Pictures Deleted, Then Recovered, But Not Really. MY FAULT - Please assist!

[Loki_D_Wolf]

I hate that this has to be my first post. I found this site via the Nikon site that I'm on. Thought great idea to join since all I really use is LR1 and now LR2.

Ok, I needed space on my hard drive. I did a backup for LR2 because I found a folder, not paying attention to which folder, had 13GB's of space that I could use. It was a bunch of pictures. I thought to myself I already have them on backup so they can go. Yep, you guessed it. It was where LR2 defaulted all backups to.

I began to delete them when I realized that. I hit cancel but by then 8GB's were already deleted. In a desperate search for ways to recover I found a program that did just that. It's called: EasyRecovery Professional. It recovered whatever I deleted (including things not related to LR2).

My scenario now is this - I have pictures, some that when I try to open them open as an "x" in MS Picture Manager. I thought maybe putting the pictures back into the folder but that didn't help either.

I'm talking about over 11,''' pictures. Some vital to me. Any help would be a lifesaver. Of course I've learned my lesson. External hard drive is coming VERY soon.

Thanks to any and all for any assistance that can provide a solution!

I'm using a PC with Windows Vista 32. I have LR1 and LR2 in addition to Adobe Photoshop CS2. I have a lot of other software applications for photos but LR2 is the one I use 9'% of the time.

Here's howl LR2 looks now:

 

[topanga]

Hi Loki_D_Wolf and welcome to the forum.

If your folders in the left side panel have "?" marks on them, right-click to help locate and search for the files.

If your pics have the "?" marks only, right-click on the question mark to receive the error message: "The photo xxx could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" And start looking on your hard drive for the files.

If you did erase those photo files and your recovery program brought them back in, you need to show LR where they are located on your hard drive because they were moved since the last time the LR cat file recorded their whereabouts. BTW, LR Backups do not contain photos, the backup folder contains one file: Lightroom Catalog-2.lrcat and you still have it and that is why it requests those missing photos.

Best,
Darr

 

[Loki_D_Wolf]

?

So moving them doesn't do it. Just let LR2 know where they are. Ok. Sorry to type but I'm not sure howl to do that. I mean where is the option to change the directory to do that?

And when I right click on them it basically opens up a tree where the pictures were originally.

 

[topanga]

And when I right click on them it basically opens up a tree where the pictures were originally.

First you need to locate where those missing files are via Explorer or My Computer and make note of it. Then when you click on the missing photos from within the Library module, point to them through the tree that appears. Just simply click on your folder structure to find them.

 

[Loki_D_Wolf]

Too much to do. Too little time.

First you need to locate where those missing files are via Explorer or My Computer and make note of it. Then when you click on the missing photos from within the Library module, point to them through the tree that appears. Just simply click on your folder structure to find them.

Darr, first thanks for jumping in to try and help me.

Second I'll give that tip a shot a little later. Just so you know, the main problem is I can't tell which is which because though I was able to recover things, I can't identify them. I tried putting everything back into the original folder with no joy. But from the way it sounds I have the tedious task of just going through them one by one. I just have hesitation because I don't want to point to something in Explorer and have LR replace something that belongs with something that doesn't belong permanently.

I have to work on my motorcycle. It's my daily transportation. Will definitely keep you posted!

 

[Robert T Higaki]

I agree with Darr. Those question marks indicate that the links are broken and you need to find those files. I know that can be a pain in the rear end. Once you find that particular file, you can re-establish the link (and the good part-the rest of the photos(in that particular group) will re-establish, too.

Bob

PS: I had a similar problem but at least I had an images to look at(so I know what to look for). I just realize you do not have any images- that makes it virtually impossible. I am sorry

 

[Loki_D_Wolf]

Eating Crow

I agree with Darr. Those question marks indicate that the links are broken and you need to find those files. I know that can be a pain in the rear end. Once you find that particular file, you can re-establish the link (and the good part-the rest of the photos(in that particular group) will re-establish, too.

Bob

PS: I had a similar problem but at least I had an images to look at(so I know what to look for). I just realize you do not have any images- that makes it virtually impossible. I am sorry

In this case I am about to endure. I'm even considering reinstalling LR and making it import the pictures I have recovered. Some I can see, most I can't. It's like trying to clean spaghetti after you poured on the sauce.

 

[Denis Pagé]

Loki, in your first post where the trird frame is highlighted, look at the bottom just over the filmstrip. I see something like DSC_'661.jpg (not sure about the number). So, make a search on your drive for that filename. That may help... And good luck!

 

[Loki_D_Wolf]

Punishment for being stupid

Loki, in your first post where the trird frame is highlighted, look at the bottom just over the filmstrip. I see something like DSC_'661.jpg (not sure about the number). So, make a search on your drive for that filename. That may help... And good luck!

Thanks for the tip. I'm actually going to be working on a little of it tonight. Probably after the debates. As I typed I got a hold of some recovery software which brought stuff back. But now I believe I might have to do the tedious chore of putting pictures back one by one.

Well, those that I can tell what they are.

 

[jericalbert]

Lightroom 1.4 Missing Photos

I am new to this forum and following up on "missing photos" with a related question.

I understand the the "?" on a photo and the folder name in red indicates that the photos are not where LR thought they were and I should re-establish the link by hand using MS Explorer (or whatever) to find the files.

The question I have though is because the files are truely missing. But since LR displays them, why can't I create a new file from the one LR is displaying as "missing". LR has obviously made a copy and is using it to display the photo, is there a way to re-create the photo? What am I not understanding?

Thank you.

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Hi jericalbert, welcome to the forum!

Do you have backups of your files? If not, you'll definitely want to do so in future!

LR does build it's own previews, although they are smaller/lower quality than the originals. It's possible to extract those using LR/Viewer, however I'd suggest you duplicate the catalog and previews before trying anything, in case you lose those too.