Wednesday, November 11, 2009

What Causes A Memorycard Corruption







Memory cards allow for hundreds of pictures to be taken and saved.


Memory cards have expanded over the years, allowing for hundreds of pictures to be taken in one sitting. Memory cards are small and fragile and must be treated with care. There are many reasons why a memory card can get corrupted, and it often leads to losing any pictures contained on that card. There are simple things that can be done to prevent the card from getting damaged.


Empty or Dying Batteries


Often the card is corrupted because of simple things that are done without even thinking. When taking pictures, make sure that you have a fully charged battery. If the camera dies while taking a picture, often that picture will not have been written to the memory card. The same thing applies if the batteries die while transferring those pictures to the computer.








Removing or Turning Off Memory Card Too Early


If you turn off the camera or remove the memory card before it can actually write the data to the card, it will corrupt those files. If you need to remove the card from the camera or the computer, make sure it has transferred, or written all the data, before you remove it. If you open, delete, rename or move a file while transferring data, it can damage the files.


Memory Card Not Formatted for that Camera


Formatting is a common problem. A memory card formatted on a computer can actually be corrupted when inserted into the camera. Or if you format a memory card on one camera and use it on another, it often will be corrupted when inserted into the second camera.


Other


Sometimes taking photos too rapidly before the camera can completely write the data onto the card, or taking a picture and deleting it, will cause corruption. Also, letting the memory card get too full before downloading it to your computer can damage the data.


Memory Card Fixes


If the card becomes corrupt, stop using it. Do not format or delete any images. Sometimes, instead of using an importing program, dragging the photos from the card to a file will allow you to save the photos. Many memory card companies also offer image recovery programs that help save the photos on corrupted cards.


Once you have done all you can to rescue the photos, you have two choices. You can reformat the card in the camera you are going to use it in. Or you can buy a new memory card. If you choose to keep the same card and the problem happens again, realize that the card may be corrupted beyond repair. Buy a new one.

Tags: memory card, card corrupted, Memory cards, card camera, card from, corrupted when