save SD card unformatted photos: Can anyone advise how to save photos on an SD card visible in my camera that will not download because the new card was not formatted? If I try to...

Sonyphil

Can anyone advise how to save photos on an SD card visible in my camera that will not download because the new card was not formatted? If I try to format it now the camera or the computer says all data will be lost. Thanks

Bmarsh Loc: Bellaire, MI

Search the net for "rescue disk" or "photo rescue". There are many such programs that might work in your case.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Sonyphil wrote:

Can anyone advise how to save photos on an SD card visible in my camera that will not download because the new card was not formatted? If I try to format it now the camera or the computer says all data will be lost. Thanks

If the card was never formatted, why do you think that there are pictures on it?

The camera needs to format the card before it can write to it right?

Does your camera possibly have an INTERNAL memory area that can be used without an SD card?

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I had a similar issue several years ago. I put the card in another camera and was able to open them that way.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

I think you are saying the images are in your camera memory - not on a card.

It MAY be possible to download them to your computer via a cable but I would not bank on it.

This facility is used normally in store when buying or demonstrating a camera, the images are not usually keepers.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Searcher wrote:

I think you are saying the images are in your camera memory - not on a card.

It MAY be possible to download them to your computer via a cable but I would not bank on it.

This facility is used normally in store when buying or demonstrating a camera, the images are not usually keepers.

FYI:

Had that occur once on my Daughters P&S camera, she had neglected to switch from internal memory to external card, so she filled up the memory in a few pictures.

I do not believe that we could transfer them with the USB cable as you said.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Dngallagher wrote:

FYI:

Had that occur once on my Daughters P&S camera, she had neglected to switch from internal memory to external card, so she filled up the memory in a few pictures.

I do not believe that we could transfer them with the USB cable as you said.

Like I said "Don't bank on it".

I bought one of my cameras used from a studio, and the seller let me borrow the studio and a model to try the camera out. The camera contained an unformatted card, and I never retrieved probably the best shots I have ever taken.

Sonyphil

Thank you all for your suggestions! I have a Sony A 55 and an A7ii, neither have internal memory. I took the problem SD card from the A7ii and put in the A 55 and it took a little time but I could see the pictures. Then putting the SD card into my computer they downloaded without a problem.
Thanks again.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Sonyphil wrote:

Can anyone advise how to save photos on an SD card visible in my camera that will not download because the new card was not formatted? If I try to format it now the camera or the computer says all data will be lost. Thanks

If you can see the pictures, then they are on the card. I've used cards without formatting them, both new and from one camera to another - just experimenting. No problem. Did you insert the SD card into the computer or use a USB cable?

EDIT: Glad you solved your problem.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Sonyphil wrote:

Can anyone advise how to save photos on an SD card visible in my camera that will not download because the new card was not formatted? If I try to format it now the camera or the computer says all data will be lost. Thanks

Have you downloaded to your computer before from an SD card used in this same camera? If you have, and this new card won't, then it could be a defective card. It is possible that the photos are on your camera's internal memory, if it has one, but if there are photos on the card, then it has been formatted by the camera. Your computer may simply not recognize the format. Have you installed on your computer whatever software should have come with the camera? You would be able to view and download using that software.

Edit: I see you got it sorted out! Good deal! :thumbup:

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

jerryc41 wrote:

If you can see the pictures, then they are on the card. I've used cards without formatting them, both new and from one camera to another - just experimenting. No problem. Did you insert the SD card into the computer or use a USB cable?

EDIT: Glad you solved your problem.

I didn't format my first card either and it stores the images. I DID, however, format the new CF card I have.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

foathog wrote:

I didn't format my first card either and it stores the images. I DID, however, format the new CF card I have.

It was probably pre formatted out of the package. I would think the camera would put up a message about needing the card formatted if it was not already.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

When I get a new card, I always format it first in the camera I'm going to use it in.
And I always format the card in camera after downloading to my PC. Never had any problems with my cards.
It's always better to be safe than sorry.

will

Sonyphil

Thank you all again for your suggestions and helping me resolve the problem. I was pretty certain when I put the card in it asked if I wanted to format and I did format. I did put the card directly into the computer, so it wasn't a card reader/cable problem.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Dngallagher wrote:

If the card was never formatted, why do you think that there are pictures on it?

The camera needs to format the card before it can write to it right?

Does your camera possibly have an INTERNAL memory area that can be used without an SD card?

It sounds like these are images from previous shoots that he didn't download. Most cameras don't have that much internal memory.

Sonyphil. If Dngallagher is right though, you should be able to download the internal memory through a usb connection. Do that before doing anything else.