missing photos

missing photos
07-09-2012

I recently downloaded photographs from 4 collections and a friend's private collection. I can't find them on my camera or on my PC. I think they may have been deleted. Does anyone know how to get them back?

07-09-2012

If these files were really deleted, you should do this:

If you have two or more PC, you shouldn't use now one of them which contains deleted files. Don't use your camera, eject memory card.

(I suggest you use some version of Microsoft Windows). Go to Recuva - Undelete, Unerase, File and Disk Recovery - Free Download and download this free program. Or you can use other program like Zero Assumption Recovery (even demo version of this program is able to recovery deleted JPEG files from memory cards). Install it on your PC, insert memory card into card reader and start a program. It has easy interface. It will offer you to save files to another card or drive, and you should do so.

Now about your PC, which contains deleted photos.
Best way is to remove HDD, attach it to other PC (for instance using external box), and proceed as I wrote above, but it is very inconvenient (and I think not every PC user can do it). You can install recovery program on this PC but it is very likely that some of deleted files will be overwritten and will be lost, especially if you have only one logical disk (usually disk C: ). If your deleted files were on other logical disk or other HDD, situation is much better then, and you may try to recovery your files. Again, you should to save this files to other disk or card, which doesn't contain deleted files you want to recover.

07-09-2012

You may also use program which work without installation to disk like SoftPerfect File Recovery, it is a good chance to restore deleted files undamaged.

Last option - there are different "LiveCD's" with Linux and other systems, and packs for boot from flash drive. Maybe some of them include programs to restore deleted files.

07-09-2012

Did you check the recycle bin Rob?

08-09-2012

SMR I did, I found a programme which has indicated that deleted photos are still on my PC, over 16000 of them. This was just a demo and I have to buy it to recover them.

I'm looking for something that is free before I commit myself. The ones I need are in folders jpeg3 and jpeg4 which makes things a lot easier.

I'll try anain over the weekend.

10-09-2012

I tried to use this, but it says there is nothing to recover.

11-09-2012

I've never used it, but two programs I've mentioned in the beginning (Recuva and ZAR) are installed on my PC, and they work pretty good. If you afraid that files are missed start again program which gave you list of files (if you didn't remove it from your PC). If this program still shows that files could be recovered, try to use Recuva. If program shows no files to recovery then unlikely such programs will help you, but try Recuva anyway.

11-09-2012

Callorhinus thank you so much for your help. I appreciate it.


I'm pleased to say your assistance is not needed. The missing photos have turned up in an unmaned folder, so I still had them on the PC after all.

11-09-2012

Glad to hear it!

11-09-2012

You are welcome

That's good! Result is the main thing.