Memory stick recovery service.
Recover your deleted or missing digital photographs.
We also recover:
Compactflash Cards
Secure Digital Cards
MMX Cards
Smart Media Cards
Microdrives
USB Flash Memory
and
most other digital memory card formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm getting a "no images" error message. Is there any hope of getting my photos back?
Your photographs are probably still recoverable.
I accidentally formatted my memory stick. Is there any chance my photographs are recoverable?
Most of your photographs are probably recoverable. Most digital cameras do not actually erase the photographs when you perform a "format". The photographs are still on the card, they just aren't viewable. Unfortunately, some newer digital cameras have started writing "zeros" to every memory location on a flash card during a "format". If your camera is one of those your photos will not be recoverable.
How could my memory stick have become damaged?
There are several ways that your memory stick can become corrupted or inaccessible.
The most common problem is created by ejecting the memory stick from the camera before the camera has finished writing to the card.
The second most common form of damage occurs when you use a flashcard reader to conduct read and write operations to the memory stick. The software in your computer handles these operations differently than the software in your camera. The end result is that the files on your memory stick become corrupted. Never use a program like ACDC, Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, etc. to open files directly from your memory stick reader and then save the file back to your memory stick. Some programs will write to the memory stick in the process of opening a file and this will immediately damage the files on your card. Any operation that "writes" to the card, can corrupt the card. The only time a file should be saved to your memory stick is when it is in your camera.
Never use your computer to "format" your memory stick. Computers use a different form of file allocation table (FAT) than do digital cameras. Formatting your memory stick with your computer can make part of the memory unavailable for storing photographs or can corrupt your card to where you can't view or read the pictures already stored on the memory stick. Always format your memory stick, in your camera, using the camera's built in software.
Static electricity can also damage the files on your memory stick. This is more of a problem in the wintertime. If you can zap yourself with static, conditions are perfect for damaging your memory stick.
Another way your card can become damaged is if you camera runs out of battery power while it is reading from or writing to your memory stick. This usually results in a "card not found" or "card not formatted" error.
Using your memory stick in more than one camera can eventually create a problem. You should only use the memory stick in one camera. If you decide to use the memory stick in a second camera, you should transfer all the photographs to your computer, then format the memory stick in the new camera .
There are also physical forms of damage that can make your memory stick inaccessible. Your memory stick contains millions (possibly billions) of internal electronic components, and electrical connections that are thinner than a human hair. These electronic components can fail totally at random or due to external stresses like flexing of the card, camera batteries that are low, moisture (in wet climates), and poor manufacturing. When a memory stick develops internal physical damage it will take one of two forms: a short circuit (most common) or an open circuit. In the case of an open circuit, your images will not be recoverable by any electronic means. There is no electrical path to allow your images to be located and copied to your computer. In the event of a "short circuit" your card may be totally inaccessible or partially inaccessible. It depends on where the short circuit occurs.
If I send you my memory stick and you aren't able to recover my photographs, how much do I have to pay?
There is no charge to analyze your memory stick to determine if your photographs are recoverable. If I am unable to recover your photographs, the only amount I ask you to pay is $6 for return postage and handling. If you'd like to avoid this charge, please provide me with a pre-addressed pre-stamped return envelope.
I'd rather send you my memory stick than attempt the recovery myself. What should I do?
Please click on this "print this form" link, fill it out and include it with your memory stick. The form gives me your contact info.
