Is My Memory Card Shot?

[momof1princess]

i've got a 128 mb card that i use when i know i'm only going to take a few pictures and i used it at wdw last week cause we were only there for 3 days. i was unable to retrieve 2 of my pictures from it-they uploaded, i just can't see them and when i took the memory card to wal-mart to get prints made, the pics didn't show up either. it's no big deal, i have others that hold more, but i didn't want to throw it away if it's still good. would reformatting the card correct the problem, or should i just toss it? TIA!

 

[Master Mason]

You can try reformating, but since memory is so cheap, I personally would just toss it and get another, why take chances with your memories

 

[momof1princess]

my thoughts exactly, i guess i just wanted to read it from someone who knows what they're talking about-thank you!

 

[Gdad]

since memory is so cheap, I personally would just toss it and get another, why take chances with your memories

Exactly.

 

[AndrewWG]

i've got a 128 mb card that i use when i know i'm only going to take a few pictures and i used it at wdw last week cause we were only there for 3 days.

3 days? Holy Cow! I would fill 128 MB in about 1 hour! I guess you aren't as shutter happy as I am.

I agree with the others. Get yourself a 1GB card and you could shoot for about a month.

 

[momof1princess]

3 days? Holy Cow! I would fill 128 MB in about 1 hour! I guess you aren't as shutter happy as I am.

I agree with the others. Get yourself a 1GB card and you could shoot for about a month.

i wish i'd taken more, especially during the MNSSHP parade, but there were just sooooooo many ppl, i always missed the right shot!

 

[Groucho]

Try doing a format and then take a few pictures (it won't take many to fill that card!) and try copying them down. If they all copy down OK, the card is probably fine, it had just gotten corrupted - maybe it was removed from the PC or camera when it was still being written to.

If it is bad, you might be able to get it replaced under warranty, memory cards often have lifetime warranties. It's up to you if it's worth the postage to ship it back....!

 

[seashoreCM]

Has the memory card ever been reformatted?

At least for Canon cameras, the suggestion has been made that after every six or so fill ups and downloadings the memory card should be reformatted while inside the camera. Although it would take several printed pages and a Ph.D. in computer science to understand exactly why, camera users have found that these reformattings forestalled "problems" with the memory cards and have even "rejuvenated" memory cards that seemed "shot".

From the stories I read in such sites as Stevesforums.com the more often individual pictures are deleted during a picture taking day, the more likely problems occur such as fewer pictures filling up all the space.

Of course you would download all of the pictures into your computer first since reformatting will "wipe the slate clean".

Once you have a problem, its up to you to see whether reformatting and then filling up the card with test pictures taken back at home is worth the effort and cured the problem.

Digital camera hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/digicam.htm

 

[jann1033]

last post made me wonder...i always reformat my card to clear it rather than just delete the photos...good idea or not good idea

thanks