Recovering a corrupt compact flash card

[AZ4Runner]

Recently while taking shots of my son, I was having some camera issues. My camera was not shutting down. So in my haste, I removed the batteries and reinserted them to see if the camera returned to normal operation. The camera started acting normal again but I was getting a flashing (CHA) message on my screen. Evidently in the Nikon world this means you've got issues with your memory card. And from what I can tell, removing the batteries corrupted part of the card.

Well, turns out that all of the images on the card are fine, minus 2. They're corrupted. I can copy all of the images off the card no problem.

Problem is, I can't reformat the card, or erase the images. Anyone know of any utilities or tricks that I can use to reinitialize the card?

[Merlyn]

Try this link.
http://www.cardrecovery.com/

You can have issues with the card when the camera is writing to the card and you turn the camera off. Also if you format the same card using several different divices such as different cameras or computers, you also can develope an issue with the card. Always format the card after removing the pictures and each time with the same device. Hope this helps.

[AZ4Runner]

Thanks for the tip Merlyn. I went and downloaded the demo software but it wasn't what I was looking for. I was able to get the images off my card, I just couldn't format it or even delete the images.

I did some searching on the Sandisk website and they recommended a utility called Card Wiper that tested the card for errors and was able to completely erase the card.

I tried using it on my laptop last week and it took over 18 hours to tell me there was a problem. I used my desktop computer last night and it took me about 30 minutes to test, and then wipe clean. Guess that's the power of using USB2 and a fast processor.

Card was cleaned, and now reformats in my camera as good as new.

[Merlyn]

Card Wiper. This is good to know. Thanks back to ya. I will have to download it myself just to be safe.

[rpoffenberger]

Thanks for the info. I have a card that wouldn't format after using it in multiple cameras. I'll have to try out Card Wiper, hopefully I can bring it back to life.

[Saralonde]

A google search led me to several places that allow you to download Card Wiper. One caution about using it. It completely wipes off your card so that you can no longer get the data you wipe off. Probably good to use after you've exhausted all other possibilities.

[AZ4Runner]

Yeah, it will completely erase your card. (Which is what I was looking to do since I already had extracted my images and was trying to reformat my card for further use.)