Lost everything from my SD card - recovered with PC Inspector file recovery program

[New2PDA]

I'm hoping my experience will help someone out.

I'm not sure what happened, but yesterday I recorded about a 15 minute conversation. I went to rename it and save it in another folder on my SD card. It seemed to go well, but then all of a sudden everything was gone from my SD card.

I used file explorer, but nothing. I decided I would wait until I got home and throw the card in my card reader.. hoping it would be able to see all my files... no such luck

I search the net for a free data recovery program (yes I'm cheap).

I first came across EasyRecovery Professional Trial. Great program it was able to show me all my files on the SD card, but can't recover them unless I purchase the program. Sorry I'm not spending $1,500.00 to recover a few files off my $50.00 SD card.

So back to searching the net.

I came across PC Inspector file recovery program http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htm
It's freeware and works great.

Fortunately I purchased a 2gb card three weeks ago. When I switched cards, I decided I would make a backup copy of my SD and save it on my PC.

I used the PC Inspector file recovery program to locate the files I wanted to recover (the ones I didn't have on my back up copy) saved them, then copied my backup copy to the SD card and put the saved files back.

Everything was back up and running.

Here are a couple things you can take from my experience:

1.) Backup your files
2.) Backup your files in more than one location.(I do use the Axim's backup program, but as a rule(former) I backup just to my SD card. I know there are better backup programs out there, but remember I'm cheap)
3.) If you do lose your data, remember not all is lost there are programs out there that can help you recover it.

[ringaroundther]

Are you still just using the Axim backup program? I've been using it with no problems (yet!), but I'm wondering if I need to purchase another backup program.
Any recommendations?

[New2PDA]

Are you still just using the Axim backup program? I've been using it with no problems (yet!), but I'm wondering if I need to purchase another backup program.
Any recommendations?

Even after this experience, I'm still cheap. It just taught me to backup often and save the backup in a couple of locations (memory card and PC).

I know there are a couple good backup programs out there like Sprite and SPB backup, that come highly recommended from other members, but I have no experience with them.

If my wife would let me, I would probably purchase one of them

[ringaroundther]

You're not cheap; you're frugal!

[New2PDA]

You're not cheap; you're frugal!

I guess that would be my wife that's frugal

[MrMiguel]

Even after this experience, I'm still cheap. It just taught me to backup often and save the backup in a couple of locations (memory card and PC).

I know there are a couple good backup programs out there like Sprite and SPB backup, that come highly recommended from other members, but I have no experience with them.

If my wife would let me, I would probably purchase one of them

Grab the Sprite Backup free trial from www.spritsoftware.com you can make backups for 10days

[ringaroundther]

Thanks, MrMiguel.

[Alastair]

I second Sprite it is worth the money; if you just want to make a backup copy of an SD card etc use Ice Mirror from Ice Graphics (free) and it will make a perfect mirror of pretty much anything.