Digital Photo Recovery FAQs
When I try
to view my photographs I get a "card is not
formatted" error message. Is there any hope
of getting my photos back?
- Yes! The odds are pretty good that some or most of your photographs are still recoverable. Our free demo copy of Photorescue will allow you to determine (at no cost to you) if there are any photographs still on your flashcard. If you don't feel comfortable with running the demo software we'll be happy to analyze your Flashcard at no charge to you other than the cost of return postage. Please print this form and include it with your flashcard.
I accidentally formatted my card and now I can't see any of my photographs. Is there any chance my photographs are recoverable?
- Yes! The odds are pretty good that some or most of your photographs are still recoverable. Download a free copy of Photorescue and run the software on your card. If your photographs are recoverable, you will see thumbnail images of your photographs at the conclusion of Photorescue's analysis. Best results are obtained if you have your card plugged into a card reader for the analysis instead of having your card plugged into your camera.
How could
my flashcard have become damaged?
There are several ways that your digital camera memory card can become corrupted or inaccessible. The following paragraphs explain the most common ways your memory card can become damaged or corrupted.
The most common is created by ejecting the flashcard from the camera before the camera has finished writing to the card. When this occurs, the files that tell your camera or computer where the individual image files are located become damaged. This results in the error code you receive when you attempt to use the card and your photographs become inaccessible.
The second most common form of damage occurs when you use a flashcard reader, connected to your computer, to conduct read and write operations to the flashcard. The software in your computer handles these operations slightly differently than the software in your camera. The end result is that the file that tells your camera where all the images are located becomes damaged and you get the "card is not formatted" error message. Never use a program like ACDC, Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, etc. to open files directly from your flashcard reader. Some programs will write to the flashcard in the process and this will immediately damage your card. We recommend you use your flashcard reader only to "copy" files from your flashcard to your computer. Windows Explorer handles this very well and to our knowledge has never corrupted a card. Do not use Windows Explorer to transfer files the flash card. Any operation that "writes" to the card, can corrupt the card. The only time a "write" operation should occur to your memory card is when it is in your camera.
Do not use your computer to "format" your card. Computers (especially those with larger hard drives) use a differnt FAT system than your camera uses. Formatting your memory card with your computer can damage your card or can make part of the memory unavailable for storing photographs. Always format your memory in your camera using the camera's built in software.
Static electricity can also damage your camera flashcard. During the winter season, static electricity charges can build up very easily when humidity levels are low and can damage your Flashcard when you pick it up to place it in a flashcard reader or into your camera.
Another way your card can become damaged is if you camera runs out of batter power while it is reading from or writing to your flashcard. As the power fails, the electrical current will randomly place zeros and ones into your flash memory card. This usually results in a "card not found" or "card not formatted" error.
Using your card in more than one camera can eventually create a problem. You should only use the card in one camera. If you decide to use the memory card in a different camera, you should transfer all the photographs to you computer, then format the card in the camera you will be using the card in. Not doing this can result in random failure of your card. The photographs will become inaccessable but may still be recoverable using Photorescue.
There are also physical forms of damage that can make your card inaccessible. Your flashcard contains many, many internal electronic elements and connections that are smaller than a human hair. These electronic elements can fail totally at random or due to external stresses like flexing of the card, camera batteries that are low, moisture (in wet climates), and poor manufacturing. When a card develops internal physical damage it will take one of two forms: a short circuit (most common) or an open circuit. In the case of an open circuit, your images will not be recoverable by any electronic means. There is no electrical path to allow your images to be located and copied to your computer. In the event of a "short circuit" your card may be totally inaccessible or partially inaccessible. It depends on where the short circuit occurs.
How can I
improve the odds that I will be able to recover
my photographs?
Photorescue is designed to access a flashcard reader connected to your computer. It is possible to use your camera as the interface but this significantly reduces the probability that you will successfully recover your photographs. The software in your camera may block Photorescue from accessing your flashcard or may make it more difficult to have a successful and full recovery. For best results attempt your recovery with your flashcard in a card reader connected to your computer.
You will get best results on a computer that has Windows XP, ME, or 2000 installed on it. Windows 98 and Windows 95 computers will not be able to take maximum advantage of Photorescue's advanced features.
If I send
you my flashcard and you aren't able to recover
my photographs, how much do I have to pay?
We don't charge to
analyze your flashcard to determine if your
photographs are recoverable. If we aren't able to
recover your images, the only amount we ask you
to pay is $5 for return postage to send your
memory card back to you. We use USPS Priority
Mail with Delivery Confirmation to assure you
receive your card.
I'd rather
send you my flashcard than attempt the recovery
myself. What should I do?
We are pleased to
be able to attempt the recovery for you. Just print this form and include it with your
flashcard. We recommend that you mail your
flashcard in a rigid case to protect it from
physical damage while in transit and place it in
a padded mailing envelope. Your local post office
can provide you with the padded mailing envelope.
It is called a "Ready Post".
If you have any
questions we haven't answered, please feel free
to give us a call at: 858.274.0665
Oscar Medina
Photorescue.us
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