Compact Flash Chip Problems

[downonfarm]

One of my Compact Flash chips, when I put it into my card reader, showed one picture properly, and then a lot of other pictures with X's over them.

I'm using Win XP Pro, and the "Safely Remove" utility froze, so I had to unplug the reader from the USB. (I know I probably should have shut down the computer first...)

Now when I put in the chip, it says that it is not formatted and asks if I want to format it now? It gives me the same message when I put it back into the camera to try to read...


Is there any way to get the pictures back? (I haven't formatted the card, hoping that there is some way to recover it.)


Any help will be appreciated

-Margaret

[Spider]

Hi Margaret,

The pics won't come back. It sounds like the previous format
was corrupted from the start. If the camera was dropped
or exposed to high levels of heat/humidity/cold then this
also may have been what effected the card.

Also, you can not harm a machine by pulling out and plugging
in USB while the machine is on. In fact that is one of the designs
of USB, to "hot-swap" devices.

I'd say format the card, give the old pics up as "lost" and keep
an eye out for this format prob again. If it does show up you
probably have a bad card and should replace it.

[lufbra]

I had a similar problem not long ago, I put my flash card into the reader I have, and nothing showed, it was determined the card was corrupt. I was told to try uploading the picture straight from the camera, using the software that came with the camera, it worked fine, the pictures were saved!!! :)

I'm not saying this is a guarantee that it'll work for you, but it's well worth a try before formatting the flash card!! :)

Dave.

[downonfarm]

Thanks for replying so quickly, guys.

I checked Lexar's site (that's the card's brand) and they sell a software package that MAY recover photos from a damaged card, even erased photos. The card actually belongs to a friend of mine, so I have to check with her to see if the pictures are worth the $40 price for the software. Of course, there's no GUARANTEE that they will be recovered with the program, just a possibility.

If she does go for the program, I'll post what the results are...


Thanks again,

Margaret

P.S. While I know that it's ok to plug and unplug USB devices without shutting down the computer, the "Safely Remove" program/utility that pops up in the system tray when the card reader is connected says that the "device" (card reader, which appears as an external drive), has to be "stopped" with this utility before removing the card to prevent loss of data.

Are you familiar with this utility? I think it just makes sure that the files on the card are closed before it is removed, but I would think I could do the same thing by just closing whatever program (usually the "scanner/Camera Wizard") that I am using to download the pictures....

When I tried to "stop" or close the files on the card, the utility froze, and I thought that may have messed up the pictures. Then again, the card was probably already damaged and that's why it froze...

Well, thanks again, and I'll let you know how we make out.

[lufbra]

I take it my suggestion didn't work? :(

Dave.

[downonfarm]

I wasn't able to try your suggestion, Dave, because when I upgraded to Windows XP, I could no longer use the software that came with my Sipix Camera. (Win Xp didn't like the driver)

That's when I bought a card reader from Sandisk and started using that.

Maybe I can find someone with Windows 98 and try on their computer....thanks for reminding me about that option. I'll post again if I get any results...


Thanks again,

Margaret

[lufbra]

Hmmm, if the camera manufacturer has a website, I'll bet you can go there and download the driver that's compatable with XP!!!! :)

Dave.