URGENT - Should I or should I not?

[EOS Man]

I've got a 1GB SanDisk Ultra II CF card whose data (my important documents, pictures, many kinds of files) got corrupted 3 months ago when I unawarely plugged it into a card reader with bent pins.

That card's been sitting in the plastic case in my drawer since then in hopes that I can one day find a software that can recover the corrupted data. But recently a friend told me that I should just transfer all that corrupted data onto my PC so I would be able to use the card again for shooting.

I'm thinking now, maybe he's right. It's corrupted, not lost data. And it looks like pretty severe corrupted data in some areas (where folders are inaccessible).

So should I do that or just leave the data in the card as it is? And will the chance of recovering the files be better if I left it as is in the card?

[John_Reed]

I've got a 1GB SanDisk Ultra II CF card whose data (my important documents, pictures, many kinds of files) got corrupted 3 months ago when I unawarely plugged it into a card reader with bent pins.

That card's been sitting in the plastic case in my drawer since then in hopes that I can one day find a software that can recover the corrupted data. But recently a friend told me that I should just transfer all that corrupted data onto my PC so I would be able to use the card again for shooting.

I'm thinking now, maybe he's right. It's corrupted, not lost data. And it looks like pretty severe corrupted data in some areas (where folders are inaccessible).

So should I do that or just leave the data in the card as it is? And will the chance of recovering the files be better if I left it as is in the card?
That is, no matter what you decide to do with the data, it'll have to involve some interaction between your computer and the card? If you can get what's on the card into your computer, it seems much more likely that you'll be able to recover what's useable from there, rather than having to deal with a card whose basic file structure itself is likely to be corrupted. But like I say, maybe I'm missing something?:confused:

[EOS Man]

So I should transfer the corrupted files to my PC which frees up the CF card and also improves chances (even if not guaranteed) of descrambling the corrupted data? I need more input before I really do it:confused: Thanks

[Norm in Fujino]

If it were mine, I'd get a new card reader and pop it in there, then use the file recovery software provided with the Sandisk card and see if I could access the card reader. If that software doesn't work, many others are available on the web.

[EOS Man]

I have several card readers and tried to descramble the corrupted data but couldn't. Anyway, I tried to copy the data into my PC but couldn't. Ah well, nothing lasts forever anyway, same like files that are corrupted and I didn't back them up. So I just popped the card into my camera and formatted it.

I feel a lot better now, whatever that's past has gone. So on with shooting, now with an extra 1 GB at hand ;)

[John_Reed]

I have several card readers and tried to descramble the corrupted data but couldn't. Anyway, I tried to copy the data into my PC but couldn't. Ah well, nothing lasts forever anyway, same like files that are corrupted and I didn't back them up. So I just popped the card into my camera and formatted it.

I feel a lot better now, whatever that's past has gone. So on with shooting, now with an extra 1 GB at hand ;)My own practice is to re-format the card in the camera after each download. I want to be sure that the card's "pointer table" is stored in clean media, and pointing only to clean media for new image storage.

[DonSchap]

Personally, I have never been a fan of leaving images on the CF or SD. There are just too many things that can happen on the way to a shoot.

The card gets lost
The card is pilfered by someone
The card suffers damage at one point or another, during extraction or insertion. (This kind of thing can happen at anytime, so preparing for a minimal loss is your best protection)
The entire camera gets lost ... card with it! ( :eek: OMG! "Where's the nitro ... I'm havin' a grabber!")
The card or camera gets wet or soaked for one reason or another.
The "accidental" format. (Yes, it can happen ... and not always by YOU!)

Anyway, I suggest reducing your exposure to a large quanity of data being irrevocably destroyed. Sure, you can keep the images on the camera if you want, but continous backup is almost required for a good night's sleep and keeping those prized images safe.

If you are involved in IT,

19700

"Search your feelings ... you know this to be true."