@Lauraphx wrote:

Thanks ColoKate, I tried that to no avail.....my last option I think is software (Recuva was recommended to me). I tried the free version, which didn't work....I am going to shell out the $19.95 tonight for the paid version and if that doesn't work, I am, regretfully, chalking up the loss

If the free version didn't work, I would not waste money on the paid version. I paid for Recuva and have never had any success with it recovering anything.

@AZwolfman wrote:

If the free version didn't work, I would not waste money on the paid version. I paid for Recuva and have never had any success with it recovering anything.[/quote]

I did and up paying for it, it didn't work and my refund is processing lol

Lauraphx: I had a card fail last week just as you described and the air temperature outside was 107 degrees when I began the shop. I tried the card in the same external reader I always use, but my pc would not read it. I tried the card in my laptop with its internal card reader, but it also would not read it. I tried opening the card with Word Pad and was able to see data on it, including the names of the files that the DVR assigned (FAMH01~1ASF) etc. I have not been able to read the files, and the file shows a size of only 32kb.

I put the card back into the DVR and tried to do a test recording, but the DVR would not read the card. I put another card in the DVR, and it worked perfectly, which indicated the problem was the card and not the DVR. The DVR was working before I left home and again when I started it about a minute before driving into the apartment community. I theorized that something, possibly a static electricity discharge, may have fried the card moments after it began recording.


I never had this particular issue before. I thought maybe that the combination of the dry heat and something else in the environment may have combined to cause a static electricity discharge at the wrong moment. The small file size leads me to think the DVR stopped reading the card seconds after beginning the recording. I gave up on it and decided time was better spent doing more shops. I just will not be using that card anymore.

I also suspect the dry heat had something to do with it! That sounds like exactly what happened to me except i could see the recording after both shops. I have only been video shopping for about 6 months and didn't really think about our AZ summers and its effects LOL

@AZwolfman wrote:

Lauraphx: I had a card fail last week just as you described and the air temperature outside was 107 degrees when I began the shop. I tried the card in the same external reader I always use, but my pc would not read it. I tried the card in my laptop with its internal card reader, but it also would not read it. I tried opening the card with Word Pad and was able to see data on it, including the names of the files that the DVR assigned (FAMH01~1ASF) etc. I have not been able to read the files, and the file shows a size of only 32kb.

I put the card back into the DVR and tried to do a test recording, but the DVR would not read the card. I put another card in the DVR, and it worked perfectly, which indicated the problem was the card and not the DVR. The DVR was working before I left home and again when I started it about a minute before driving into the apartment community. I theorized that something, possibly a static electricity discharge, may have fried the card moments after it began recording.


I never had this particular issue before. I thought maybe that the combination of the dry heat and something else in the environment may have combined to cause a static electricity discharge at the wrong moment. The small file size leads me to think the DVR stopped reading the card seconds after beginning the recording. I gave up on it and decided time was better spent doing more shops. I just will not be using that card anymore.

This is possible, though some SD cards are built to withstand static discharge. Kingston says their products are designed to withstand "high levels of ESD" but extreme levels might be trouble.

It seems like it might be rare, but it can't be completely ruled out. It'd likely needed to have been a pretty strong zap though. Did you have bad static that day do you remember? If yeah sounds like a plausible theory to me.

Here's the info about kingston sd cards. [www.kingston.com]

@jrossetti wrote:

This is possible, though some SD cards are built to withstand static discharge. Kingston says their products are designed to withstand "high levels of ESD" but extreme levels might be trouble.

It seems like it might be rare, but it can't be completely ruled out. It'd likely needed to have been a pretty strong zap though. Did you have bad static that day do you remember? If yeah sounds like a plausible theory to me.

Here's the info about kingston sd cards. [www.kingston.com]

It was SanDisk (10) and I would not necessarily have noticed a static electricity discharge. My focus was on the shop, my scenario, and I was likely talking (announcing time, target, location, etc.) when whatever happened happened. I wear my DVR in a holster on my belt with my untucked shirt over it. I suppose I could have slid across the seat as I was exiting the car. The outside air temp was 107 and RH was 6% as I recall, but the a/c in my car was blowing out 50 degree air before I opened the door and stepped out. Or it could have just been an invisible gremlin in a nasty mood. Or maybe it was just the end of the card's life.

Living in a higher humidity area I only think about static during the cold months. It can definitely wreak havoc with equipment. My wardrobe is primarily cotton and I am careful about the coats and scarves worn during the winter. As an added precaution I keep a can of Static Guard in my coat closet along with a travel size in the console of my car which is primarily used on the seats. Those of you in dry areas may want to make spraying down your clothes and cloth car seats part of your routine.

Thanks @LisaSTL! I honestly didn't even think of that, I am going to take that advice

I'm going to go ahead and go with gremlins.

@AZwolfman wrote:

@jrossetti wrote:

This is possible, though some SD cards are built to withstand static discharge. Kingston says their products are designed to withstand "high levels of ESD" but extreme levels might be trouble.

It seems like it might be rare, but it can't be completely ruled out. It'd likely needed to have been a pretty strong zap though. Did you have bad static that day do you remember? If yeah sounds like a plausible theory to me.

Here's the info about kingston sd cards. [www.kingston.com]

It was SanDisk (10) and I would not necessarily have noticed a static electricity discharge. My focus was on the shop, my scenario, and I was likely talking (announcing time, target, location, etc.) when whatever happened happened. I wear my DVR in a holster on my belt with my untucked shirt over it. I suppose I could have slid across the seat as I was exiting the car. The outside air temp was 107 and RH was 6% as I recall, but the a/c in my car was blowing out 50 degree air before I opened the door and stepped out. Or it could have just been an invisible gremlin in a nasty mood. Or maybe it was just the end of the card's life.

@thefoxbox wrote:

I used to do IT support for 7+ years... Do not waste your money purchasing recovery software. (Recuva's free version works amazingly well, anyway.)

Can you come and visit me and my tech related issues once a month? I love all your down home advice.