It’s probably happened to you, or to someone you know. Images have been accidentally deleted from a memory card, or a card has been corrupted and cannot display images that are on it. If this happens when you’re taking some test shots or shooting something not critical and easily re-shot, it’s one thing. But what if this happens to a card containing irreplaceable photos?

STEP ONE, DON’T PANIC
When all the images on a memory card are erased, they actually aren’t. Instead, the file structure is changed, but the images are still there. Stop using that card immediately. Turn off the camera, remove the card and have the image files restored. Do not re-shoot images on the card or reformat it before you attempt to restore the images. To restore them, you’ll need some image recovery software such as Image Rescue that is included with Lexar Pro-Series memory cards. Many other recovery programs can be found by searching the Web, some with free trial offers. Some photo specialty stores including Porter’s offer image restoring services, also.

HOW TO PREVENT PROBLEMS FROM OCCURING
While it’s great that images can be recovered in most cases, an even better solution is to follow the simple tips below and prevent problems from happening in the first place.

BE PATIENT
Let cycles complete before you make big changes. Wait until the camera has finished writing an image before you turn off the camera. Don’t remove the card from a camera or a card reader while it is still reading or writing images. Let your camera fully power down before you remove the card. Patient handling of your camera and memory cards will help prevent card corruption from happening.

DELETE IMAGES THE RIGHT WAY
A common cause of accidentally deleted images is the “delete-all” feature on camera menus. Perhaps we were distracted and selected “delete all” instead of “delete this image”, or someone not familiar with your camera played around with the different menus and selected the wrong option. There’s no foolproof solution, but one way to prevent it from happening is to become totally familiar with your menus and to NOT use the “delete-all” function. Instead, when you want to erase the card after transferring the images to your computer, use your camera’s card format feature. Not only will it remove all the images, formatting a card recreates the file structure from scratch and cleans up the debris left behind by frequent erasure. Use the card format feature on your camera’s menu—not through your computer’s operating system. Making your card-clearing procedures a matter of habit and periodic maintenance will reduce the chances of an accident from happening.

DON’T SHARE CARDS
If you have two cameras that use the same card type, don’t switch cards between the cameras. Keep your cards devoted to one make/model only. If a card is used in one camera, then inserted and used in a second camera, there is a good chance the card will be corrupted. If you must use a card in a different camera, be sure to copy images to your computer first, then format the card before inserting it into the second camera. Also, always format a new card before you begin shooting pictures with it. It’s also a good idea to format an old card that hasn’t been used in a while.

AVOID MAXING OUT CARD CAPACITY
If a card gets too full, there is a chance the card headers will be overwritten and cause errors. It is better to have several medium-size cards and periodically switch back and forth, than to have one very large card. Depending on just one card for a major event or picture-taking situation leaves you without a backup in case that one card gets corrupted or is lost before the images can be transferred to your computer.

KEEP YOUR CARDS IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT
Strong static charges and areas of low humidity can cause card errors. The small size of memory cards makes them easy to lose, too.  Porter’s has a variety of card cases and wallets that will help prevent a card from getting lost or damaged.

This Card Case is available in two sizes: Compact Flash (100948) and Secure Digital/XD (100949).

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