Digital camera accessories

[cjhebert]

Hi,
How do I tell if my memory card is bad?  I just got back from a lovely vacation in Jamaica.  I can view my pictures that are on my memory card while it is in my camera; however, they will not transfer to my computer nor can I view them on my digital photo frame.  I was able to the other day, but cannot now.

Help!!

[bdery]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

First, what type of card do you use, which camera brand/model, etc?

Do you use the camera itself or a card reader to transfer the pictures to your computer? If not, you might consider using one.

If you can see the pictures on the camera, the card is probably not corrupted (it might be, but I doubt it). One thing that could be done if the computer detects the card but cannot see the pictures is to use a file recovery software. Many are available free, of at least free to try. That could be a way to salvage your files if there is really no way to access the files.

A last thing, for future reference : take the habit of formatting your memory card often after you transfer your files to another storage system. It will reduce the risks of corrupting the data.

[ShutterbugGail]

take the habit of formatting your memory card often after you transfer your files to another storage system.

bdrey is correct about this. I usually advise that the memory card be formatted in the camera because it adds back files on the card that are needed by the camera.

There are a number of free photo recovery tools available, such as the one listed below. However, unlike paid programs, the may only recover jpeg files and not others, such a video.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/processing-photos/photo-recovery/

Art Plus Digital Photo Recovery tool

http://www.artplus.hr/adapps/eng/dpr.htm


Related reading ~ Causes of memory card corruption:

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

[rhinorick]

One other quick way of getting your photos from camera to computer - until you can get a card reader, recovery software, etc. as mentioned above - would be to connect your camera via USB cable directly to your computer.  You may have gotten a USB cable with your camera.

If the camera can read the card, then it might let you copy from camera to computer with the cable.

Just a thought.