How do I open JPG files with an "invalid JPEG marker type?"?

Question

My external hard drive crashed. I took it to the Geek Squad, who said they were able to recover all of the files. As it turns out, they only recovered *some* of them. I have thousands of images that will not open. When I try to open them in Photoshop, I get an error message saying "Could not complete your request because an unknown or invalid JPEG marker type is found."

I have attempted to open the files in MS Paint and with GIMP. I receive error messages in both programs. I've dragged the files to my browser and they don't display. I attempted to rename the files using various extensions with no luck, either. I dragged one of the files to Notepad to see if they were marked as JPEGS appropriately but the first 10 characters are ³*ù¶>¥~W'v´óÿ, which I'm told is *not* a JPG file.

These files are quite important and I would love a way to somehow be able to recover them. Any suggestions?

Tony RB · Accepted Answer

The only other alternative is to send the hard drive to a data recovery specialist - and those are very expensive, more expensive than the value of the photographs.

Backup, backup, backup.

You can get free online storage for your photos at many websites, like Microsoft Live.

You can also use Yahoo Flickr, and also email yourself each photo as an attachment, and have two copies thereby, one in the sent folder and one received.

boyington · Answer

Invalid Jpeg Marker

? · Answer

Unless the actual file data had been stored in an unfragmented state (i.e. you regularly defragment  your drive), it is practically impossible to recover any files. Renaming the files would have worked if this wasn't the case. As you've noticed with your Notepad experiment, some of your files may have been broken. 

Sometimes, the drive's Master File Table can be scanned for these fragments, and it seems Geek Squad got what they could, but not everything.

Sorry to say that you'll have to do a better job of keeping backups next time.

[The answers other than Jackie's are *shills* for the products they're spamming. Not only are the programs not likely to work, but you may only find out they're worthless after *paying* for them.]

Anonymous · Answer

When a hard drive crashed, there will be recoverable files and there are files that are simple corrupted, which can't not be recover. I think when Geek Squad told you that they are able to recovered all the files they meant they are able to recover all the files that are recoverable. I'm sorry but once the file is corrupted, there is no way of un-corrupted them. It's not like you have accidentally deleted the file and want to recover it, now that is do able, but corrupted file...nope

? · Answer

convinced, i had this ensue jointly because the rfile replaced into too great, it substances this message. you're literally no longer allowed extra ideal than 10MB's finished rfile attachment, magnificent click your rfile to be particular what volume meg's that is, and also you want to have your answer. i comprehend it particularly is complicated yet a minimum of yahoo grants 10mb's of attachments, diverse mail centers have plenty a lot less.

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How do I open JPG files with an "invalid JPEG marker type?"?

5 Answers