Broken SD memory card

Adam · 11-07-2012, 12:37 AM

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So the casing of one of my older SD cards has basically come apart, and some of the teeth between the data pins have also broken loose, preventing my K-5 or my PC from reading it.

My old laptop was able to read the broken card, but ironically, it too shit the bed, and there are some photos on this card that I really want to post...

Any ideas on how to recover the data?

Adam
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Chaos_Realm · 11-07-2012, 03:04 AM

Originally posted by Adam

So the casing of one of my older SD cards has basically come apart, and some of the teeth between the data pins have also broken loose, preventing my K-5 or my PC from reading it.

My old laptop was able to read the broken card, but ironically, it too shit the bed, and there are some photos on this card that I really want to post...

Any ideas on how to recover the data?

Tough one, but you might be able to use some conductive glue to fix the loose data pins.

wildweasel · 11-07-2012, 04:00 AM

Maybe try a couple of memory card readers? They might recreate the compression that I assume the old laptop put on the card and re-make the broken connections. Or you could try putting strips of tape on the card to apply pressure when inserted into a card slot.

Docrwm · 11-07-2012, 04:20 AM

I had something like that happen and the one thing that worked was a cheap external USB card reader. It seemed to me it compressed from the top and bottom instead of gripping the card from the sides as most slots/readers do.

jamarley · 11-07-2012, 07:24 AM

If it is just a matter of top-to-bottom compression an external reader would be my choice, combined with some means of compression. Options that come to mind are the previously mentioned tape, light-duty pliers or vise grip, or tension-adjustable spring clamp. Just be sure not to use excessive pressure which might crack the housing entirely and ensure the pressure is evenly distributed. I would start with slight pressure and if it doesn't work, only increase the pressure in small steps. And may the memory gods be with you

Adam · 11-07-2012, 10:47 AM

I'll guess I'll roll the dice and buy a few cheap external readers! Wish I could get my old laptop fixed...

wildweasel · 11-07-2012, 01:00 PM

All the £ shops over here sell them, so I reckon you'll probably find some at $ stores over there. Not too huge an outlay either if that doesn't work for you.

Ratmagiclady · 11-07-2012, 08:36 PM

I suggest sacrificing a cheaparse SD reader, breaking it open to the extent necessary, and simply clamping or taping the remains of your card into it if that is still possible.

Blue · 11-07-2012, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by Adam

So the casing of one of my older SD cards has basically come apart, and some of the teeth between the data pins have also broken loose, preventing my K-5 or my PC from reading it.

My old laptop was able to read the broken card, but ironically, it too shit the bed, and there are some photos on this card that I really want to post...

Any ideas on how to recover the data?

Do you have one of the USB SD type readers available? You could try to jury rig it in one of those and then insert it into the usb of a desk top.

twitch · 11-07-2012, 08:40 PM

Boot old laptop with linux distro cd

Ratmagiclady · 11-07-2012, 08:42 PM

Originally posted by Blue

Do you have one of the USB SD type readers available? You could try to jury rig it in one of those and then insert it into the usb of a desk top.

That's actually what I was thinking, (and possibly someone else before, now that I read carefully.) If it's plain old SD, I might have a suitable bit kicking around here, actually. A couple pieces fell off but it still worked till even smaller cards went HC.

Also, I've had another thing which is a curiosity in its own right. I can't remember if I sent it north with sweetie or not, but apparently at some point it made sense to a company put plain old SD card readers in in like old modem casings. I think it was an older protocol and cost a quarter, but it had the virtue of being big and white and something my sweetie couldn't lose.

It may or may not still be here somewhere, but it ought to be eminently-take-apart-able.

Adam · 11-07-2012, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by twitch

Boot old laptop with linux distro cd

Can't lol, the motherboard's basically melted.

LFLee · 11-07-2012, 08:59 PM

Originally posted by Adam

I'll guess I'll roll the dice and buy a few cheap external readers! Wish I could get my old laptop fixed...

I would 2nd that. external reader might help.

