Losing data from an external storage device such as a memory card or an SD card is quite a common problem that is faced by people all over the world. It can happen due to a number of reasons such as entry of malware into the card that corrupts files, virus attack or simply because the memory card has been overused for a long time.

The bad thing about memory card corruption is that you may lose all data on it if it happens. The good thing about it is that there are a number of software programs available online that can help you recover all the data from your corrupt memory card.

Here is a step-by-step easy guide showing you how to retrieve any lost data from your corrupt memory card:

  1. Download and install data-recovery software on your computer

There are plenty of software programs available online that allow recovery of lost data from memory cards. Download.com is a useful website to search for data-recover software. Run a search with “data recovery” as your keywords to find a list of appropriate software programs available for free download or at least permission to use for a trial period before buying it. Once you download one of these programs, install it by following the instructions as they appear on your monitor screen.

  1. Connect memory card for your computer to read it

Allow your computer to read your memory card after you insert it into the slot on your CPU. If it is not detected at all then there must be some issues with the hardware of the card. This cannot be solved with the help of the recovery software. Otherwise, your computer should e able to read it as soon as the memory card is connected.

  1. Allow the data-recovery software to detect the memory card

Once your computer has read the card, open the data-recovery program and allow it to search for any connected external storage devices. It should be able to read your memory card instantly.

  1. Recover data and save it on a different location

Give a command for the program to run a scan on the memory card and recover all the lost and corrupt files. Once they are detected you must remove them from the memory card to avoid further loss, or at least save copies of them on your hard drive.

  1. Format the memory card

Once the lost data has been recovered and stored away safely in some other location, you must run a scan on your memory card and format it to ensure there are no corrupt files, malware, virus or other harmful items on it. Formatting will result in wiping the memory card clean of any files that were previously stores.

Once it has been formatted it should be available for use by you to store things once again.