SanDisk Extreme 3 CF Card Error / Problem

[us2000iceman]

Hello - i just got back from a trip and have an issue with my SanDisk Extreme III 4.0 GB card for my Rebel XTI. Can someone please help me !

I took about 300 pictures - some RAW and some JPEG. When reviewing my pictures one night it locked up (I was waiting 5 minutes) and in error I shut off the camera (bad mistake and learning experience). When i started it, i got a CF#2 error

After that only 100 of the 300 pictures can be seen on the camera display. However, my camera still reads that 300 pictures exist. Once i get past #100 i get a "data corrupted" message.

Now here's the rub - at first i thought i lost everything after picture 100. However, i took my card to Best Buy and they were able to read through a camera printer ALL 300 pictures - However, when i use my USB at home, it only will auto download the first 100.

So - the question is - how do i retrieve the remaining 200 pictures - they obviously exist. Is there a way through Windows explorer to get them or can these pictures be extracted some other way

thanks for any help !!!!

Dave

[Kiddo]

I had something like that happen to me... You might be able to recover the photos with a flash recovery program... You can download one off the net that'll tell you if your photos are still there and then you purchase it to recover them.... Or go to your local computer store and buy one! Trust me!!! It is worth money even if you only use it once!! Gonna see if I can find a few links for you!!! BRB.....

[Kiddo]

Here's one.....

http://www.datarescue.com/

[Jon]

Didn't your Extreme III come with a mini-CD with SanDisk's photo recovery program on it? Mine all have.

[us2000iceman]

Thanks guys

you both hit the nail on the head - i used the rescue mini-cd that came with the card to resolve my issue. A few notes to close the loop and to help others:

1- Sometimes the Sandisk CF cards can not be read on NON-Sandisk card readers. I bought a non brand card reader, and my computer would not recognize the card as a drive (so i could not use the rescue software) I spoke to technical support (the rescue disk guys) and they said this happens - and could only use Sandisk brand. I returned the other one, bought a Sandisk brand and it worked ! it recognized the drive and i was able to use the software

- as a sidenote, i was hoping to just use Windows Explorer to copy and paste all my photos -even the corrupt ones - the rescue disk support guy said that Canon cameras sometimes can't be used well through Windows Explorer in certain cases (they dont talk perfectly to each other)

2- Keep in mind the software will find all of the pictures previously deleted (before the last format i think) So my point - i took in excess of 800 pictures on my trip and deleted down to 200 on my camera. Well, i basically had to go back and re-review and delete all the pictures I didn't want after running the rescue CD. It is a pain but at least i have the pictures

3- In general, lessons learned for me - like the manual says - dont shut off or remove battery if you camera locks up - it may still be thinking. Also I suppose switching out cards half way through a trip is wise as a backup strategy

Thanks again for your help !

Dave