# Computer Question: Recovering Files From Flash Memory **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 4, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-recovering-files-from-flash-memory/462080 "2008-09-04T23:22:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Furious\_Marmot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-recovering-files-from-flash-memory/462080/1 "2008-09-04T23:22:14Z")
Does anyone know if it is possible to recover data that was on a compact flash card that has been formatted by a Canon Rebel Xti? It seems that someone, who will remain nameless, accidentally made the camera format a card that contained the only copies of a bunch of vacation pictures. What exactly does the format function on the camera do? It only took ~5 seconds, so I can’t imagine it actually overwrote approximately 500MB of data, I’m sure it would have taken longer with a hard disk, but I don’t know anything about how flash memory functions. Did it just overwrite an index of some sort? If it is recoverable, what do I need to do? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-recovering-files-from-flash-memory/462080/2 "2008-09-04T23:31:24Z")
> [@Furious\_Marmot](#): > > Does anyone know if it is possible to recover data that was on a compact flash card that has been formatted by a Canon Rebel Xti? It seems that someone, who will remain nameless, accidentally made the camera format a card that contained the only copies of a bunch of vacation pictures. What exactly does the format function on the camera do? It only took ~5 seconds, so I can’t imagine it actually overwrote approximately 500MB of data, I’m sure it would have taken longer with a hard disk, but I don’t know anything about how flash memory functions. Did it just overwrite an index of some sort? If it is recoverable, what do I need to do? Thanks. Yep. Look for the software called getdataback, and the FAT version will allow you to recover the pictures. You’ll need to put the card either in your camera, or in a memory card reader - the program needs to see the card as a drive on your computer. Let it run, and you can get your pictures back. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-recovering-files-from-flash-memory/462080/3 "2008-09-05T00:38:55Z")
There’s lots of software to help you recover images. Formatted cards are a little more difficult then deleted images, but most of the data is still there. I’ve used a few different ones, not every program works for every problem. Right now you can get a free copy of a good program here: [http://store.lexar.com/imagerescue3/index.cfm](http://store.lexar.com/imagerescue3/index.cfm) Just search on Image Recovery to find a few free or trial programs to try. ---
**Author:** ![Furious\_Marmot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-recovering-files-from-flash-memory/462080/4 "2008-09-05T20:39:12Z")
Thanks for the help. It will be a few days until I can try to recover it, I’ll let you know how it went.