Help with a memory card that won't give up its contents

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi vole-woman,

I am assuming that you are trying to transfer the data from camera to computer with the card inside the camera, and the camera connected to the computer by the usb lead that will have been supplied when you purchased the camera?

You advise that you have tried to transfer the data by having the card in three cameras. - Did you use the same usb lead in each case, or have you tried different USB leads? (If the same lead, it might be that which is faulty).

You also advise that you have tried on two computers. Normally when a camera is connected to a computer, and switched on in image playback mode, a small window will open on the computer asking what option should be followed.

Try just closing that small window, and then open windows explorer, browse to my computer, and an additional external drive should be showing, which will be the camera card.

If you click on the + sign against that drive, the sub-menu will show any folders on that drive. Normally by clicking once more, the computer will be looking at the exernal (camera card) drive, and should display each individual image file contained thereon.

If you can get to that point, you might try creating a new folder somewhere within the "my documents" or "my pictures" section of your computer, then, by browsing back to the external (camera) drive folder showing the individual files, you should just be able to select all, and then drag the selected files across to your newly created folder.

If that doesn't work, (assuming that the usb lead is ok), then your camera card is definitely faulty.

This method avoids any need to use the Lexar software, or any camera manufacturers software that you might normally be using to transfer your image data, and should enable you with some certainty to decide whether it is in fact the card which is at fault.

Regards,
Mike.

[Doggle Avaddit]

The easiest way to check whether the card is faulty is to try another card in any of the above combinations of cameras/cables/computers.


If another card transfers its photos no problem, then the card in question is obviously faulty or corrupted.

[vole-woman]

You lot are so helpful.

It's definitely the card - brand new, bought yesterday - but I'm sure with the suggestions in this thread I'll get it sorted tomorrow.

Cheers

Kate X

[loripo]

I assume that the 8GB card is SDHC - in which case you need to ask for a reader that supports these. Amazon advertise one thats a one slot for SDHC for only £2 odd.

[Doggle Avaddit]

Originally Posted by vole-woman

You lot are so helpful.

It's definitely the card - brand new, bought yesterday - but I'm sure with the suggestions in this thread I'll get it sorted tomorrow.

Cheers

Kate X

I've had a few weird things happen to cards that I think is down to formatting. You can usually format a new card in the camera from the camera menu, but you can also format the card in Windows via a card reader connected to your computer. I've solved some problems by doing the latter.

If your problems are down to some formatting issue, hopefully the recovery software will sort this out. If you didn't actually format your new card before you used it, then this may be the problem.

[Doggle Avaddit]

Gasp - please excuse me if you know this already, but if you attempt to format your card now you will lose all data on it and will not be able to recover anything at all!!!

[loripo]

I too didnt realise that it was a good idea to format a new card. I havent had a problems so far, but will do so in future (Just checked online).
Do you have any local Snappy Snaps or such photo processing shops local to you - they might be able to retrieve your photos.

[Jim Ford]

Try the 'Zero Assumption Recovery' tool:

ZAR data recovery software - do it yourself data recovery and digital image recovery.

You can use the free trial version to recover only a few items at a go, but it's worth trying.

Jim

[Doggle Avaddit]

It is also worth noting that not all cameras will take an 8GB card. Many are restricted to less than this. It is well worth reading the manual before attempting to use an oversize card that may look as though it is working but actually isn't.


It is also worth noting that there are lots of fake cards out there, usually bought online or at boot fairs etc. They are specially constructed to appear to the equipment to be, say, 8G, but are actually 1G cards with some extra circuitry to fool the recording device into believing they are bigger. What usually happens is that when the card fills up, the new photos start to wipe out the old ones.

Always buy your cards from reputable dealers. Definately not a Boot Fair.

[sidewalkdoctor]

Always format your card _after_ transferring the photos onto your PC either in camera or on PC! This will lead to less errors ocurring as there will be no overwrite of old files.