Can't get photo files to open...

[Linda]

I saved some files on a CD to use at a later time when I reformatted my hard drive. I've used this CD before and was able to open the files, however today when I try to open files all I get are error messages. Does anyone have any idea why this could be happening? The errors I get are: "This is not a valid jpeg-jfif file." or "This is not a valid bmp/dib/rle file." These are all pictures that I had scanned and stored. I hope someone can help.

Thanks,

Linda

[dilemmania]

Hello Linda,

If the disk once worked and now it doesn’t leads me to believe corruption may have occurred in storage. My first thought would be solar flares. . . no that’s stupid, you probably don’t live near ozone hole by the south pole.

I have read in several groups about black felt tip pens & markers bleeding through the surface plastic “over time” to the lasers reading surface. This is why they have markers specifically designed for CD’s. It’s only my guess.

Maybe someone else has another idea or a recovery method.

[cici]

Welcome Linda,

A few times ago I couldn’t open a back-up CD, but I had no error message as yours.

I was obliged to purchase a special software to open my CD back.

You can find this program (CD-R Diagnostic) at this address

http://www.cdrom-prod.com/ .

Before purchasing it, I suggest to download the free evaluation version: so you can be sure that it works. Of course, in the case it opens your CD, you must buy the program if you want to copy your files.

Just try, and let us know.

[Linda]

I have read in several groups about black felt tip pens & markers bleeding through the surface plastic “over time” to the lasers reading surface. This is why they have markers specifically designed for CD’s. It’s only my guess.

Christopher,

I thought maybe you had nailed the problem as I have marked on some of my CD's with a black marker, but I popped this one back out to look, and I haven't written on this one at all. I'm glad you brought this to my attention though. I'll be more careful how I mark my CD's from now on.

Thanks,

Linda

[Linda]

A few times ago I couldn’t open a back-up CD,  but I had no error message as yours.

I was obliged to purchase  a special software to open my CD back.

Sam,

I downloaded the trial version of the software that you mentioned. My son is going to be coming home from Europe this week and he has a degree in computers, so I am going to turn it all over to him to figure out. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks for your reply.

Linda

[Guest guru]

Linda, the same happened sometimes to me too. Unluckily Jpeg, as other compressed files (above all .zip files) are rather critical, and a little loss of bits in the header, not so exceptional in a burned CD, can make them illegible.

[boxig]

Linda

It will be interesting to read how this story will end.

Anyway, even it may sound unnecessary - did you try the CD on another computer ?

[Clive Timmons]

Hi Linda

when you try to open your cd can you see any files at all ? if so are there" jpg markers" on the file name eg, "Linda 01 .jpg, if the .jpg is missing try replacing it by copying the file and renaming it , sometimes if filenames are too long they get shortened by the burn process I have had CD's in the past that just refuse to open but if there is a file showing then this might help

Keep the faith, Regards Clive

[Ken Cox]

Linda, try copy and paste from cd to hard drive and then try to open them

is the disk a cd-r

or a

cd-rw

is your system

win98

or

xp

a cd-rw disk formatted on a win 98 system is very touchy if you try to access it on on xp system -- the recommended thing is to copy all data to your hard drive, and reformat the cd-rw with xp

ken

[Linda]

I'll try to answer some of the questions that have been asked. The CD that these photos are on is a CD-R. It had other types of files on the CD also, it was sort of just a back up CD of things I wanted to keep. I was running Windows 98 second edition on my machine when the CD was made and I still am. I haven't tried it on another computer yet but I want to try that as soon as I have a chance. There are several directories on this CD and there are photos and graphics in several of them. The files I am having trouble with are all in the same directory. I just tried to open some other types of files in that directory and they do not open properly either. All of the other types of files (including bmp, jpg, gif) that I have tried to open in any of the other directories work fine. I am 100% sure that in the past I have opened some of these files that I can no longer open. I've tried to copy and paste from CD to hard drive, I've tried opening them in a different program (I usually use Paint Shop Pro 5)...nothing works. The file names weren't shortened, that part seems fine.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. When my son gets here late this week, I will have him check it out and see if he can figure out whether or not anything can be done to save these files. I wil let you know the outcome.

Linda

[HaroldB]

Was this CD burned to disk all at one time, or was it burned in multiple sessions? If it was burned in multiple sessions, the reading drive has to be multi-session capable -- is it possible that it is not?

Harold

[Ken Cox]

Harold's remark jogged me -- have you tried opening the disk in the burner drive

or in somebody else's system

and re markers for for cd's

see

http://www.sanfordcorp.com/sanford/consume..._A&_DAV=Sharpie

ken

[Linda]

Harold & Ken,

It's been a while since I made this CD but I think that I burned it all at one time. I've tried it in both drives with the same results. I haven't tried it on another system yet but I am going to as soon as I get a chance.

Thanks for your input. Also...thanks for the link about markers. I'll let you know what happens.

Linda

[boxig]

Linda

I found this software which looks as it can help (maybe ?)

didn't try it so here it is if you want to check it;

Called :" Cdmage" probably for damaged image on CD.

http://www.onlythebestfreeware.com/program...?program_id=120