Tech help

[Asmodean]

We're not expecting a search in file explorer to search all drives/partitions are we?

It will look up what is indexed, unless prevented from doing so (Be it through internal insufficiences or external factors) so yes, we are indeed expecting it to - if it's got that to do.

[Tank]

I have a corrupted(?) CF memory card which is giving a cyclic redundancy error which I would like to recover. Anybody got any suggestions for suitable software that has a good chance of getting the majority of the photos off the card?
 

[hermes2015]

I have a corrupted(?) CF memory card which is giving a cyclic redundancy error which I would like to recover. Anybody got any suggestions for suitable software that has a good chance of getting the majority of the photos off the card?
 

Here is a page with some options. You'll have to try a few to see which one works for you.

https://en.softonic.com/downloads/memory-card-recovery?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=bing_uk_dsa_downloads_sb2&msclkid=b662e2f5135317f416fc85bc3d0cfe30

I have never used this kind of software, but have heard good reports on this one:

https://www.easeus.com/ppc/sd-card-recovery-bing.html?source=ad-bing-dsa&msclkid=3451e96cc43c1e749c548e25ea07d488&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=DRW-EN-Search%20partners&utm_term=sd%20card%20file%20recovery%20software&utm_content=sd%20card-file

[Tank]

Thank you

[Asmodean]

As a general note of caution, freeware of that variety is often filled with bloat/adware and whatever-else-have-you.

If you have an old laptop, just begging to be sent to the eternal datafields, install and run offline on that.

If I have the time, I can probably try to find you a trustworthy open source data extractor - they certainly are out there.

[Tank]

I haven't had a go yet so a suggestion would be much appreciated.

[Dark Lightning]

I have nothing. Sorry.

[Tank]

Thanks for responding

[Dark Lightning]

I remember many years ago transferring files from the data acquisition computer to a CD, ca 1997. I'd save a batch and then delete the source files. The data acquisition computer only held 2 Gb and filled up quickly. I deleted some files, and while it was whirring away, realized that I hadn't burned them to the CD. I stopped it, but was unable to retrieve some files, as it was a Win3.5.1 system that didn't do me the courtesy of just putting a "?" in the first spot of the file name. I figured I was hosed, because it was for a defense program. My supervisor, who was ace with computers couldn't get it back, either. It turned out that contractually we only were required to supply hard copy, which we had. It would have been impossible to redo the test, as it was data collected prior to the unit going through environmental testing. No way to return it to that state, short of a new unit, which expense was out of the question. Pretty embarrassing, to say the least.

I hope you have better luck with tools that are 27 years newer!

[Asmodean]

Photorec... But it's command line based, so no intuitive user interface. Still, very WYSIWYG.

https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec

DiskDrill is (or was said to be) good, but I have not used it recently, so no idea of the package content.

https://www.cleverfiles.com/data-recovery-software.html

EaseUS looks legitimate, but they seem to have some limitations on their free recovery tool;

https://www.easeus.com/

[Tank]

Thanks I shall have a look at these

[Asmodean]

There is plenty more gold in them hills. As a general rule, I advise you to only download from a known distributor or the maker's own website, and then, have a good look at the site. If it's rife with ads and popups or "too polished with no substance," especially if there are obviously-fake or too-glowing reviews at the bottom, then keep on looking. If, on the other hand, it looks corporate, has a business phone and address somewhere and just tries to offer you a product or a service... Well, them things ought to nudge the trust-o-meter needle a little bit.

EDIT: just to highlight a website with "all the red flags," though a completely unrelated sort of business;
https: //huusk-knife .com/ (link broken on purpose, but the website is safe to view. Remove space behind https:// and before .com if inclined)

Now, compare to this product, mass-stamped from the most reasonably-priced sheets of chinesium alloy (Look especially at image number two there);
https:// www.aliexpress .com/item/1005007090950071.html (Link similarly broken because they too bullshit about the product)

[Tank]

Problem solved, almost, but not the way I expected. I never delete any pictures from my memory cards. So the pictures I had lost on the memory card were also on a 'dead' laptop. I powered up the laptop just to see if it was really dead. Low and behold it booted up and I recovered all the pictures!!!

[Asmodean]

Very nice! An person deserves some digital luck every now and again.

[The Magic Pudding..]

I haven't had a go yet so a suggestion would be much appreciated.

(Everything is now so I assume it's safe to make the obvious reply without fear of the wrath of Tank.)

I suggest if you have stuff you value keep it in 2,3,4,5 or more places depending on how much you value it and you too can be of the smugly virtuous.