HELP! Most of the folders have disappeared from my SD card

[martin_ayton]

It's just the weirdest thing. My PPC (a Hermes) is working just fine, but suddenly, about 45 minutes ago, most of the folders on my 2GB micro-SD card just disappeared. That includes a bunch of data and all the programs installed to the SD card but, curiously, not the SPB backup folder or files, the Temporary Internet folders, the DLL store or the Pocket_Informant_setup.exe file which was still in the root of the card. The remaining card capacity hasn't changed a jot, which tends to suggest that the stuff is still there, but I can't see it, or get to it, either with the built in file manager or via ActiveSync.

The thing that seems to have triggered this is a registry change that I made to get rid of the password time out under external power. I have made this change several times before with no problem.

I'm at a loss. Can anyone suggest ways of getting this data back? I need it enough that I'll pay for software that will do the job.

[victore]

If the files are truly gone, you can try using PC Inspector Smart Recovery (http://www.snapfiles.com/get/smartrecovery.html) to recover the files. It works great.

[Darius Wey]

Martin, have you tried sticking your card into a card reader and seeing if the files are readable that way?

[Menneisyys]

Please see http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=39583

[martin_ayton]

Victore: Thanks for the tip. I took a look at the app but it seems to be focused on restoring individual files of specific types, which is not what I really need here, where I want the whole file / folder structure restored with a whole bunch of files, many / most of which are (apparently) not supported by PC Inspector. It does however look to be the ideal solution for dealing with a couple of recalcitrant SmartMedia cards in my possession...

Darius: Yes, I have put it in a card reader. No, the files are still not visible :(

Menneisyys: I'm off to read that thread now, thanks.