recovery of data on an SD card: I have an SD card that refuses to give up my photos! I didn't re-format it before using it. Now my computer refuses to upload the pix. I've tried (a)...

mamasu

I have an SD card that refuses to give up my photos! I didn't re-format it before using it. Now my computer refuses to upload the pix. I've tried (a) using a card reader, (b)sticking the card directly into the computer & (c) putting it back in the camera and connecting via USB cord. In each case, my computer says that there may be something wrong with the card and it can't upload the pix. I know there are pix, because I can see them on the camera view screen. Any other suggestions?

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Do you have any other storage devices you could connect the card or camera to, like a tablet or even phone? Or try the card on another computer? Get the images off and then discard the card, in any event. Last resort, take it to a photo shop or your local Staples / Office Depot, and they should be able to remove them and put them on a flash drive.

Andy

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

mamasu wrote:

I have an SD card that refuses to give up my photos! I didn't re-format it before using it. Now my computer refuses to upload the pix. I've tried (a) using a card reader, (b)sticking the card directly into the computer & (c) putting it back in the camera and connecting via USB cord. In each case, my computer says that there may be something wrong with the card and it can't upload the pix. I know there are pix, because I can see them on the camera view screen. Any other suggestions?

Download pictures directly from camera via a USB cord. Welcome to the forum.

alolewis

You might try recovery software, always sees to work for me. I have used Recuva in the past but there are many others. https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

mamasu wrote:

I have an SD card that refuses to give up my photos! I didn't re-format it before using it. Now my computer refuses to upload the pix. I've tried (a) using a card reader, (b)sticking the card directly into the computer & (c) putting it back in the camera and connecting via USB cord. In each case, my computer says that there may be something wrong with the card and it can't upload the pix. I know there are pix, because I can see them on the camera view screen. Any other suggestions?

That's my nightmare. As a permanent solution, I would suggest buying a camera with two SD slots, and have images saved to both. The new Z bodies do not have dual slots.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&ei=mt2DW82IKuKZ_Qa3pKiYAQ&q=nikon+cameras+with+dual+card+slots&oq=cameras+with+two+sd+slots&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i71k1l8.0.0.0.29661.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c..64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.6z2gKp6kFIs

Some things to try -

Recover files -
https://fossbytes.com/top-best-free-data-recovery-software-2016/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-scan-reformatted-hard-drive-to-recover-files/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/136677/article.html
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17119/windows-7-recover-lost-deleted-files
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2147668/how-to-recover-deleted-files.html
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/software/how-recover-deleted-files-free-3365461/

Recovery software -
https://fossbytes.com/top-best-free-data-recovery-software-2016/
Recuva - The site wouldn't allow me to post a link to this.
http://www.z-a-recovery.com/
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec
https://www.grc.com/sr/spinrite.htm

ggenova64

Try putting the card in another camera and downloading it.

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

If your camera has Wifi try using that to download the pictures.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

PixelStan77 wrote:

Download pictures directly from camera via a USB cord. Welcome to the forum.

He said in his original post that this did not work.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

jerryc41 wrote:

That's my nightmare. As a permanent solution, I would suggest buying a camera with two SD slots, and have images saved to both. The new Z bodies do not have dual slots.
...cut out...

And this is going to bite Nikon big time IMHO. Serious shooters will avoid this problem.

mamasu

Thanks SO much - very helpful.

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

When I got my current camera I neglected to format the cards for the new camera. I took some beautiful photos, maybe the best I have ever taken, and was unable to download to my computer. They looked good on the camera but would now show up on my computer. Since I didn’t really care about the test photos I took I formatted the card and started over. Everything is fine no. A lesson learned without any heartache.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

mamasu wrote:

Thanks SO much - very helpful.

To whom are you responding? If you use the “quote reply” button, we’ll all know who gave you the helpful information.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

With the card in your camera, can you display the pictures on the camera's screen? If not, chances are that nothing can be recovered. If so, the wi-fi option mentioned above may be your best bet.

gordone Loc: Red Deer AB Canada

My guess is the card is not a Sandisk Extreme Pro. If it was you wouldn't be having these problems