pics disappeared

[Sibil]

Not sure if this is the right place for this Q.

I highlighted a few dozen pics (JPEG & RAW) in one folder, right clicked and said copy, moved the cursor on another folder, right clicked and said paste. The pics disappeared from the original folder and didn't paste into the second folder. I have done this 100s of times without any problems.

What could've happened and can I recover the missing pics? I have done file name search (using windows explorer) all over the hard drive, including the recycle bin, and can't find any of the pics.

Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks

[sapearl]

Hi Sibil...... wow, mystery of the day...hmmm. Short answer is that I don't know.

But - is it possible that somehow the images got dropped into a subdirectory out of site? Now I realize you did a file search with no results, but i's just a hunch. Did you do a wildcard search for general filename, or specific hunt? - Stu

[Sibil]

Originally Posted by sapearl

Hi Sibil...... wow, mystery of the day...hmmm. Short answer is that I don't know.

But - is it possible that somehow the images got dropped into a subdirectory out of site? Now I realize you did a file search with no results, but i's just a hunch. Did you do a wildcard search for general filename, or specific hunt? - Stu

Hi Stu;

The PC is not connected to Internet. The pics were from two soccer games. I downloaded all of them into one folder, created a second folder for the second game, copied all the pics from the second game and tried to paste them into the second folder. Just following the sequential file numbers, I tried searching for specific file names and not a wildcard search. For example, IMG_1234

Any more help, anyone?

[René Damkot]

When copying, the images should not disappear from the first folder... So that's strange in itself.
What happens if you search for *.cr2?

Got the images still on your CF cards?

[Sibil]

Originally Posted by René Damkot

When copying, the images should not disappear from the first folder... So that's strange in itself.

I should’ve said cut and then paste, and not copy. My mistake and sorry for creating the confusion.

Originally Posted by René Damkot

What happens if you search for *.cr2?

On this tip, I searched (with Windows Explorer) using the full file name, for example, IMG_123.JPG, or, IMG_123.CR2, and what do you know, the images do show up in the right folder, and by double clicking the image, the JPEGs open in Windows Picture and Fax Viewer (my default viewer). Yet, when I go to the folder, the images are not there, and when I check the folder Properties, it indicates zero files.

In Photoshop 7, or, DPP, the folder also shows to be empty. Something strange is going on. Really puzzling.

[ChasP505]

Originally Posted by Sibil

and what do you know, the images do show up in the right folder

You may be seeing file caches, not actual files. Do you have your computer set to view hidden and system files? How about selecting the photos from this view, Copy and paste to another directory? (Copy this time, not Cut!)

[René Damkot]

You're not filtering the view, are you? (Just double checking, I'm on a Mac, so have no idea about Windows )

[Sibil]

Originally Posted by ChasP505

You may be seeing file caches, not actual files. Do you have your computer set to view hidden and system files? How about selecting the photos from this view, Copy and paste to another directory? (Copy this time, not Cut!)

It maybe caches, but I was really glad to see them. I had to leave for work shortly after this discovery, and didn't have time to investigate further. I'll certainly copy and paste the files (into another folder) once I get home tonight. I don't remember if I have the 'view hidden and system files' set up on this computer.

Thanks for your reply

[Sibil]

Originally Posted by René Damkot

You're not filtering the view, are you? (Just double checking, I'm on a Mac, so have no idea about Windows )

Another thing to check when I get home.

Thanks for tip and the link.

[tonylong]

Sibil,

Try doing that search that showed the pictures again. First, make sure you can identify the exact path those shots are in, because it can be pretty easy to unintentionally put a file(s) in the "wrong" or rather unexpected place.

Then, right-click on a jpeg image and select Open With... and select your preferred editing program. Assuming this works (you don't have some type of file corruption) you could verify what your editor is "seeing" by using the File/Open command and browsing to the directory you identified.

I'd imagine that your basic problem is just misidentifying exactly where your photos landed and so you don't know where to look, but it certainly could be something much more mysterious!

[Sibil]

Originally Posted by tonylong

Sibil,I'd imagine that your basic problem is just misidentifying exactly where your photos landed ......

You were right. After more searching and paying attention to the paths, I realized there were two identical copies if the exact folder created in two different locations. One was empty and the other contained the pics. I have no idea how the folder was double created since I made it only once. Nevertheless, I was happy to find my pics.

Thanks to everybody for taking time to give me tips and help.

Note to self: Increase caffeine dosage before working on images.

[ChasP505]

Originally Posted by Sibil

Note to self: Increase caffeine dosage before working on images.

Great news! Maybe DECREASE the caffeine... As someone with a neurological condition, I know how easy it is to double key or hit the wrong key with shaky hands.