damaged CF card slots

VayCayMom

It's Sunday so I can't call a camera shop, but I am hoping I can get my images from this card. It was damaged by my card reader, I did not realize the pins were bent. Whatever I put the card in , it is not read, no message, no error, just not recognized. I have images from a baby shower job I shot yesterday, what are the odds of getting my images? :cry

rich56k

VayCayMom wrote: »

It's Sunday so I can't call a camera shop, but I am hoping I can get my images from this card. It was damaged by my card reader, I did not realize the pins were bent. Whatever I put the card in , it is not read, no message, no error, just not recognized. I have images from a baby shower job I shot yesterday, what are the odds of getting my images? :cry

Sounds like the card is fine - it's your card reader that needs replacing - head to a Target, Walmart, Office Depot, etc.

They're all open Sundays - go for it!!

To your original question - odds are 100% you'll retrieve the images!

rich56k

rich56k wrote: »

Sounds like the card is fine - it's your card reader that needs replacing - head to a Target, Walmart, Office Depot, etc.

They're all open Sundays - go for it!!

To your original question - odds are 100% you'll retrieve the images!

PS: Try to be more careful when you insert the cards in the future - the same error in your camera won't be so easy to correct.

basflt

if your camera can read them , they are ok
connect camera to PC and transfer thru cable

this is rather common with CF-card readers

divamum

Also, check the holes on the card to see if there's a pin stuck IN one of them. I had that happen once and was able to v.e.r.y. carefully pull it out with a pair of tweezers.... the card was fine after that. Obviously, try that at your own risk - and there's no guarantee it will always work - but for what it's worth!

Matthew Saville

divamum wrote: »

Also, check the holes on the card to see if there's a pin stuck IN one of them. I had that happen once and was able to v.e.r.y. carefully pull it out with a pair of tweezers.... the card was fine after that. Obviously, try that at your own risk - and there's no guarantee it will always work - but for what it's worth!

Divamum has a point- do not, I repeat DO NOT, just put your cards back in your camera (or any other device) before checking the pin holes. That's a great way to turn a $20 card replacement into a $200 camera repair. OUCH.

If the pin holes on the card look damaged in any way, (usually a bent pin in a CF reader will cause an "extra hole" in the CF card, which can jam-up or completely block one of the REAL pin holes in the card. If you stick this card into your camera, you'll just bend more pins.

If the pin holes are jacked up, time to call Drive Savers unless you've got the guts to try and read the card yourself. Drive Savers will absolutely be able to get the data back, but it would be expensive.

if you'd like to try fixing messed-up pin holes on your own, go out and buy a couple cheap USB CF readers, and take a needle to the CF card to try and re-set the pin holes. It sounds crazy but it's not that difficult if you have nerves of steel. Good luck!

=Matt=

VayCayMom

My cheap card reader is headed to trash, I will not use anything damaged.

My camera and my Digital Foci do not even SEE the card. My computer's built in card reader failed last year. I do see a pin with the top snapped off in my portable reader that I have been using, but I cannot really see into the card slots with out a magnifyer. I know that is spelled wrong.. is there a place here to get correct spellings??

I am willing to pay to get the images, right now EVERY job I do is important to my future! And this baby shower at Grandma's million dollar home,and all the young girls there, was a important job, plus the baby daddy is a DR!

I will keep you all posted, thanks for all the input and advice on all things related to this..

angevin1

VayCayMom wrote: »

I will keep you all posted, thanks for all the input and advice on all things related to this..

Good Luck Trudy!

VayCayMom

Thank you everyone!! I tried a few very gentle moves like tapping the card with the slots facing down etc. Then I took Matt's advice and I called Drive Savers. It is expensive but worth it to me in order to reach more potential clients in that million dollar circle of pampered young daughters etc. I do believe they will be able to get the images back. It has wiped out all the money I made the last month but in the long run it could be worth thousands' Thank you Matt and everyone that took the time to share your thoughts with me.

VayCayMom

success!

VayCayMom wrote: »

Thank you everyone!! I tried a few very gentle moves like tapping the card with the slots facing down etc. Then I took Matt's advice and I called Drive Savers. It is expensive but worth it to me in order to reach more potential clients in that million dollar circle of pampered young daughters etc. I do believe they will be able to get the images back. It has wiped out all the money I made the last month but in the long run it could be worth thousands' Thank you Matt and everyone that took the time to share your thoughts with me.

I have my files and they look great. I would call them again if I was ever to require miracle workers.

divamum

Glad you got the files, Trudy!

Gary752

I have had problems with the cheap card readers in the past. The main problem with the cheap card readers and CF cards is the pins are set too close to the opening, and allows the card to contact the pins before the card is properly aligned. I did some research and found a card reader that has the pins set further back in the opening and isn't all that expensive. The one I finally bought is the Lexar Model # LRW024URBNA and I think I paid around $36.00 at Wally World's website. I've had mine for close to a year now, and have not had a problem since. The nice thing about this one is when it's not in use, you just push it down and it locks in plce with the openings protected from forign material from entering the slots. When ready to use it you press on the two tabs on the sides and it pops up. Here is what it looks like.



GaryB

VayCayMom

Thanks Gary and I agree about the reason that the cheaper ones fail.