Can't open my pictures on my SD card?

Question

Any very-smart-with-computers type people out there? I have an SD card that wont let me in... I plug it into my computer and my folders are renamed from the last times I plugged it in with different names including weird characters... and when I try to open it I get a dialog box saying that the "'folder' is not accessible. the filename, directory name, or labeled syntax is incorrect" and I'm thinking it's because of the crazy characters, but I can't rename them either. This is so frustrating. The SD card is from my digital camera and I had hundreds of nice pictures in there.

Answer 1

Sounds like your memory card is corrupt. Perhaps some more technical contributors on Yahoo Answers may be able to help you with "recovery software".



My procedure is to format the memory card before using in the camera I intend to use it in.

Take my pictures;

Upload them to my computer and an external hard drive for back up safety.

Then format my memory card in my camera BEFORE I use it.

And last but not least, NEVER, NEVER use the camera's "delete" button! (delete the picture you don't want off the computer after you up load them to the computer.





Your memory cards will not have such a tendency to fail if you use the above procedure.



Good Luck

Answer 2

Memory cards have a finite working life, especially the cheaper ones. The cheaper they are, the shorter their life-span.



Often when you see crazy characters are randomly generated and indicative of a failing or failed memory card (or perhaps a virus could also cause this). Try Chkdsk and see if it repairs the card... at least enough to retrieve your photos. At the very least, Chkdsk will let you know if the card is failing or not.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udgPQZWYZDw



If you can retrieve the photos, then destroy the card as it will only continue to get worse and eventually fail again. Cards these days are cheap enough that it is not worth the hassle when they go bad.



The life span for memory cards is typically expressed by how many write cycles (uploading or erasing contents) done on the card. In that regard, formatting the card after each use - while a popular activity - can reduce the lifespan of the card, as the FAT is over-written each time the card is formatted.



But in the greater scheme of things, most people will end up buying larger capacity cards before they reach the end of the card's life-span.



So I am not saying to not format after each use if that is what you want to do, but it definitely shortens the card's life span. It's my position that as long as you practice good card management (dismounting the card before removal, etc), then it is not necessary to format the card after each use.

Answer 3

I have tried this with success, I have used this after a low level format. No guarantees, but it's free and worth a shot. YOU NEED A USB CARD READER.



Don't take anymore pictures.



Try this, Download the program http://www.recuva.com?

You must not take anymore pictures on your card.

You will need a card reader either on your computer or an external USB card reader? Put the card in the card reader, open the recuva program, the welcome to the recuva wizard will open, click on next. next box, choose 'pictures', click on next, next box choose 'on my media card' click next. Check 'enable deep scan' click on start. Wait, for it to do it's magic. You might have to click on specific drives. Last time I tried to recover I had to try several different ways. Instead of choosing card, choose the drive if it shows up in the recuva software.



You need to use a card reader either one already in your computer (some have one, some don't). Or buy an external USB card reader. They are around 10.00 and can be found at walmart, bestbuy, frys, probably target.



I was not able to recover photos by hooking the camera up to the pc with the usb cord, it just won't work.



This is the important part. Choose the pics you want to recover, then choose recover, a box comes up asking where you want to save to. Choose documents/my pictures or wherever you want to save your pictures too. The pictures ONLY save to your pc and not the card.

Answer 4

Are you incapable to access pictures on SD card? If yes, then utilize Remo Recover software to retrieve images from SD, CF, MMC and XD cards.

Answer 5

I would try one or more of the disk recovery programs, such as

http://www.officerecovery.com/freeundelete/

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/recovering-those-accidentally-lost.html

http://www.trainsignal.com/blog/data-recovery

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/filerecovery/tp/free-file-recovery-programs.htm

http://www.transcend-info.com/support/DlCenter/DLSoftware.asp?SID=4



I've heard good reports on the last one.

Answer 6

I doubt the memory card is 'failing' like AWBoater said - Nick is probably closer, and the data is corrupted.



If they are irreplaceable and important pictures, you may be able to justify the cost of retrieving the data (of course that begs the question of why you didn't back up your irreplaceable and/or important pictures onto some other media).

Answer 7

Try to close your SD, then run to the store and buy a new one.

Answer 8

Can you provide more details?

Answer 9

to the left of the power button under black cover