Problems with CompactFlash - HELP

[stuartf287]

Yesterday my wife and I took the new 10D out to a scenic vista in our home city of Birmingham, Alabama, and took about 100 shots on a 256M card. When I got home I decided to try to use an older cardreader that I bought for use with my first digital camera, a Kodak 260, several years ago. The cardreader is Lexar and connects through the parallel port (it predated USB). Not only would the reader not recognize the card when I inserted it into the Lexar reader, but now none of my cameras that take CompactFlash will recognize the card. The EOS 10D flashes "Error 02" when I turn it on with this card inserted. What can I do? Even if my 100 pictures are lost forever, I really need to reformat the card so that it works in the EOS 10D. My other 128M card still works, but I really need the 256M card to function again. Has anyone else ever dealt with this problem before? Is there hope for recovery?

[kcpopps]

I had this happen once with one of my 256 mb cards. If I recall correctly, I also go a "error 2". My camera and card readers would NOT recognize the card, just like you are describing.

I checked out several programs for data recovery. I think the one I used was Photo Rescue (http://www.datarescue.com/photorescue/). (I still have that one on my PC so it must be the one I used)

It saved the photo files and restored my card so that I could use it again. Never had a problem with that card again after that.

[stuartf287]

Thanks so much. I already have ordered a copy of the Photo Rescue software. Very kind of you to include the website. This certainly is a thoughtful and caring group of Canon users.

[lluscombe]

I had a similar problem today with a new 1GB 30x card. My laptop was able to recognize the card, I then copied the whole folder onto it. I then did full format in Win ME, which seems to have done the trick for the card.

I guess the lesson may be to format the card on a PC before using it in a camera. You might also look for more up-tp date drivers for your card reader on the Lexar site.

Hope that helps.

[robertwgross]

lluscombe wrote:

I guess the lesson may be to format the card on a PC before using it in a camera. You might also look for more up-tp date drivers for your card reader on the Lexar site.



If that is what it takes, then so be it. However, that is exactly opposite of what normally works best. Normally, you want to do all card formatting in the camera before the computer ever sees it.

---Bob Gross---

[stuartf287]

Since my last post I learned from Lexar's 24-hr support service that the reader I was using has been discontinued and does not support Windows XP. I installed the old reader on an older PC running Windows 95 and got it to work, but the CF cards already were blown and could not be read.

I made some progress working on the PC using Norton Utilities (of all things) and at least got the card to where the camera would accept it for new images. However, every 3rd or 4th shot gave me the message "CF error" or "Data Corrupt."

I couldn't wait for Photo Rescue so I went back and exchanged the card for a new one. Had no trouble with the exchange, so now all I have lost are the pictures I took yesterday. Could have been worse.

Also picked up a new USB card reader at Wolf on the way home. It's pretty impressive that Lexar has on-line live support available on Sundays.

Thanks to all for the advice and support. Once again I have to say this is a great group.