Memory Card of Death...

Detroit_Waves

Detroit_Waves

Detroit_Waves

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Joined
18 May 2009
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572
Location
Expat in LA
Hey guys,

Hoping you can help, or shed some light. I got a fairly new digital camera not too long back, and was using it for a few projects. I was just using the SD memory card that came with it (Maxell 4GB jobby). I could take pictures, view them, all was dandy. I needed to upload them to my pc, so I took the memory card out, and plugged it into my card reader. At which point it told me I needed to format the card. I had a panic and obviously hit cancel as I couldnt format it, as I desperately need the pictures. So I put it back in the camera, to which it told me it couldnt read it. ARGH! So now I have a memory card from which I desperately need the pictures off of, but my digital camera wont read it, and everytime I plug it into my card reader, and try and open that drive...I just get the vista spinning circle, and nothing else happens, or open.

Is there anyway I can get these pictures? Any ideas?

Thanks!
 
You may be able to use a program such as recuva on the card in your PC, even after a quick format (less success with full format!). However, it looks as though the machine has messed up the card somehow, so it may not work anyway.

What PC/card reader is it? If you have another I'd recommend trying that with a recovery program. Failing that, if your camera can connect via USB and access the card on a PC, you could also try that too.

Did you write protect the card before inserting into the PC? I recommend it until you have the photos off.
 
The card reader is just one thats built into my desktop in my office. Its the only card reader I have unfortunately. Ill give Recuva a quick bash see if it does anything.

I dont think I write protected it before hand. Do you mean the slider on the side of the memory card? If so, how do I tell which way is write protect, and which isnt?
 
I do mean the slider, yes. Usually there's an arrow saying lock, I believe from the front of the card, downwards is the lock position. However, it seems as though yours wasn't locked, so logically, moving it to the alternate position should do this.
 
Just gave recuva a quick blast, but as soon as I press scan, I get the window that pops up to tell me its scanning, but it just sits at 0% and no file scanned, I cant even cancel, until I pull the memory card out...however...it hasnt hit the 'not responding stage'
 
You could try connecting using the camera and doing a QUICK format of the card through windows. However, proceed with caution as it technically blanks the entire card. Recuva can usually get files that have been deleted, but it's by no means guaranteed. It seems like the data is lost otherwise, but I recommend this course of action very hesitantly. Only proceed if you're entirely happy, I can't take any responsibility if the data is permanently lost.

If anyone else has some fresh ideas they'd be appreciated.
 
memyselfandi said:
If the card is 4GB then it's likely to be SDHC instead of just SD; does your reader support that format?
Click to expand...

Looking at the card, it is definitely a SDHC! However, I have no idea if my built in card reader supports that, or how I could even find out?

Ive tried connecting the card to another pc via the camera after initially putting int into my card reader, and that doesnt work...so maybe I have buggered the card in the first place. Do you think maybe a SDHC compatable reader would be able to get at it?
 
Sounds like it would. Some SD card readers can read SD up to 2GB but struggle with SDHC if they're fairly old. Chances are yours doesn't support it. My advice above remains the same though.
 
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