You get home after a long, exhausting day of infiltration to find out a majority of your photos have somehow gotten corrupted on the SD card...




Breakdown of what happened:

>taking pictures all willy-nilly
>everything seems to be going fine
>get home, eject SD card and slap into computer
>start sifting through collected files, about 15 pics in when-
>BOOM, "something about missing or corrupted file" msg
>continues through the rest of my set
>only last image is visible
>put card back in camera
>get the same message when viewing file previews on camera
>take 5 test shots to see if problem persists
>only 3 of them view-able
>that action has now erased/corrupted my original last view-able image too
>images are unable to be imported into LR
>here we are

SO my question is does anyone have any experience with .nef file recovery software? Better luck with viewnx or other? Any tips or tricks as to how to get these files back?

I know this is probably at a loss... I understand the concept of flash memory, and with my given variables the likelihood of recovering anything is slim to none. Just hoping someone who's been down this road can give me any help here. Input is appreciated, I'm sure there's others in the same boat

I have tried recovering files on memory cared before. It worked to some degree. Here is what I understand. If you try to recover files from a memory card it will work if the memory space that was used for those picture hasn't been used "yet". I would look around and see if you can find a file recovery software. Best of luck.

Posted by goat >get the same message when viewing file previews on camera >take 5 test shots to see if problem persists >only 3 of them view-able >that action has now erased/corrupted my original last view-able image too >images are unable to be imported into LR >here we are SO my question is does anyone have any experience with .nef file recovery software? Better luck with viewnx or other? Any tips or tricks as to how to get these files back? I know this is probably at a loss... I understand the concept of flash memory, and with my given variables the likelihood of recovering anything is slim to none. Just hoping someone who's been down this road can give me any help here. Input is appreciated, I'm sure there's others in the same boat

You just made it more difficult by writing on a card that's having problems. Lock the card with the little tab on the side and start messing around with recovery tools you can download. Take what you can recover and set that set that card aside to give it another shot later. Buy a new card since it's only $10 or so. It's not worth having things corrupt again.

Posted by Fbixz I would look around and see if you can find a file recovery software. Best of luck.

In the process now. Which software have you had success with?

Posted by Deuterium You just made it more difficult by writing on a card that's having problems. Lock the card with the little tab on the side and start messing around with recovery tools you can download.

I'm aware of that, but it was necessary to see if I could replicate the issue. But thanks for the tip on locking. I'm gonna do that.

Anyways, you seem to agree with my theory that it's a physical issue with the card. In all likelihood it is, and will need replacing, but lets say I do and the problem reoccurs on, hypothetically, PIC_1013.nef. Would it be a fair assumption that there's a defect with the camera writing data to the card?

Sorry to hear! I've had some success in recovering lost/accidentally deleted images with a software called Zero Assumption Recovery. There's a free version as well for pictures. I think I was so impressed last time though (after trying a bunch of other software) that I ended up shooting them a PayPal donation.

Linked here

Posted by goat >taking pictures all willy-nilly

There's your problem.

Now you're just another statistic.

Another victim of the willy-nillies.

Kids these days, think they're invincible. Engaging in willy-nillies, not thinking it will ever happen to them. Then BOOM. There goes their youth and vitality.

Posted by SubLunar Now you're just another statistic. Another victim of the willy-nillies.

HAH I needed that laugh for how this is going. Another one bites the dust! *in my best sing-songy voice*

Posted by dodger Sorry to hear! I've had some success in recovering lost/accidentally deleted images with a software called Zero Assumption Recovery.]

Thank you for the insite and link! I'm going to try that next after my current scans get completed depending on the results. The only problem I'm noticing with ZAR is that my camera (Nikon D7000) isn't listed on the camera capability list, nor .NEF files? I'm gonna try it out regardless if it works with my specific camera, but the fact it doesn't mention .nef support has me worried..

I don't know if you're any good with torrenting, but my roommate was able to get me a full program for free through doing that. I had lost 200+ photos when my card decided to eject mid upload one fateful day. Through the program I was able to recover everything that was lost

Posted by Trill Clinton I don't know if you're any good with torrenting, but my roommate was able to get me a full program for free through doing that. I had lost 200+ photos when my card decided to eject mid upload one fateful day. Through the program I was able to recover everything that was lost

~~Message sent~~

Use a app like Lexar Image Rescue 2 to check card for damaged sectors. It does low level formatting as well. Do not use damaged cards.
To prevent this for happening again, verify cards integrity, never use a card formatted in a different cam, always format in the cam before using.

Low level formatting can repair a corrupted or unformatable card usable again. It will destroy all data on the card. This will savage cards that Windows/cams can not format or recognize.

Flash Cards are ESD sensitive. Avoid exposing them to static electricity!!!
Damage can show up immediately or months or even years later. ESD damage is accumulative. Keep card in holders or wallets designed for when not in use them especially in air with less than 50% humidity. Ground yourself to an earth ground to dissipate a static on you before handling them to plug into a computer if there's a lot of static charge in the area.

http://www.lexar.com/support/downloads

Posted by goat In the process now. Which software have you had success with? I'm aware of that, but it was necessary to see if I could replicate the issue. But thanks for the tip on locking. I'm gonna do that. Anyways, you seem to agree with my theory that it's a physical issue with the card. In all likelihood it is, and will need replacing, but lets say I do and the problem reoccurs on, hypothetically, PIC_1013.nef. Would it be a fair assumption that there's a defect with the camera writing data to the card?

