Are flash drives reliable for storing photos and documents?

Callender said:

For .jpg files I use a certain utility:

Click to expand...

Callender:

Thanks for the pointer to the md5 utility.

What's the name of that jpg utility with the "delete corrupt files" checkbox?

Edit: I think I can read the name of it in the lower right corner of the screen shot, where it appears you deliberately obscured the name, but it's semi-legible?

I'm guessing you had a good reason to obscure the name, but I'm at a bit of a loss about that.

More edit: I found it with Google from Softonic, but still not sure why the obscured name.

Are deleted files sent to recycle or deleted outright? Is there any way to examine them prior to deletion in case they are in fact readable?

ignatzatsonic said:

What's the name of that jpg utility with the "delete corrupt files" checkbox?

Edit: I think I can read the name of it in the lower right corner of the screen shot, where it appears you deliberately obscured the name, but it's semi-legible?

I'm guessing you had a good reason to obscure the name, but I'm at a bit of a loss about that.

More edit: I found it with Google from Softonic, but still not sure why the obscured name.

Click to expand...

Download link can be found in this post:

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...-empty-directori-post2670015.html#post2670015

The reason for obscuring the name: The program will remove all non picture data including any personal info/ metadata. For that reason it should not be run on personal photos if this information is required. (Or Professionally taken photos)

ignatzatsonic said:

Are deleted files sent to recycle or deleted outright? Is there any way to examine them prior to deletion in case they are in fact readable?

Click to expand...

For me Recycle Bin options are set to "Don't move files to recycle bin. Remove files imeediately when deleted"

Yes you can examine files prior to deletion if you select the preview option.


There's also a results log displayed with the option to save the log.


The way I use it:

For important images that I must keep: Make backup copies of folders and run the program keeping the backup copies available. Usually I have weekly system image backups available anyway.

For any other non personal directories I just run the program every month or so.

EDIT:

It can be set to make backup copies of files before deletion/ modification but if working with a large number of files you end up with a lot of backup images to delete. Personally I don't use the backup option.

Aye aye.

Your usual good job, Callender.

Callender said:

Yes I've never had a problem with flash drives loaded with repair tools. Only problems with corrupted personal files.

Click to expand...

That's an interesting observation, and, in the vein of Murphy's Law, suggests a more general rule. In your honor, I will call it

Callender's Law: The likelihood of data loss is directly proportional to the value of the data and inversely proportional to the frequency of backup and number of backup methods used.

Personally I have had frequently trouble with the storage of photo's.
Whether it was on a USB flash drive or a SD card.
Taken out of the camera or the CPU although with camera off, or the proper procedure to disconnect the device, still corrupted the file somehow.
Check Disk was usually unable to repair these files.
So I always back it up on a HD or a DVD.
Never trust any single backup.

As Murphy pointed out:
something that could be going wrong, will most likely do so at the worst moment.

Several of my flashdrives died without known reason.
A brandnew USB HD drive wouldn't read or write the next day etc.
So no, flashdrives are no reliable medium.
Apart that you could easily loose them.

My Photographer has a drawer full of forgotten USB drives or cards.