Retrieving A LOT of deleted photos

[Kiity]

I was just on holiday in China and a security scanner machine in a train station there somehow wiped my camera's memory card. I lost around 1000 photos. Unfortunately, I didn't actually realise until later, and I kept on taking photos on the same memory card, about 1000 more (it's a 4GB card). Now home, I have uploaded the 2nd set safely to my computer but I don't know if I should delete them from the card - will this make it easier or harder for any recovery program to find the first set? I've tried numerous programs already (PC Inspector, Recuva, ZAR) and they all find the 2nd set of photos, but only a few of the 1st set. Is there any way of retrieving all of the first set? I know it's a lot of photos to recover but I would love to get them back - it was a once-in-a-lifetime kinda holiday! I would really appreciate any help!!

[A.M.D.A.]

I hate to tell you this Kiity, but it sounds like the photos were lost for good.

I would suggest to try as many image recovery software programs as possible, if you google "image recovery" you'll get plenty of hits, including free downloadable versions.

Also, don't do anything with the damaged memory card, other than what is instructed by the software. The more the memory is toyed with, the less chance of a succesful recovery.

To prevent this issue from happening again in the future, here are a few tips:

#1. Always format the memory card after downloading/backing-up. (Format in-camera, not with a computer).
#2. Carry at least two medium-capacity cards, so in case one fails, you still have images in the other.
#3. Be wary of static electricity, moisture, and extreme temperatures.
#4. Make sure the gold contacts are clean.
#5. Always treat the memory card gently, and carefully insert it into the devices.

[bluesguy]

I second what AMDA posted. I would entertain the idea of obtaining professional recovery help if the images are as important as you say. Balance the cost of professional recovery that may or may not succeed against how wedded you are to the "lost" images.


bluesguy

[Kiity]

Thanks guys. I've been trying loads of the online recovery programs and keep getting the same results - it finds all of the undeleted 2nd set of photos (of course) and only a handful of the 1st set.

Can anyone recommend a good place to try going for professional recovery? I live in Taiwan (can't really do it here) so I would be sending the memory card home and asking someone to go there on my behalf.