Sandisk CF card - file recovery thoughts?

[trackdemon]

First time I've had an issue in years, quite a few RAW files missing from a Sandisk Extreme III 4GB CF card (some jpg's recovered using iCare) just wondering what the general thoughts are on best recovery method (or if indeed it's possible). I always format them in camera, and it worked fine.... right up until it displayed a message saying 'format card' both in camera & via the reader. Files are not absolutely critical as I was able to re-shoot some stuff, but would be great if I could recover without it costing the moon!....

[K12beano]

I've got two of Sandisks recovery software that used to come with their cards.

I was just wondering what to do with them!

[gingerpaul]

It'd be worth giving Recuva a try to see if it can find anything.

[tim-b]

I've used the Sandisk software once (comes free with the cards), and got pretty much everything back IIRC....good luck!

[trackdemon]

Yup have now tried Sandisk demo software; it can see the files and I can preview them - but seems odd to have to pay for the software to rectify a problem with their own hardware!

[K12beano]

Was trying to PM you (as PH has moved into its flakey-hamster-work-to-rule-phase) to see if you needed one of these disks, but sounds like that might not help.

I have had these sometime, I remember loading one up to see how the software works and then, just like an umbrella, have not needed it since I've had it. (Files were occasionally failing on my D70, but that was more down to the camera I think!)

Anyway, I have packs with unused serial numbers on them, so if that's what you need to "unlock" the software, et me know.

[TonyHetherington]

I had a problem last year and a very lovely person helped out, explaining what he did at the end - hopefully it might help

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[tim-b]

trackdemon said:

Yup have now tried Sandisk demo software; it can see the files and I can preview them - but seems odd to have to pay for the software to rectify a problem with their own hardware!

I don't know how much it costs, but it might be better value to buy a new card as the ones I get (Extreme CF) seem to always have a software code....if you can wait I might be able to find a spare code somewhere, no promises though as I have no idea where I put the slips they're printed on!

[eltawater]

I'm still around if you'd find it helpful for me to have a poke at the card....

[TonyHetherington]

Speak of the devil ^^^ :thumup:

[trackdemon]

Thanks for all the advice, as it happens I bit the bullet and paid for the Sandisk RescuePro subscription which recovered the missing files (and offered a load from two formats prior!). Spookily, I received an email offer to download for half price the day after posting this.... :scratchin: $19.95, and it was in my paypal anyway so using man-maths basically free

Tbf to the software it does seem to be miles better than the freeware options, none of which could see the RAWs and reported 'card needs formatting' & 'missing boot sector'. Rescuepro identified the device, interrogated for several mins and presented thumbnails of all the recovered RAWS.