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General discussion

Need Help Restoring a Viking 256 MB Flash Card

May 19, 2005 4:24PM PDT

Need Help Restoring a Viking 256 MB Flash Card in a Canon Power Shot S400 Digital Elph. Inadvertently reformatted the flash card and over-wrote 400 images.
Any way to retrieve the original images? Have not used the flash card since the reformat issue.
Any help would be welcomed.
Thanks,
Taboma/Kevin

Discussion is locked

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Take a look
May 19, 2005 9:54PM PDT

at this URL
http://www.flashfixers.com/ they have a demo version of the software. There are a number of recovery places around. I found this one by putting "Recover flash card data" (no quotes) into google.

Good luck

P

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Take a look
May 20, 2005 5:26PM PDT

Thanks, P.
Your words of wisdom are appreciated. Will check them out pronto.
I also went to google, earlier today and found LC Technologies. Seems that all is not lost from re-formatting my flash card or from deleating files according to that site.
Will post back when I have recovered my data and let you know. Still looking at options and from flashfixers.com this coming Sunday. Told my wife about your post and she is relieved also.
Thanks again. :

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Take a look
May 24, 2005 1:14PM PDT

P. Took your advise and downloaded a trial version of IR2_US LE100.SIT, comes from jolly old U.K.
Costs $39.95 for the full version after viewing the first 10 retreived images. Flash Fixers will give an option automatically to download the full version. Requires an USB Card Reader that I ordered from Amazon.com for $26 tonight. SanDisk USB 2 and no drivers needed. Works backward to USB 1.0 also
Flash Fixers recommended the card reader. A camera cannot be used to retreive data from a flash card and their software. There is a choice of PC or Mac 9.0 or X to download. Took me 6 minutes with a 56K modem. Probably would take you about a second to download.
I will post back with my experiences to retreive my data in a few days after I have the SanDisk Card Reader.
Some of the other retrieval software is for PC only recommended before.

P. Thanks,
Kevin

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Take a Look forgot to include
May 24, 2005 2:23PM PDT

the model of the SanDisk Card Reader: "Sandisk ImageMate 12-in-1 USB 2.0 Hi-speed Reader (SDDR-89-A15)"
Electronics; $25.34. Reads all kinds of cards. Check it out and see if this is really the one I need. Sounds good enough for me.
$7 shipping from Amazon.

Kevin

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SanDisk Reader
May 25, 2005 12:17AM PDT

I just saw that exact SanDisk card reader in WalMart and at Staples.

You might try those places before you order.

...
..
.

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All ready ordered
May 25, 2005 3:05PM PDT

my San Disk for $26.99 Card Reader from Amazon. $7.99 shipping in 5-7 days from the supplier.

Snapshot, Thanks for the follow up.

Interestingly enough, I received a telephone call from a rep at FlashFixers.com today,5/25/05, only downloaded the software on 5/24/05. Anthony, the rep, wanted to find out how I liked the software and was interested on how it was going with me. WOW, that was a first for me ever! A rep wanting to know how a demo version was going for me and to please get back to 1-800-834-9377 or to FlashFixers.com with any other issues. Are these people for real? An honest to God site that cares???
I guess they do!
I will call him tomorrow and explaine that I have to wait for my card reader to show up before I evaluate the software.
Just for the heck of it, download the trial version which includes some very useful tips overall.

Hope you liked this info.I will post back with my experiences next week. Hopefully my flash card is restored.

Taboma/Kevin

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MODERATOR SNAPSHOT2: San Disk, Need your help on this one!
May 31, 2005 1:57PM PDT

Moderator Snapshot2:
If there were a help message going out right now?this is one!

Need help with installing software and how to set up a SANDISK ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer. I run a Mac system 10.2.3 presently.
The SanDisk unit was manufactured in China. I think the instruction manual was also written in China with a translation back to many languages!
I cannot follow these instructions on how to install the software. Starts out with Windows, than Mac in OS9.2 and 10.2.1 and back and forth between Windows and Mac.
Installing the button: STOP! First install application for button. Don?t need it with Mac and so forth. Confusing as Hell! I could also go to the Chinese or French set-up also. Just as confusing. I cannot read or speak Chinese. I hate manuals because most manuals are written by technical writers that do not know what the difference is between a space bar and outer space!
The CD disk is equally confusing with icons that do not start with Windows or Macintosh setup. Lots of confusing languages and icons though.

