I can't access the pictures in my Sony Cyber-Shot digital camera
because the camera screen is telling me there is a formating error
even though I did not attempt to format the stick. How can I save the
pictures?

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Request for Question Clarification by missy-ga on 29 Jun 2003 15:18 PDT

Hi there,

What model number, please?  I've been looking into this, but there
seem to be a number of different models available, each with its own
quirks.  The more details you can offer, the better we'll be able to
help you.

--Missy

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Clarification of Question by jamesvernon-ga on 29 Jun 2003 15:46 PDT

Sony cyber shot 2.0 mega pixel DSC-P51

Hi there,

Either the memory stick was never originally formatted, or something
has gone wrong with it.

According the the manual the answer is to format the memory stick:

FORMAT ERROR • The “Memory Stick” format failed. Format the “Memory
Stick” again (page 43).

On page 43:

1. Insert the “Memory Stick” you want to format into the camera. Set
the mode dial to SET UP, and turn on the power.

The term “formatting” means preparing a “Memory Stick” to record
images; this process is also called “initialization.” The “Memory
Stick” provided with this camera, and those available commercially,
are already formatted, and can be used immediately. When you format a
“Memory Stick,” be aware that all of the images in the “Memory Stick”
will be permanently deleted.

2. Select (SETUP 1) using [up/down arrows] on the control button,
select [FORMAT] by pressing [right arrow]. Then, press [right arrow],
select [OK] using [up/down arrows], and press the center [circle].

To cancel the formatting Select [CANCEL] using [down arrow] on the
control
button, then press the center [circle].

3. Select [OK] using [up/down arrows] on the control button, then
press the
center [circle].

The “FORMATTING” message appears. When this message disappears, the
format
is complete.

To show the actual symbols used in the instructions that match those
on your camera, you need to download the manual (an Acrobat .pdf
file), or find the manual that came with your camera.
ftp://ftp.ita.sel.sony.com/ccpg/dvimag/manuals/cybershot/DSC-P31-51-71.pdf

If you don't already have Acrobat Reader, you can download it for free
from: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html


If you believe that there are currently photos stored on the memory
stick, that you wish to recover, then you will need specialized
recovery software. Let me know (via a clarification) if this is the
case, and I'll find some options for you.


Search Strategy
---------------
I went to Sony.com and browsed their support section until I found the
manual.


Best wishes,
robertskelton-ga

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Request for Answer Clarification by jamesvernon-ga on 29 Jun 2003 16:35 PDT

yes, it was the pictures I wanted to retrieve....please elaborate.

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Clarification of Answer by robertskelton-ga on 29 Jun 2003 19:18 PDT

Here are some programs and services that are specifically designed for
recovering data from smart media, including Sony memory sticks:

WinHex
http://www.winhex.com/winhex/index-m.html

PhotoRecovery
http://www.prophotogear.com/recovery.htm

Active Undelete
http://www.active-undelete.com/

Media Recover
http://www.mediarecover.com/

Flash Fixers
http://flashfixers.com/

Data Recovery 24/7
http://www.datarecovery247.com/media/memorystick.html

If you don't have a card reader, the last three in the list have a
postal service, where they will return the lost files on a CD.

Note: The clarification process is an important feature of Google
Answers, as it allows for an on-going dialog until the customer has
received the precise information they require. Researchers prefer it
if you only rate answer when the clarification process has ended, for
the rating cannot be changed later.

Rob.