I've had cards mess up too. Same symptoms and recovery success rate has been low. It hung up, became unreadable and corrupt. I don't know enough about how the data is actually stored but I know its a nightmare when it gets corrupted. They emphasize digital data not degrading and they'd be right. It's perfect or obliterated into useless when things go south. Stick with brand name cards like Lexar and SanDisk and get them from retailers that don't get stuff from sketchy suppliers. Counterfeit batteries and memory cards are everywhere.

Check out a program called Stellar Phoenix. The free download lets you see whats recoverable but its $40 to start recovering. If you can't restore it after a few hours of effort, just go re-explore to retake the lost pics. It's not worth the effort unless they're irreplaceable and truly valuable to you.

TV shows talk about how the feds can recover all sorts of crazy things. They can in the sense you can sweep up a pile of broken car window and piece them together into the original shape like puzzle pieces but only if you had the budget of the Government.

Posted by blackhawk Use a app like Lexar Image Rescue 2 to check card for damaged sectors. It does low level formatting as well. Do not use damaged cards. To prevent this for happening again, verify cards integrity, never use a card formatted in a different cam, always format in the cam before using. Low level formatting can repair a corrupted or unformatable card usable again. It will destroy all data on the card. This will savage cards that Windows/cams can not format or recognize. Flash Cards are ESD sensitive. Avoid exposing them to static electricity!!! Damage can show up immediately or months or even years later. ESD damage is accumulative. Keep card in holders or wallets designed for when not in use them especially in air with less than 50% humidity. Ground yourself to an earth ground to dissipate a static on you before handling them to plug into a computer if there's a lot of static charge in the area. http://www.lexar.com/support/downloads

All useful information, thank you. I work with PC's for a living so I should have been familiar with the ESD damage variable, a very good reason as to how these things get corrupted.

I will try your recovery software suggestion when I have the time today. As for testing the car's integrity, I have a side laptop running Linux for that purpose. I'll see if I can post back with that data.

Posted by Deuterium I've had cards mess up too. Same symptoms and recovery success rate has been low. It hung up, became unreadable and corrupt. I don't know enough about how the data is actually stored but I know its a nightmare when it gets corrupted. They emphasize digital data not degrading and they'd be right. It's perfect or obliterated into useless when things go south. Stick with brand name cards like Lexar and SanDisk and get them from retailers that don't get stuff from sketchy suppliers. Counterfeit batteries and memory cards are everywhere. Check out a program called Stellar Phoenix. The free download lets you see whats recoverable but its $40 to start recovering. If you can't restore it after a few hours of effort, just go re-explore to retake the lost pics. It's not worth the effort unless they're irreplaceable and truly valuable to you. TV shows talk about how the feds can recover all sorts of crazy things. They can in the sense you can sweep up a pile of broken car window and piece them together into the original shape like puzzle pieces but only if you had the budget of the Government.

A nightmare indeed. I actually found this software called YoDot Photo Recovery that took about 12 long hours to scan through my files and is now asking $49.95 for me to finalize (aka get my pictures) the recovery process. Just my luck.

Too bad, cause I ain't the person whos gonna pay for that when I could just go back.. But it was over an hour walk from the car alone.. I went through several thorn bushes on the way in.. I spent half the trip hiding/sprinting from a pick-up truck that likely spotted me/was following me.. Decisions, decisions..


My card is ADATA oops...

Most times the cause of corruption is pulling the card during a write cycle or while formatting. Even if it's a formatted card with no data if you're shooting with a Canon, always let the cam format it. Never use the same card in another cam without first letting the second cam format it. This is a proven way to get a corrupt card.

Beyond that try your best to keep card and cam contacts spotless. Sweat will can damage them. A little care with flashcards and ram sticks goes a long way. CF are far more resistant to ESD than ram sticks, but minimum ESD exposure is best. Too many ESD events or one big one will punch through that couple micros of insulation and game over. Good luck.

Situations like this reminds me how safe i feel, taking photos with film. No errors and shit like that, i could blame only myself if something goes wrong. This was unnecessary.

I've had success retrieving .CR2 files from a non-readable SDHC card using GetDataBack (http://www.runtime...overy-software.htm) Same program (though earlier version) also properly retrieved a variety of files a few years ago. Big fan here. Free to try, you must purchase to implement fully.

Stellar Phoenix mangled my music files in an attempt to retrieve. File name with snippets of another song.

Posted by billmclaugh I've had success retrieving .CR2 files from a non-readable SDHC card using GetDataBack (http://www.runtime...overy-software.htm)

Hey that's the software we use at work! I haven't ran it through there yet as my coworkers seem to believe there is no resurrecting my files. I'm gonna give that a try tomorrow then. (we have the full version -or can if not already)

Memory cards have finite life. Just the same idea as you can only erase the same spot on a paper so many times before you rub a hole through it. Knock offs may work fine but fail unpredictably.

So, buy a new brand name card. Tinker with the old card to try to get the pictures but you live and learn.

always carry spare/extra cards... but... damn... good luck!

For those hell bent on using flashcards for long term storage be aware that the cell charge can degrade or leak down over time. Talking in terms of 5-10 years. They can also be destroy by lightning near misses and high density RF.
Keep them in a earth grounded box if used for this purpose. Always have at least 3 copies, preferably on different storage media.

You may find this useful. A wipe down once in a while can help manage the amount of junk you have to go through when you need to run a recovery.

http://www.uer.ca/...=1&threadid=120717

Posted by blackhawk Always have at least 3 copies, preferably on different storage media.

Get them printed in store on a photo paper and store in an album or a box. This hasn't failed me yet.