How to recover pictures from damaged memory card?

Got a Nikon d3100 camera. Took a lot of pictures. Then I used it to record a video. Out of no where it says that the memory card is damaged. I plug it in the built in card reader on my laptop. It knows that it's there and it loads slowly but it won't open the files. And now when I go on computer, sometimes it's there, and sometimes it disappears. I need those pictures back. What can I do to get them?

You may not get any of the material back. Normally when these cards fail they're gone for good.
However you can try one of the various recovery programs for free download - just Google photo recover and try a couple of them.

I'd be surprised if that'll change anything for you but it's worth a try.

Try this

* Download a program called RecoveRX from Transcend. It is free
* Insert the card into the card reader and run the program
* Any recovered image files (still and video) will be saved to the computer.

Once you have successfully recovered the images, format the card using the format feature on the program. This will format and condition the card (if it is not physically damaged)

Once you have determined if your card is still viable, format it again in the camera. That will write new file folders to the card so it will be ready to use.

Memory cards are so inexpensive now, that owning four or five 4 gb cards is not unusual for most photographers.

Opening video files requires you use a video viewer. Which one do you have?

I have used this program with some success.

st not take anymore pictures on your card.
You will need a card reader either on your computer or an external USB card reader? Put the card in the card reader, open the recuva program, the welcome to the recuva wizard will open, click on next.next box, choose 'pictures', click on next, next box choose 'on my media card' click next. Check 'enable deep scan' click on start. Wait, for it to do it's magic.

You need to use a card reader either one already in your computer (some have one, some don't). Or buy an external USB card reader. They are around 10.00 and can be found at walmart, bestbuy, frys, probably target.
The problem with built in card readers is that they will usually only read up to a 2G card.

I was not able to recover photos by hooking the camera up to the pc with the usb cord, it just won't work.

This is the important part. Choose the pics you want to recover, then choose recover, a box comes up asking where you want to save to. Choose documents/my pictures or wherever you want to save your pictures too. The pictures ONLY save to your pc and not the card.

Then format your card in the camera, this should be done with every major download to avoid corruption.