"Scrambled" Picture File

[webserverdude]

Hello, fellow forum members,

I have seen to have "corrputed" some of my pictures by transferring them to another computer on a wireless connection and without a back-up. I knew it was a risky move, but I decided to take it, and it got me in a position that I wish I was never in. An example of one of the corrupted files are in the attachments. But, the thumbnail seems to be intact. I attached that as well. Is there anything that can help me "unscramble" these precious kodak moments?

[crossnet]

I know the pain you have. Your original photos may still be on the first computer's hard disk and could be recovered. Even though you deleted them, only the file directory is initially erased. Don't write anything to that disk so you don't overwrite the data.

First, look in the Windows Trash folder for the files. If they are present, simply select them and restore. If they are not in the trash, the photos may still be recovered by means of an unerase utility, like Norton. Don't recover the files to the same hard drive to prevent overwriting the data.

If they are really gone, you may be able to find some help on one of the image processing forums.

Let me know how you do.

emr

[webserverdude]

I have tried various free ware utilities, and none of them have found any folders or pictures. I have barely written anything to the hard drive since then. I am pretty sure that with the right tools, I can probably recover. Could anyone recommend any FREEWARE utilities that I could possibly use in success?

[stustunz]

have you tried opening with different software ?

[HTPCGB]

Out of curiosity, could you post one of these corrupted files?

Edit: The trial of GetDataBack will scan for lost files for free, however; you need to pay for a license to recover them.

[psycik]

I have tried various free ware utilities, and none of them have found any folders or pictures. I have barely written anything to the hard drive since then. I am pretty sure that with the right tools, I can probably recover. Could anyone recommend any FREEWARE utilities that I could possibly use in success?

If you're missing important things such as photos, wouldn't you be better looking for a proper commercial solution, rather than relying on freeware?

[crossnet]

I have a number of utilities, but I haven't used them for some time. I'll see if any are suitable. First I need some more info:

What version of Windows is this?
What HD format are you using? (NTFS, FAT32)?

One other thought, you might try to recover the photos from your camera card.

emr

[webserverdude]

Windows XP with NTFS

The camera photo card has been reused to its maximum capacity to help me out in this quest. I should tell you guys that not all of my pictures came out corrupt, but only about 10% of them.

[wtg]

FYI, I have successfully used several of the freeware file undelete utilities included in the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows - http://www.ubcd4win.com/contents.htm. Check out the tools listed in the Recovery section. I think it was Free Undelete and/or Restoration that worked for me.

[crossnet]

Here is a utility called Digital Image Recovery. Its an old freeware program that searches and recovers common image file formats. The company no longer exists, but it works very well. I just retested it with WinXP and NTFS. Be sure that you set it to save the recovered files to another drive. If this doesn't work, I have some others, so let me know the results.

emr