Help with lost data on CF card !!!

07/13/2004 09:58:48 AM · #1

I recently got a new Sandisk Untra II 1 Go card. The write speed was really good. I ripped off a whole bunch of shots in no time.

Then I got home and put the card in my reader (also a sandisk) and there were my files, but when I selected them and copied to my computer, I got an error message. I tried again and got the same message! DOh! So I put the card back in the camera, and all of a sudden most of the RAW files I took are gone! There was one left and it said it was corrupted. The JPEGs are still there, and some RAW files in a different directory, but most are GONE.

I tried a recovery program, but to no avail. Today I tried the one suggested by Sandisk (RescuePro), and it seems to read some files but then makes my computer crash. My computer usually never crashes.

Here's my question: I forgot to format the card when I put it in the camera for the first time. Is that my problem? Or is that irrelevant?

Here's my other question: I got this card because I was going on a trip and wanted additional memory. Is this card going to give me continuous problems? My other cards have never given me a problem. Should I expect more lost files with this one?

Should I return it and get a new one?

Help!!!

07/13/2004 10:11:04 AM · #2

Wow! I downloaded the Sandisk recovery software (demo version) this morning. Within an hour, somebody fromSandisk was calling me to find out how my recovery attemps were going. Now that's service!

I'm going to try again from home later.

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

07/13/2004 04:49:54 PM · #3

Anybody?

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

07/13/2004 04:56:03 PM · #4

Hi Mario,

I don't know if this will help, but I recently recovered all 100 shots on a card that could not be read due to a damaged FAT.

I posted the process in the Tips & Trick Forum:
Recovering images from a card with a damaged FAT

Hope this helps.

MrAkamai

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

07/13/2004 07:50:00 PM · #5

I Just read about a utility for the Mac called Image Recall2 (//www.flashfixers.com). I found it in the May/June issue of Mac Design and they rate it very highly with no cons. The tester said that he was able to recover 11 images in about 3 min plus about 40 more in another 6 minutes. And the card was freshly formatted and then the 11 pictures were deleted. The additional pictures were from his friends vacation about a year ago. If you have a Mac, might want to look into this utility. I will and it costs $39.95 and it's a download.

PS: I just looked at the site and they also have Windows versions.

Message edited by author 2004-07-13 19:55:59.

ScottK

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/13/2004 08:13:16 PM · #6

I've used this program to recover files: PC Inspector. It has two modes. I think it's like a high level mode (i.e. you just deleted the files) and a more low level mode if the card has been corrupted. I've had pretty good success with it, but did once try to recover some files off a card that had since been used, and it wasn't quite as successful then.

I would definitly try for a replacement. I'd personally hate to 1) get somewhere and not be able to shoot, or even worse 2) shoot a bunch of shots, then not be able to get at them.

I can only speak from recent experience that I bought a couple of cards and didn't have to format them first.

On the flip side, I do have one SanDisk card that seems to have very similar problems to you when I try to read it on my reader at work. So far I've always been able to recover all the files if/when it gets corrupted, and it only has problems with that one reader. The reader at home has always worked perfectly with that card, as has the camera. I always placed the blame on the reader and/or my installation at work (the computer at work also has USB/plug-and-play issues with that reader). On the flip side, it seems to have only ever actually corrupted that one card, but then I don't use the reader any more out of fear. (Don't know that any of this helps you, but it felt good to get it off my chest!) ;)

Message edited by author 2004-07-13 20:15:51.

UNCLEBRO

Canon EOS-30D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/13/2004 08:16:10 PM · #7

I bought this downloadable program, and it got all my files back.
And, unlike sending your card off, I still have the program on my PC to use if it happens again.
The downloadable demo tells you if it can recover anything or not.
It even shows you a thumbnail of the "lost" picture.
Good luck.
//www.datarescue.com/photorescue/download.htm