When I try to view my photographs I get a "card not formatted" error message. Is there any hope of getting my photos back?

• Yes. In all likelyhood your photographs are still recoverable.

I accidentally formatted my compact flash card and now I can't see any of my photographs. Is there any chance my photographs are recoverable?

• Most of your photographs may still be recoverable though when a format is performed a few many be damaged to a point of being unrecoverable. Most digital cameras do not permanently erase the photographs on your compact flash card when you perform a "format". The photographs are still on the compact flash, they just aren't viewable. Unfortunately, some newer digital cameras have started writing "zeros" to every memory location when performing a "format". If your camera is one of these, your photos will not be recoverable.

How could my comapct flash have become inaccessible?

• There are several ways that your compact flash card can become inaccessible.
  
  
• The most common problem is created by ejecting the compact flash card from the camera before the camera has finished writing to it. Ejecting the compact flash card too soon, corrupts the file that tells your camera or computer where the photographs are located on the memory card.
  
  
• The second most common form of damage occurs when you use a flashcard reader, connected to your computer, to conduct read and write operations to your compact flash card. The software in your computer handles these operations differently than the software in your camera. The end result is that the file that tells your camera where all the images are located becomes damaged and you get the "drive not formatted" error message. Never use a program like ACDC, Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, etc. to open files directly from your flashcard reader and then save the file back to your card. Some programs will write to the microdrive in the process of opening a file and this will immediately damage the files on your card. I recommend you use your flashcard reader only to "copy" files from your microdrive to your computer. Windows Explorer handles this very well and to my knowledge has never corrupted a microdrive. Do not use Windows Explorer to transfer files to the flash card. Any operation that "writes" to the card, can corrupt the card. The only time a "write" operation should occur to your compact flash card is when your camera is storing a picture.
  
  
• Do not use your computer to "format" your compact flash card. Computers use a differnt file allocation table (FAT) format than digital cameras. Formatting your compact flash card with your computer can make part of the memory unavailable for storing photographs and can cause read / write errors when using the card in your camera. Always format your compact flash card in your camera, using the camera's built in software.
  
  
• Static electricity can also damage your compact flash card. During the winter season, static electricity can build up quickly when humidity levels are low. Static discharge, as you insert or remove the compact flash card from your camera, can damage your files and destroy the card.
  
  
• Another way your compact flash card can become damaged is if you camera runs out of battery power while it is turned on. This usually results in a "drive not found" or "drive not formatted" error.
  
  
• Using your compact flash card in more than one camera can eventually create a problem. You should only use the card in one camera.  If you decide to use the card in a different camera, you should transfer all the photographs to you computer, then format the card in the camera you will be using it in. Not doing this can result in random failure of your compact flash card.
  
  
• There are also physical forms of damage that can make your card inaccessible. Your compact flash card contains many, many internal electronic elements and connections that are thinner than a human hair. These electronic elements can fail at random or due to external stresses like flexing or crushing the card, camera batteries that are low, moisture (in wet climates), and poor manufacturing. When a card develops internal physical damage it will take one of two forms: a short circuit (most common) or an open circuit. In the case of an open circuit, your images will not be recoverable by any electronic means. There is no electrical path to allow your images to be located and copied to your computer. In the event of a "short circuit" your card may be totally inaccessible or partially inaccessible. It depends on where the short circuit occurs. An indication that your card has a "short circuit" is that the case becomes rather warm or hot to the touch when you plug it into a card reader.
  
  Warning: A card with a short circuit can damage your camera. Do not place a card that gets hot into your camera.

If I send you my compact flash card and you aren't able to recover my photographs, how much do I have to pay?

• There is no charge to analyze your compact flash card to determine if your photographs are recoverable. If I am unable to recover your photographs, the only amount I ask you to pay is $6 for return postage and handling to send your compact flash card back to you. If you'd like to avoid this charge, please provide me with a pre-addressed pre-stamped return envelope.

I'd rather send you my compact flash card than attempt the recovery myself. What should I do?

• Please click on this "print form" link and include it with your flash memory card.

If you still have any quesitons, feel free to give me a call at 858.274.0665 between the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.