The following is just a smattering that I found on the disk.
NOWHERE did I find how to install to a Mac
Please go to the end of text and see help that I need.
Thanks!
The following is what I found on the CD. Just more jibberish as far as I am concerned.

USER GUIDE:
SDDR-89 Bedienungsanleitung.pdf
SDDR-89 Guida dell?tente.pdf
SDDR-89 Guide d?tilisation (France).pdf
SDDR-89 User Guide.pdf

Installing
Before connecting the ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer to your computer, you may need to install the
device driver.
You can skip this section if your operating system is Windows XP, ME, Windows 2000 with
Service Pack 3, or Mac OS 10.1.2+ and proceed to Installing the Button Application.
Install the Windows 98SE and Windows 2000 driver (for systems with Windows 2000 and with SP1
or SP2 installed)
1. Insert the CD included with the ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer into the CD-ROM of your computer.
2. Left-click on the START menu and open the RUN menu. Click BROWSE to locate the drive letter of
your CD-ROM.
3. Select the setup.exe file and click OK. Follow the on-screen directions.
Install the Macintosh 9.2.X driver:
1. Install the CD included with the ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer into the CD-ROM of your computer.
2. Double-click the CD-ROM icon on the desktop and then run the USB Reader Installer application for
your Macintosh operating system. The Read Me file opens first.
3. Click Continue.
4. In the Installer Dialog, select USB Reader Installer in the drop-down menu and then click Install to
install the device driver.
5. Follow the on-screen directions.
Installing the Button Application (Media Card Companion, only for Windows)
1. Insert the CD included with the ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer device into the CD-ROM of your
computer.
2. Left-click on the START menu and open the RUN menu. Click BROWSE to locate the drive letter of
your CD-ROM.
3. Select the \Button Application\setup.exe file and click OK. Follow the on-screen directions.

Connecting
Connecting the ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer to the USB port is simple. You don?t need to turn off or
restart your computer when attaching the ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer. Since the ImageMate 12-in-1
Reader/Writer is powered by the USB connection, an AC/DC power adapter is not needed.
Before connecting the ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer, complete the device driver installation.
See INSTALLING.
There are two ways to connect your ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer to your computer:
1. Insert the ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer into the Docking Station. Connect the Docking Station
cable to your computer.
?or?
2. Use the extra Travel USB cable to connect your ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer to a computer
directly (the Docking Station is not required in this case)
When the ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer is connected for the first time, your computer may display a
message that the device is being installed (may vary slightly depending on your operating system).
Windows Disk Icons
When you connect the ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer on a Windows operating system four removable
disk icons representing the media slots show in My Computer with newly assigned drive letters.
Macintosh Disk Icons
When you connect the ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer on a Macintosh operating system, removable
disk icons labeled ?no name? representing the media slots show on desktop when media is inserted.
Using
The ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer has four media slots. Each slot can be used for two or four types of
media. When you install the ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer, you will see four new removable drives
appear. The new drive letters represent the following memory types:
? 1st new removable drive: CompactFlash I/II
? 2nd new removable drive: SmartMedia/xD
? 3rd new removable drive: SD/miniSD/MultiMediaCard/RS-MMC
? 4th new removable drive: Memory Stick/Memory Stick PRO/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick PRO Duo
Inserting Media
To install media into one of the Reader/Writer?s
slots, insert the connector end of the card/stick.
Do not force the media into the slot.
For CompactFlash I/II, SD, miniSD, MultiMediaCard,
RS-MMC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO,
Memory Stick Duo, and Memory Stick PRO Duo,
insert with memory card label facing the SanDisk
logo on the side of the ImageMate 12-in-1
Reader/Writer. For SmartMedia/xD, insert with gold
plated side facing the SanDisk logo on the side of
the ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer.
SD
miniSD
MultiMediaCard
RS-MMC
Memory Stick
Memory Stick PRO
Memory Stick Duo
Memory Stick PRO Duo
SmartMedia
xD
CompactFlash I
CompactFlash II

Using it on Macintosh without the button application
(The button application is not compatible with the Macintosh operating systems)
1. Connect the ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer to the USB port on your Mac (do not connect to
Monitor or Keyboard).
2. To transfer files place a card into the Reader/Writer unit. A new drive will appear on your desktop
called ?untitled?.
3. Drag and drop files to and from the new drive as you would to any other disk or folder.

