Recovery methods · IMG, DD, RAW or BIN image
sector-by-sector disk image: start safely
How do I start sector-by-sector disk image without changing the source?
Short answer
First check capacities: the image destination needs free space for the source's full capacity, not just its used space, and must be a different physical drive. Identify both devices by model and size before starting, because swapping source and destination overwrites the card. Save the image uncompressed as IMG, DD, RAW or BIN.
The situation
The source and destination for sector-by-sector disk image have not yet been safely separated.
An image is a byte-for-byte copy of the whole medium, including the areas no directory currently claims. Making one turns a fragile, possibly failing card into a file you can scan as often as you like, but it only helps if the copy runs in the right direction.
01 / Diagnose
Work out what actually disappeared
Two mistakes account for most damage during imaging. The first is swapping source and destination, which writes an empty image over the card you wanted to save. The second is underestimating space: an image covers full capacity, not used capacity, so a 64 GB card needs 64 GB free even when only a few clips remain.
Selecting the wrong device or export path can make a sound method destructive. For sector-by-sector disk image, this matters because an uncompressed image freezes the source state for repeatable analysis
Check the last known path, trash and backups without writing to the original device.
02 / Protect the source
Preserve the best recovery chance
- 1
Check the free space on the destination drive against the full capacity printed on the card, and clear room before starting rather than during the run.
- 2
Attach source and destination together, note both by model and capacity, and confirm which device letter or node belongs to the card.
- 3
Create the image uncompressed as IMG, DD, RAW or BIN, and let the run finish without putting the computer to sleep.
- 4
Store the finished image on that drive, then work only from the image and keep the card aside as the untouched reference.
Do not save the image onto the card itself, do not compress it into an archive, and do not interrupt a run that looks slow. A compressed archive cannot be scanned directly, and a cancelled pass leaves an incomplete file whose missing sectors look like empty space.
03 / Choose the method
Match the tool to the source
For stable, readable exFAT, NTFS and FAT16/FAT32 or uncompressed IMG, DD, RAW and BIN images.
Unconfirmed exports are marked .UNVERIFIED.
File Recovery Hero reads uncompressed IMG, DD, RAW and BIN images read-only; creating the image is a separate step with a disk utility. A card that clicks, heats up or drops off the bus needs a laboratory, and encrypted media stay closed.
04 / Verify
Check the recovered content, not just its name
The image is usable when its size equals the card capacity in bytes rather than the space in use, the run reported no unreadable sectors, and a scan of the image lists the same folders the card shows. Repeat the scan once and compare the two result lists.
Keep the source until two verified copies exist. One working preview is not enough.
Sources and technical references
FAQ
Questions about this recovery case
Can IMG, DD, RAW or BIN image be recovered in this situation?+
An image is a byte-for-byte copy of the whole medium, including the areas no directory currently claims. Making one turns a fragile, possibly failing card into a file you can scan as often as you like, but it only helps if the copy runs in the right direction. The result still depends on what remains readable on the source.
What should I avoid before scanning?+
Do not save the image onto the card itself, do not compress it into an archive, and do not interrupt a run that looks slow.
Does scanning write to my memory card?+
Your memory card is only read. Nothing is saved to it.
How do I know whether the result is complete?+
The image is usable when its size equals the card capacity in bytes rather than the space in use, the run reported no unreadable sectors, and a scan of the image lists the same folders the card shows.