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Question

How do I see recovered jpegs from SDHC with lost format?

Dec 22, 2013 5:09AM PST

My SDHC card lost its formatting when I was trying to download photos from a trip to Thailand (so very valuable to me). I tried several photo recovery programs and they did not work because my computer would not see the card due to lost formatting. An error message said must format card first - which of course I did not do.

I next tried two format recovery programs, ICare Format Recovery and Mini Tool Power Data Recovery, and they were able to find some jpegs on the corrupted card. But none of the viewing programs I try will open the jpegs! I tried Windows photo viewer, Picasa, Paint.net, nothing sees them! What should I try next - a different recovery program, or something to make the jpegs readable (what?)? Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Well the card must be "seen"
Dec 23, 2013 7:04AM PST
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Thanks but which post in that link are you recommending?
Dec 23, 2013 9:23AM PST

This is a 16 GB card and it does not show up on XP or Windows 7 machines. But as I may have mentioned, ICare did locate some jpeg files on it that I can save to the computer, it's just that none of my viewers will open them.

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All of them.
Dec 23, 2013 9:27AM PST

A person new to data recovery might ask "which one?" and the answer is the one that works.

OK, even if the files are recovered the sad truth is they could be corrupt. Long reasons why but I can't fit all that here. At least it's seen enough to get something out. I know it is asking a lot of folk to check device manager.

If you are that new to PCs I suggest you stop trying and see if http://www.drivesavers.com will work on it
Bob

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device manager
Dec 28, 2013 1:17AM PST

Device manager sees the card reader in the drive but gives an error message when you click on the drive that "You need to format the disk before you can use it."

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Which is good news.
Dec 28, 2013 1:48AM PST

It means the card is there, enough to try the free, free to try tools. However if they are important, stop and get in touch with drivesavers.

Bob