Memory Card Not Formatted Error

"I have a 2GB memory card for my digital camera, but I cannot access the card anymore. If I attempted to access the cad, digital camera said the card is not formatted. I tried to connect the card to my computer via a card reader, and Windows system still reported the same error message that memory card needs to be formatted before I can use it. The file system of the memory card has changed to RAW from FAT32. The memory card contains lots of important data, so I want to ask how to fix the memory card not formatted error and convert the memory card from RAW to FAT32 without formatting the card."

Solution for Unformatted Memory Card Recovery

A memory card will report not formattederror result of many causes, which will prevent you from accessing any file on the card. If you want to access the card without losing any data, you can use the read-only data recovery software iCare Data Recovery Software. This software has the ability to recover files off RAW unformatted memory card. You just need to run the software and it can help restore all kinds of lost files such as pictures, videos, music, etc off different types of memory card including SD card, mini SD card, micro SD card, MMC, SDHC, SDXC, XD card, CF card and memory stick. Here is the guide for unformatted memory card data recovery:

Step1. Connect the memory card to your computer. Download and install the iCare Data Recovery Software. Launch the software and select a recovery module.

Step2. Choose the unformatted memory card so that the software can scan. You just need to wait before the scanning is finished.

Step3. Once the scanning is completed, you can preview some found files. Then, you can select all files you need to recover and save them to any other storage media instead of the unformatted memory card.

Memory Card Changes to RAW Format

Usually, when you receive not formatted error on memory card, its file system also changes to RAW accordingly. As you know, a memory card usually has FAT16 or FAT32 file system. When it changes to RAW file system, it does not allow you to access the card or read any data from the card because system cannot recognize a RAW file system. If you want to access a RAW memory card normally, you need to change the RAW file system back to FAT16 or FAT32. Therefore, you need to format the memory card when it has RAW file system. If there is important data on the memory card, you need to format the card after data recovery.

Windows Was Unable to Complete the Format

PC or digital camera asks you to format the memory card when it changes to RAW file system? However, you may receive another message that Windows was unable to complete the format when you attempt to format the card? Probably, the data stored on the card is corrupted which prevent you from formatting the card. In this situation, you can try to run Windows built-in Error-checking tool to fix possible bad sectors on the card. If you still want to format the card when receiving the error message, you can use professional format tool to complete the format.

Tips for Unformatted Memory Card Recovery

1. Do not format the unformatted memory card before data recovery

Formatting does not erase data on the card permanently, but it will mark the memory card space as empty and prepare it for new data storage. If you write any new data to the formatted memory card, it may overwrite the original data. Once the original data is overwritten, you will lose the chance to restore it. Therefore, you had better not format the unformatted memory card before getting back the files you need.

2. Protect the memory card from being physically damaged

You should prevent the memory card from being physically damaged if you want to get back lost files from the unformatted card. Data is unrecoverable from any memory card that is physically damaged.

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