SDDR-89 Gu? del usuario (Spain).pdf
SDDR-89 Gebruiksaanwijzing.pdf
SDDR-89 Gu? del usuario (Latin).pdf
SDDR-89 Guide d?tilisation (Canada).pdf
SDDR-89 Guia de Usu?io (Brazil).pdf

BUTTON APPLICATION:
SDDR-89 Bedienungsanleitung.pdf
SDDR-89 Guida dell?tente.pdf
SDDR-89 Guide d?tilisation (France).pdf
SDDR-89 User Guide.pdf
SDDR-89 Gu? del usuario (Spain).pdf
SDDR-89 Gebruiksaanwijzing.pdf
SDDR-89 Gu? del usuario (Latin).pdf
SDDR-89 Guide d?tilisation (Canada).pdf
SDDR-89 Guia de Usu?io (Brazil).pdf

WINDOWS 98 SE
DATA1.CAB
Win98Re.dll
DATA2.CAB
ProductName.ini
WinXPAdd.dll
Win2kRe.dll
Win98&ME
Setup.exe
SETUP.INX
Setup.ini
WinXP
WinXPRe.dll
Win2kAdd.dll
DATA1.HDR
WinCom.dll
Win98Add.dll
LAYOUT.BIN
IKERNEL.EX_
SETUP.JPG
Win2K\

They seemed to have left out a number of languages.
To bad for them!
To top it of there is a free Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 Starter Edition. Same jibberish on installation.

PHOTOSHOP ALBUM
Autoplay
Chinese Simp
English
Portuguese
Italiano
Deutsch
Espanol
Francais

Who the heck wrote this junk for an instillation manual?

Anyone out there that can give me help installing the software and hardware on a simplified and easy to follow setup? I call it KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid for me. If all else fails I will have to call the tech people at San Disk. Hope that I will speak to a member of CNET on board. Could happen. Who knows?

Thanks, Kevin

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SanDisk Imagemate
Jun 1, 2005 12:21AM PDT

I know nothing about Macintosh.

The instructions seem OK to me:

You did not mention what version of the Mac operating system you have, the Imagemate seems to be compatible with only two.
.......................................

Do not connect the Imagemate yet.

.......................................

If you have Mac OS 10.1.2 or higher, you do not need to load any drivers.

......................................

If you have Mac OS 9.2.x you need to load a driver:

1. Put the CD in the drive.
2. Double-click the CD-ROM icon on the desktop and run the USB Reader Installer application.
3. Click Continue
4. Select USB Reader Installer and then click "install the device driver.
5. Follow the on-screen directions.

........................................

Now you can connect the USB cable to the USB port on the Mac.
(Do not connect it to the keyboard or monitor port).

.........................................

You are ready to go.
Plug in a memory card and an Icon will appear on the desktop (called "untitled").

Use drag and drop to move the photo files from the card to the hard drive.

.........................................

To remove the card
1. Drag the "untitled" icon into the trash.
2. Pull the card out of the slot.

........................................

Note: the button on the Imagemate does not work with Mac.

..............................
..............................

Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0

This version will likely not work on a Mac.

..............................

...
..
.

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SanDisk Imagemate card reader
Jun 1, 2005 11:11AM PDT

Snapshot2, Thanks for your fast reply.
I have read the manual four times tonight. Looks like the SanDisk is ready to plug and play on my Mac 10.2.3 system.
Thanks for the heads-up with the Adobe Photoshop Album software 2.0.
Seems to be a simple software to edit and arrange photo files.
Why do you want me to not use the SanDisk just yet??

This is my second post to this forum tonight because AOL bumped me off the CNET forum a few minutes ago and I had to re-start AOL. Seems too many posts are pending and AOL can't keep up with the heat in the kitchen. I would love to dump AOL from as my provider. Tech help is outsourced to Bombay, India.

Joe, thanks for your help. :

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SanDisk Imagemate
Jun 1, 2005 11:58PM PDT

My statement:

''Do not connect the Imagemate yet.''

Was step 1. of my instructions.

