Working with digital images

[tish]

Hi,

I transfered some photos from my camera to my pc but these photos had the same file name as some other ones that I had saved before.  Now the thumbnails in my pictures folder show the older pictures but once I click on the files the new ones open up.  Is there any way to recover the pictures that still appear on my thumbnails? Thank You.

[bdery]

Hi and welcome!

First, which operating system are you using, and do you view your thumbnails directly inside a folder or are you using some software?

Second, do you mean that you lost your older files, or simply that the thumbnails have not updated?

Just a note of advice, to avoid this happening in the future, and especially to avoid loosing files when copying new files, there are two things you can do:

1-copy your new files in new folders, labeled by date. This helps organizing your files, and finding an image more easily.

2-most camera shave an option to keep incrementing the files numbering even when you format, change memory cards, etc. Usually you activate this in a setup Menu. It could be a good idea to use this feature, again to avoid loosing files.

[tish]

Hi, Thank you

I have windows XP and I look at my thumbnails under "My pictures" folder in "My Documents."  I use the CAMEDIA software that came with my camera to insert my pics into my PC, the new pictures are saved in folders but one of the folders had files with the same name so I think it modified the older files. The CAMEDIA program didn't notify me if I had files of the same name so I didn't notice anything wrong until I went under "My Pictures" clicked on the older pics and saw the new ones popping up.  I can still see the older pictures in the thumbnails and those are the ones I'm wondering if I can recover.  I refresed one of the thumbnails to see what would happen and the new pic appeared on the thumbnail.  Also, I usually save my pics in a folder of the year they were taken and within that folder other folders of topics and dates.    

The first problem that led the above problem is that my batteries seem to die very fast with my Olympus Camedia D-560 Zoom camera.  Every time I take the batteries out I have to set the date and time in my camera.  Sometimes I forget because I'm trying to take the picture before the moment passes and so that is when files seems to have the same names.  When I first got the camera I used regular alkaline batteries but they went out too fast so I started using rechargeble batteries but even if I use the rechargeables right after I charge them they die after a few pics are taken.  This last time I bought oxyride batteries and they are still working and I have already taken 43 pictures.   Why are the rechargeables not working as well?  I'm thinking of getting a new camera any suggestions?
Thank You

[ShutterbugGail]

My guess is if you've overwritten image files on your computer that there is no way to retrieve them. It's strange that you received no warning.

However, you may want to try a photo recovery program and try to get some of them back off your memory card.

I believe most cameras have an internal battery that saves camera settings and works independent of any batteries that are inserted into the camera. It sounds as if it is no longer working.

Have you tried reconditioning your batteries? Doing so may revive them to hold their charge, unless they are just plain warn out and need replacement.

You seem to be having a lot of problems with your camera, so it may be time to get a new one. Why risk losing precious photos because the camera is not working correctly?!

But call Olympus first to discuss possible repair. Prices of digital cameras have come down a lot, so depending on the cost, repair my not be worthwhile for an older camera. If you decide to call them, also tell them what happened to your images. They may have a solution.

Related reading:

Photo recovery

www.digicamhelp.com/processing-photos/photo-recovery/index.php


Conditioning batteries

http://www.digicamhelp.com/accessories/batteries-chargers/rechargeable-batteries.php

[pentachris]

So, I realize I'm a little late to the party, but I thought I'd throw this in...

As has been stated before, you'll probably need a data recovery program to try to get the old photos back.

Making the thumbnails match up with the new photos might be a little easier, though.

In Windows Explorer, browse to a directory with pictures and, using the View menu, change the view from "thumbnails" to something else - "list" will be fine.  Then go to the Tools menu and select Folder Options and select the View tab.  Find the option that says "Show Hidden Files and Folders" and select it.

Now, you should see a file in your picture directory called thumbs.db.  Delete it.  You'll have to click OK on a warning box about it being a system file.  Trust me, this will not cause any program to not operate properly.

Now, go back to the View menu and select Thumbnails.  The thumbs.db file should be regenerated with the correct picture info, and the thumbnails should be accurate.