Working with digital images

[Jess]

I have an olympus e-500 using a compact flash or xd picture card.  When I download images from the camera, I will randomly get images that  are 'reorganizing' themselves.  For example, half of the image will be correct on the bottom, the other half will be 1/2 inch off from the rest of the image.  I can usually re-upload the bad images, however the number of images that download poorly is increasing drastically, and it just seems ridiculous to keep doing that.  what is going on???

[bdery]

Hi,

if I understand your roblem correctly, you are saying that images downloaded from your xD card to your computer seem damaged, broken in part.

Sadly, it seems that every memory card can do this, and xD cards are more prone to it than other types. A card which does this is called a corrupted card. To avoid this problem, make sure to format the card often, and consider getting a new card in this particular case, to avoid loosing important images.

If the card is still under warranty, send it for an exchange.

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Jess and welcome,

I concur with bdrey. I just want to point out that formatting is different than erasing. I take a lot of photos and format my card at least once a month.

The prices of memory cards have dropped considerable the past few years so do consider getting a new one if you current card is not on warranty.

If you get a new card, format it in the camera before using the first time.

Related information ~ Formatting and erasing memory cards:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/accessories/memory-cards/erasing.php

[Jess]

well, thanks for the replies, but i am fairly certain that is not it for 2 reasons:
1. its a brand, spanking new card
2. it does the same with the compact flash
3. i can get the images off of the card looking right eventually, they are on the card right, they just don't get to the computer right.

for example, i can copy over 5 images once, and image 2 will be jumbled.  i can copy over the same 5 again, and images 1 and 4 will be jumbled, but 2 will be fine.

[Jess]

hmm,, i guess that's 3 reasons...

[Mike54]

Jess, since it appears that you are downloading from the camera that the problem may be a camera / PC interface issue. I would recommend getting a card read to transfer your images. One advantage to this is that you won't be running down the camera batteries doing the transfer. Another, at least in my experience, is that the transfer will be faster.