look for the deleted videos you want to retrieve. Some software allows you to preview the videos to ensure they are the correct ones. Once you’ve identified the videos, select them and click the “Recover” button. You’ll need to choose a location on your computer’s hard drive to save the recovered videos. It’s recommended not to save them back to the SD card immediately to avoid overwriting any remaining data that might be needed for further recovery.

III. Precautions and Considerations When Using Data Recovery Software

1. Stop Using the SD Card Immediately

As soon as you realize that you need to recover deleted videos, stop using the SD card. Any new data written to the card can overwrite the space where the deleted videos are stored. For example, if you continue to take new photos or videos on the SD card, the chances of successful recovery of the previously deleted videos will decrease significantly.

2. Backup Your Recovered Data

After successfully recovering the videos, make sure to create a backup of them on a reliable storage device, such as an external hard drive or a cloud storage service. This way, you won’t risk losing them again in case something goes wrong with the original SD card or the computer where they were recovered.

3. Be Aware of the Limitations of Data Recovery Software

Data recovery software is not always 100% effective. The success of recovery depends on various factors such as the extent of overwriting, the condition of the SD card, and the type of deletion. For example, if the SD card has been physically damaged or if the data has been overwritten multiple times, the software may not be able to recover the videos.

IV. Professional Data Recovery Services

1. When to Consider Professional Services

If the data recovery software fails to retrieve the deleted videos or if the SD card is physically damaged, it may be time to consider professional data recovery services. Professional services have specialized equipment and expertise to deal with more complex data recovery scenarios.

For example, if the SD card has been exposed to water, extreme temperatures, or has suffered from a mechanical shock, professional recovery may be the only option.

2. What to Expect from Professional Data Recovery Services

Diagnosis: The service provider will first diagnose the condition of the SD card. They will check for physical damage, logical errors in the file system, and other issues that might affect the recovery process.

Cost: Professional data recovery can be expensive. The cost depends on the complexity of the recovery task, the amount of data to be recovered, and the type of SD card. For example, recovering data from a severely damaged SD card with a large amount of valuable video content can cost several hundred to thousands of dollars.

Success Rate: Professional services generally have a higher success rate than consumer – grade data recovery software, especially for complex cases. However, they still can’t guarantee 100% recovery, especially if the data has been severely damaged or overwritten.