**Cee Cee** · 11-07-2012, 09:27 PM

If you have soldering skills (or you know someone that does) and suitable fine tip iron, hard wire from SD card contacts to USB card reader, ... think "Alien" and wiring up Bishops Head !

wildweasel · 11-07-2012, 09:28 PM

I'm sure you've already considered one of these, but they let you get your hard drive back for pennies. I have three drives in these. Don't ask why... BLACK 2.5" INCH USB 2.0 EXTERNAL SATA HARD HDD DISK DRIVE CASE ENCLOSURE CADDY | eBay

11-07-2012, 12:37 AM	#1
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Broken SD memory card Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. So the casing of one of my older SD cards has basically come apart, and some of the teeth between the data pins have also broken loose, preventing my K-5 or my PC from reading it. My old laptop was able to read the broken card, but ironically, it too shit the bed, and there are some photos on this card that I really want to post... Any ideas on how to recover the data? Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

11-07-2012, 10:47 AM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595 Original Poster	I'll guess I'll roll the dice and buy a few cheap external readers! Wish I could get my old laptop fixed... Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

11-07-2012, 08:42 PM	#11
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by Blue Do you have one of the USB SD type readers available? You could try to jury rig it in one of those and then insert it into the usb of a desk top. That's actually what I was thinking, (and possibly someone else before, now that I read carefully.) If it's plain old SD, I might have a suitable bit kicking around here, actually. A couple pieces fell off but it still worked till even smaller cards went HC. Also, I've had another thing which is a curiosity in its own right. I can't remember if I sent it north with sweetie or not, but apparently at some point it made sense to a company put plain old SD card readers in in like old modem casings. I think it was an older protocol and cost a quarter, but it had the virtue of being big and white and something my sweetie couldn't lose. It may or may not still be here somewhere, but it ought to be eminently-take-apart-able. Last edited by Ratmagiclady; 11-07-2012 at 08:49 PM.

11-07-2012, 08:52 PM	#12
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595 Original Poster	Originally posted by twitch Boot old laptop with linux distro cd Can't lol, the motherboard's basically melted. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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11-07-2012, 03:04 AM	#2
Chaos_Realm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,251	Originally posted by Adam So the casing of one of my older SD cards has basically come apart, and some of the teeth between the data pins have also broken loose, preventing my K-5 or my PC from reading it. My old laptop was able to read the broken card, but ironically, it too shit the bed, and there are some photos on this card that I really want to post... Any ideas on how to recover the data? Tough one, but you might be able to use some conductive glue to fix the loose data pins.

11-07-2012, 04:00 AM	#3
wildweasel Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Plymouth Posts: 359	Maybe try a couple of memory card readers? They might recreate the compression that I assume the old laptop put on the card and re-make the broken connections. Or you could try putting strips of tape on the card to apply pressure when inserted into a card slot.

11-07-2012, 04:20 AM	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I had something like that happen and the one thing that worked was a cheap external USB card reader. It seemed to me it compressed from the top and bottom instead of gripping the card from the sides as most slots/readers do.

11-07-2012, 07:24 AM	#5
jamarley Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Photos: Gallery Posts: 409	If it is just a matter of top-to-bottom compression an external reader would be my choice, combined with some means of compression. Options that come to mind are the previously mentioned tape, light-duty pliers or vise grip, or tension-adjustable spring clamp. Just be sure not to use excessive pressure which might crack the housing entirely and ensure the pressure is evenly distributed. I would start with slight pressure and if it doesn't work, only increase the pressure in small steps. And may the memory gods be with you

11-07-2012, 01:00 PM	#7
wildweasel Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Plymouth Posts: 359	All the £ shops over here sell them, so I reckon you'll probably find some at $ stores over there. Not too huge an outlay either if that doesn't work for you.

11-07-2012, 08:36 PM	#8
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	I suggest sacrificing a cheaparse SD reader, breaking it open to the extent necessary, and simply clamping or taping the remains of your card into it if that is still possible.

11-07-2012, 08:38 PM	#9
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Adam So the casing of one of my older SD cards has basically come apart, and some of the teeth between the data pins have also broken loose, preventing my K-5 or my PC from reading it. My old laptop was able to read the broken card, but ironically, it too shit the bed, and there are some photos on this card that I really want to post... Any ideas on how to recover the data? Do you have one of the USB SD type readers available? You could try to jury rig it in one of those and then insert it into the usb of a desk top.

11-07-2012, 08:40 PM	#10
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Boot old laptop with linux distro cd

11-07-2012, 08:59 PM	#13
LFLee Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,292	Originally posted by Adam I'll guess I'll roll the dice and buy a few cheap external readers! Wish I could get my old laptop fixed... I would 2nd that. external reader might help.

11-07-2012, 09:27 PM	#14
Cee Cee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glenroy, Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,441	If you have soldering skills (or you know someone that does) and suitable fine tip iron, hard wire from SD card contacts to USB card reader, ... think "Alien" and wiring up Bishops Head !

11-07-2012, 09:28 PM	#15
wildweasel Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Plymouth Posts: 359	I'm sure you've already considered one of these, but they let you get your hard drive back for pennies. I have three drives in these. Don't ask why... BLACK 2.5" INCH USB 2.0 EXTERNAL SATA HARD HDD DISK DRIVE CASE ENCLOSURE CADDY \| eBay