It was to let you know; that you should not connect the Imagemate before you install the drivers.

.........................

Since you do not need to load drivers,
just plug in the Imagemate and you are ready to use it.

........................


...
..
.

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SanDisk Imagemate
Jun 3, 2005 2:21PM PDT

Joe, Thanks. P let me know also that I do not have to load anything. Just plug-and-play.
The manual was confusing to me.
I will let you know if I can recover my photos from the software later.

Kevin

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Also look at
May 20, 2005 5:54PM PDT

rgfitz,
I keep forgetting about CNET reviews. The problem that I have has been addressed many times before?
Thanks, Will check out the reviews. Also, I feel more comfortable that CNET Forums have the solutions.
I did not feel that comfortable when I screwed up my flash card sitting on a tour bus heading to Istanbul, Turkey, last Friday afternoon. Loosing over 400 photos? Yet, I was thinking about CNET Forums later on and their solutions and help, hopefully. Right now, I feel good!
Thank you Fitz and P,:

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Card Reader
Jun 1, 2005 10:01PM PDT

Kevin,
I feel that you are making a very easy thing, very difficult.

Install the Photo recovery software.
Plug in the card reader. If you get an "out of power message", plug it into the Mac and not the keyboard. Consider buying a Powered USB Hub, but not right now.
Insert the card.
It will mount on the desktop
Use the Photo recovery software
When finished, drag the icon of the card into the trash
Remove the card.

No Drivers or additional software required when used with OS X (any species)

P

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Card Reader
Jun 3, 2005 2:15PM PDT

P. Thanks for responding. I do have a USB hub. I have the recovery software. Will do.

Kevin

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Card Reader
Jun 6, 2005 12:35PM PDT

P. I have a USB Port but it is not powered for the USB 2.
What brand and USB-2 Powered Port do you suggest?
Kevin

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USB2 Controller Card
Jun 7, 2005 1:15AM PDT
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USB2 Powered Hub
Jun 7, 2005 11:33AM PDT

Joe, I need an external powered hub, not an internal powered USB2 hub. One question. What happens to my other hardware that relys on USB1.? Will everything work as always? Scanner, etc? What do I do with my old USB port?
I am not an IT person and USB2 is new to me.

I did hook up the card reader with an older 30 Meg Flash Card and had the USB connected to my Mac computer. Got the Icon for the card on my desktop. Tried to trash the icon and take out the card from the SanDisk card reader.
Could not take the flash card out of the card reader.
Did not want to force it out.

Need a powered hub to do that???

Thanks, Kevin

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USB2 Powered Hub
Jun 7, 2005 1:01PM PDT

I do not understand what you are trying to do.

Having a powered hub has nothing to do with taking a card out of the card reader.

Just pull the card out of the reader.

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WILL YOU JUST PLUG IT IN AND WATCH IT WORK!
Jun 7, 2005 9:50PM PDT

Kevin,
You do not have USB 2.0 on your Mac, therefore you will have to "suffer" with USB 1.0 speeds.
USB Port:-A hole, into which you put the USB plug from your USB device
USB HUB:-A USB hub does NOTHING other than take the USB output from your Mac, and give an additional 4, usually, USB ports. Hubs can be Externally powered or take power from the USB port. Powered Hubs are preferable. The USB speed is exactly the same as the USB speed of your machine.
All USB 2.0 devices are required to be able to operate at USB 1.0 speeds.
So, follow the instructions given earlier, plug it in to your USB port, put the card in, watch it mount on the desktop, get on with life.
If in any doubt, go back and READ my posts on this subject.
This has got to be the longest post for a "Plug it in and watch it work" device, ever.

P

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Plug it in
Jun 10, 2005 3:33PM PDT

P. Got it finally. I am not an IT person. Wait till my next post. It may take even longer! :

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IT WORKS
Jun 16, 2005 12:47PM PDT

P, My co-worker bought the software FlashFixer that you recommended. Took my flash card that was reformated and restored 100% of the files. All 319 files. FlashFixer works!
Thanks for your posts. Always the best posts from you.
One recommendation from them was after you have downloaded all the files fro a flash card was to reformat the flash card. Kind of starting out with a clean card.
That way, one would be able to restore files that had been deleated.
Again, Thanks!

Kevin Smith