Correcting bad file names :(

Adrian Wong · 13th Mar 2008, 06:23 PM

Does anyone have any idea how to correct bad file names? Here's what happened.

I have a Nikon D70 which has been acting up real bad recently. For example, it cannot seem to access the CF card.

Just a few days ago, I took some pictures and then realized that the camera corrupted the photos on the card! By then, it was too late.

I tried correcting the corrupted photos in the card but I found that at least 10-15% of the photos were too corrupted to retrieve. Another 20% were saved. However, many of them were, oddly enough, given bad file names by Windows Vista! Take a look at some examples here:

DSC_5?9.JPG
DSC_5*4.JPG
DSC_7:8.JPG

As you can see, the characters ?, * and : are unacceptable in file names. As such, the files are inaccessible. I can't even rename them in Command Prompt.

Does anyone have any idea how I can rename them? Otherwise, I will have to consider them lost as well.

Mac Daddy · 13th Mar 2008, 07:35 PM

Sheesh thats not cool at all man. Have you tried unlocker to change the filenames ?

Norton's used to have some utilities for this stuff but haven't used it in years

UNLOCKER 1.8.6 BY CEDRICK 'NITCH' COLLOMB

Adrian Wong · 13th Mar 2008, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Daddy

Sheesh thats not cool at all man. Have you tried unlocker to change the filenames ?

Norton's used to have some utilities for this stuff but haven't used it in years

UNLOCKER 1.8.6 BY CEDRICK 'NITCH' COLLOMB

Going to take a look at Unlocker. Thanks.

Hope it works!

Adrian Wong · 14th Mar 2008, 12:40 AM

Argghhh.... Unlocker doesn't help because the files aren't really locked. They just have invalid file names.

Mac Daddy · 14th Mar 2008, 05:57 AM

Hmmm there is an option to change the file name on reboot though thought it might be worth a try

Chai · 14th Mar 2008, 07:45 AM

Well, I think it has got nothing to do with the files being lock. The files are corrupted IMO. I'm not sure if you can save it.

Adrian Wong · 14th Mar 2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Daddy

Hmmm there is an option to change the file name on reboot though thought it might be worth a try

That's assuming the files are being locked by an application. The problem with the invalid file names is Windows Vista does not support those characters.

I have no idea why Windows Vista renamed them as such.

Adrian Wong · 14th Mar 2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chai

Well, I think it has got nothing to do with the files being lock. The files are corrupted IMO. I'm not sure if you can save it.

Well, Windows Vista managed to restore a large number of pictures. It's just that a portion of them have invalid file names.

I haven't been able to move them, so if I want to use the card, I will have to format it.. and lose those photos.

Mac Daddy · 14th Mar 2008, 06:58 PM

Thats too bad I still haven't tried Vista yet ... can't really think of anything else to try

Ishtim · 14th Mar 2008, 08:21 PM

Adrian,

Are you saying that this is a Vista problem or a camera problem?

13th Mar 2008, 06:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Adrian Wong Da Boss Join Date: 10 Oct 2002 Location: In front of my BenQ Joybook 7000 notebook! Posts: 29,426 Reputation: 2830 Rep Power: 63	Correcting bad file names :( Does anyone have any idea how to correct bad file names? Here's what happened. I have a Nikon D70 which has been acting up real bad recently. For example, it cannot seem to access the CF card. Just a few days ago, I took some pictures and then realized that the camera corrupted the photos on the card! By then, it was too late. I tried correcting the corrupted photos in the card but I found that at least 10-15% of the photos were too corrupted to retrieve. Another 20% were saved. However, many of them were, oddly enough, given bad file names by Windows Vista! Take a look at some examples here: DSC_5?9.JPG DSC_54.JPG DSC_7:8.JPG As you can see, the characters ?, and : are unacceptable in file names. As such, the files are inaccessible. I can't even rename them in Command Prompt. Does anyone have any idea how I can rename them? Otherwise, I will have to consider them lost as well. __________________ Dr. Adrian Wong Tech ARP \| Blog @ Tech ARP \| The Free Trade Zone DYKT : The only offshore account I have is at the sand bank? Keep Tech ARP free! Visit our sponsors! We need PROGRAMMERS and TECHNICAL WRITERS! Contact us if you are a hot shot programmer or technical writer! My items for sale : 50x SD Card \| Memory Stick PRO \| Cyclone Energy Saver \| Seiko SS watch \| Tiger/Carlsberg beer jugs \| Travel Speakers \| Motorola V600 \| Nokia N90 SOLD! \| New Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Other items for sale @ the FTZ : Zalman CNPS9500 LED @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7700 Cu @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7000 Cu @ $20 \| Swarovski bracelet watches \| Dell 17" LCD \| Hi-Fi speakers \| English DIVX movies \| HP LaserJet toners! \| Office chairs Last edited by Adrian Wong : 13th Mar 2008 at 06:31 PM.

14th Mar 2008, 12:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
Adrian Wong Da Boss Join Date: 10 Oct 2002 Location: In front of my BenQ Joybook 7000 notebook! Posts: 29,426 Reputation: 2830 Rep Power: 63	Argghhh.... Unlocker doesn't help because the files aren't really locked. They just have invalid file names. __________________ Dr. Adrian Wong Tech ARP \| Blog @ Tech ARP \| The Free Trade Zone DYKT : The only offshore account I have is at the sand bank? Keep Tech ARP free! Visit our sponsors! We need PROGRAMMERS and TECHNICAL WRITERS! Contact us if you are a hot shot programmer or technical writer! My items for sale : 50x SD Card \| Memory Stick PRO \| Cyclone Energy Saver \| Seiko SS watch \| Tiger/Carlsberg beer jugs \| Travel Speakers \| Motorola V600 \| Nokia N90 SOLD! \| New Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Other items for sale @ the FTZ : Zalman CNPS9500 LED @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7700 Cu @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7000 Cu @ $20 \| Swarovski bracelet watches \| Dell 17" LCD \| Hi-Fi speakers \| English DIVX movies \| HP LaserJet toners! \| Office chairs

14th Mar 2008, 07:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 26,115 Reputation: 3845 Rep Power: 70	Well, I think it has got nothing to do with the files being lock. The files are corrupted IMO. I'm not sure if you can save it. __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

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13th Mar 2008, 07:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mac Daddy Pickin' Da Gitfiddle Join Date: 19 Nov 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 2,048 Reputation: 802 Rep Power: 11	Sheesh thats not cool at all man. Have you tried unlocker to change the filenames ? Norton's used to have some utilities for this stuff but haven't used it in years UNLOCKER 1.8.6 BY CEDRICK 'NITCH' COLLOMB

14th Mar 2008, 05:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mac Daddy Pickin' Da Gitfiddle Join Date: 19 Nov 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 2,048 Reputation: 802 Rep Power: 11	Hmmm there is an option to change the file name on reboot though thought it might be worth a try

14th Mar 2008, 06:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mac Daddy Pickin' Da Gitfiddle Join Date: 19 Nov 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 2,048 Reputation: 802 Rep Power: 11	Thats too bad I still haven't tried Vista yet ... can't really think of anything else to try

14th Mar 2008, 08:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ishtim Super Moderator Join Date: 14 May 2003 Location: Alabama, USA Posts: 3,604 Reputation: 2688 Rep Power: 35	Adrian, Are you saying that this is a Vista problem or a camera problem?