Memory card error.

I am not sure if this is the correct place for this or not but I need help. I have Vista home which came with my new computer. I put in my SD card and intended on copying my files to my external hard drive but somehow it started to create a zip file instead. I panicked and clicked on cancel because that is not what I wanted. I think I corrupted something because it now says it is a zip file but it will not open with my zip program so I don't know how to get my photos back where I can see them. Can someone please tell me what I can do to get them back? Vista is so confusing compared to my XP and I cannot access all my Christmas photos. I need simple language please. It tells me it is incomplete. Thanks.

Hi,

DO NOT copy any files to this memory card. This may well overwrite any photos that are still on there.

There is no guarantee that we can recover any of your photographs, but I will do my best. Got to this website and download the latest version of Recuva (link in top right hand corner of webpage): Download Recuva 1.35.472 - FileHippo.com

Install Recuva and then run it (if a second wizard appears after installation, it is alredy running, as it will look like another install wizard)

In this new wizard, click next on the first page, then select Pictures from the top of the second page, and click next again. On the third page, select "On my Media Cad or iPod" and click next. On the first go, I would recommend not selecting Deep Scan, but only because of time, so you may want to if you have a spare half an hour.

When it start scanning, click Cancel. DO THIS! In the top right hand corner of the new window, click "Switch to Advanced Mode" Go on to Computer (My Computer in Windows XP), and work out which drive letter your media card has been assigned. Go back to Recuva and select this from the drop down in the top left hand corner. If necessary, scan again with a Deep Scan. Then recover any files any files that are found. N.B: Most photos that have ever been on the memory card will turn up, not just the ones you want.

If you have any problems with any of these instructions, just post back and I will assist you.

Due to you cancelling the zipping up, not all your photos will be in that zip file. However, we can try and recover the photos that are in there. Download, install and run ZIP Repair from here (download link at bottom of page): Fix zip file with DiskInternals ZIP Repair Now click next on the new windows and then select a copy of your corrupt zip using the top text box, and type a new name and location in the bottom text box and click next again. See if you have been able to recover any photos into the new zip achive you created in the bottom text box. (Open it with your normal zip extractor)

Hope this helps, and good luck recovering. If you have any problems, just post back.

Richard

I have all my files back. Thanks for all your help. I also now have them backed up to a DVD and my external hard drive. I don't want to have to go through that again!!

Hi,

Really glad I was of assistance. Thanks for reporting back, it is a big thing for us when someone says "Thank you".

Richard