"Format Error" (Sony DSC-H2)

[InquisitorJax]

I get a "format error" with my memory stick for my Sony DSC-H2.
I guess that if I format the memory stick, it will be fine again (another memory stick still works fine with the camera)
The problem is that I want to gain access to the content.
Whenever I connect via USB, it doesn't connect.

I insert the memory stick into my PSP, and I can view the photos, but
when I connect PSP to PC via USB, I cannot access the folders.

Anyone have any ideas on how to rescue the content?

Jax

[Sintares]

Buy a card reader and see if it can access the stick and allow you to pull the photos off it.

There are also various free recovery programs at http://www.pcinspector.de/Sites/smar...htm?language=1

And of course Sony have their own free memory stick recovery program at their site.

If nothing can access the stick, then there are professional recovery people that will be happy to help if you have a large enough wallet..

Or you could (as a last resort) format the stick to get it working and then use the recovery programs above to recover the files, since formatting will delete reference to the pictures (deletes the file allocation table on the card which points to the pictures location) and reset the file system, but will not actually overwrite the pictures, so file recovery is generally possible.

Which is why incidentally you should never just do a simple "format" on an old harddrive or memory card before selling on ebay, it may look empty to you, but a quick run through with a recovery program and much of your files are accessible to anyone..

[InquisitorJax]

Thx for the advice Sintares.

It turns out that my SE V800 phone connected to the PC worked fine.
I managed to see and copy the files.

wrt removing content: I take it deleting the files and then formatting the stick will permanently remove the content? If not, what will?