SD card transfer got rid of my town!

[orangeboy35]

So I recently bought a bigger SD card for my 3DS, and I was all excited to have more space. I followed Nintendo's instructions on transferring save data very carefully, but when I turned my 3DS on, everything was gone. And my main town which has over 900 hours and 11 months of playtime was also wiped in the process. I researched and tried all sorts of different things, but to no availl. It's gone. 900 hours gone. I just want to know what the hell happened in the process for this to happen. It's a total mystery to me. Just... **** ME!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MasterM64]

Holy ****, I feel for you so much (especially knowing how many hours I have put into my town). I don't know much how Nintendo recommends transferring data from one SD card to other, but when you transferred the data over to the other SD card, did you copy the contents or did you completely move it?

EDIT: After reading the instructions found here (https://en-americas-support.nintend...ansfer-data-between-sd-cards-or-microsd-cards), did you format your new SD card to the correct format/specifications advised by Nintendo?

 

[orangeboy35]

I'm pretty sure I copied it, I don't know if that would really make a difference, it's the same data going on the computer.

 

[LadyDestani]

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I can imagine how you must feel.

I don't know much about switching SD cards, but is there a chance your town is still on the old card and can be recovered? If I spent that much time on my town and followed all the instructions, I'd contact Nintendo to see if there was anything they could do.

 

[MasterM64]

I'm pretty sure I copied it, I don't know if that would really make a difference, it's the same data going on the computer.

I see, did you format the SD Card (like I mentioned in my edit above) to the correct format/specifications?

 

[orangeboy35]

Somehow, (I REALLY don't know why), data was wiped on the first sd card too.

 

[MasterM64]

Somehow, (I REALLY don't know why), data was wiped on the first sd card too.

When you put the original SD Card data on the desktop (appears to be the "Nintendo 3DS" directory only), did you drag it to the desktop or did you actual select the copy option (or Ctrl + C'ed) the required directory?

 

[orangeboy35]

I dragged them, I again don't think that would have made a difference.

 

[MasterM64]

I dragged them, I again don't think that would have made a difference.

It all depends on the storage device and software used, but dragging the files typically moves the files all together to the destination. To ensure you are copying the files, always select the file and CTRL + C it or right click and select "Copy". Before you do anything, can you see data on the new SD card if you plug it into your computer?

 

[orangeboy35]

Once everything was on the new sd card, it all looked exactly the same as the original sd card when I put it in. Also, Nintendo's instructions say to drag the files.

 

[MasterM64]

Once everything was on the new sd card, it all looked exactly the same as the original sd card when I put it in. Also, Nintendo's instructions say to drag the files.

I realize that it looked the same before plugging into the 3DS, but after plugging it in, did you see all the files still if you plug it back into your computer?

 

[orangeboy35]

Yep, all the same.

 

[MasterM64]

Okay then, before you do anything, copy all of those files on the SD card back to your computer. Then, once the files are copied over to the computer, download this tool mentioned in Nintendo's instructions (https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/) and follow the instructions on this page too on the NEW SD Card (not your OLD one). When using the software make sure you do: "FULL (OverWrite)". Once the new card has been formatted copy the directory back over to the new card. Hope this helps!

 

[orangeboy35]

Thanks so much!

 

[MasterM64]

Thanks so much!

You're welcome! Did it work? knowing that the files were still intact according to you, that made me think it had something to do with the format the SD card was using to store the files (needs to be FAT32 format for it to work correctly on a Nintendo 3DS/2DS).

 

[orangeboy35]

My stupid laptop isn't compatible, my family doesn't have anything that is. I was just going to keep the old sd card in this case, but that got wiped for no reason. Thanks for trying to help though.

 

[Hyrule_Crossing]

After having to lose one town (too my dog might I add) I feel so bad for you! I cried when I lost my old town. Hope this situation gets solved very very soon!

 

[MasterM64]

My stupid laptop isn't compatible, my family doesn't have anything that is. I was just going to keep the old sd card in this case, but that got wiped for no reason. Thanks for trying to help though.

Ah, I see. :/ You are absolutely welcome!

 

[Millefeui]

I lost my original town the same way in early 2014. Nowadays I have custom firmware on my 3DS, so I can backup my saves, so it is unlikely for me to lose all of my data. Sorry you lost your town.

 

[Ellexi]

I’m really sorry. If you need bells or any items, or anything, let me know! I know it can’t fix what you lost but if you need anything please message me.