[Desire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Dante4212:
This morning, my phone was normal. Using apps, making calls, no problems.

Then I noticed my ring tones and my notification tones wouldn't play. Since they are stored on the Micro SD card, I thought a reboot might solve the problem. After rebooting, I get the message "SD Card Damaged". So I took it out from my phone, plugged it into the computer through a USB MicroSD reader. It detects it, and from there I can see all the files stored on there.

I decided to run a Windows (7) error check test, as that usually fixes any sort of SD problem I've had. The check ran through successfully, saying it found some problems and fixed them. After that, I put it back in the phone, boot it up, but it still wouldn't access the card. Most of my apps are stored on there, so I wanted it fixed. I took out the card and ran it through windows error check once more, only this time, I checked the box "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors" and hit start. Two hours later, I notice the progress bar hasn't budged from what I can only assume was 60-65%. I decided to hit "cancel" and look up some alternative methods.

Except as soon as I hit "Cancel", something went terribly wrong. The computer no longer acknowledged I had a MicroSD card inserted. I removed the USB adapter, removed the mSD, reinserted the mSD into the USB adapter, replugged the adapter in and -- same result. I restarted the computer, and while that cycle started, I placed the card back into the phone to see if it would detect it. No luck. By this time, the computer had restarted, and I tried to reinsert the card. It detects the USB Adapter, but it's as though there was no card inserted.

At this time, I scoured the web and countless forums (including these @ xda) with no avail. I tried nearly 10 different applications built solely for data extraction, but they all had the same problem: they couldn't detect the MicroSD card. My fellow I.T. coworker suggested using an Ubuntu Live CD and try their diagnostic tools; it couldn't detect it either.

Here are the specs of my setup:

Phone: HTC Desire CDMA (USCC)

Rom: Phoenix 1.4 BravoC

Card: Samsung 8GB Class 2 MicroSD (stock from US Celluar)
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At this point, all I'm really concerned about it just retrieving my lost data. I have important sentimental photos, and more importantly, I have important flash backups from my stock rom that I would need if I want to return my phone for warranty. Physically, the card is undamaged. No dust, no cracks, no wear & tear. Hours of googling "SD card not detected; data recovery" leads me to several unanswered problems and fake websites baiting computer illiterate people into downloading malicious software.

I've heard of solutions that involve sending a card in to have repaired, but in turn, shelling out a couple hundred. Now I'm not stupid when it comes to computers, but I'm not necessarily a genius either. I've tried several ways to circumvent this lockout issue, and I can't find any way to undo a process from the Windows error checker. Hell, I can't find any cases or threads pertaining to people having bigger problems because of the error checker.

So I call out to anyone who can help. I can buy a new card, no problem. I just need my data back. It's crucial for my phone and important for me and my memories.

Any suggestions?