Recover files from internal storage on M11

[neonvoid]

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I need to recover files I accidentally deleted from the M11 internal storage. Recovery tools like PhotoRec don't work because the internal storage doesn't appear as a drive in Windows and is invisible to these tools.

Any help appreciated.

[J S H]

Although this process is fairly straightforward with a memory card (it sounds like you have a little experience with PhotoRec), I suspect you will not be able to access the internal memory with any of the standard Mac or Windows recovery tools. I would not be surprised if Leica has the capability to recover the files (maybe by putting the camera into a 'Service' mode, which would allow PTP access), but it will obviously be a hassle to send the camera to them. You may have already tried, but it would probably be  advisable to reach out to customer service and see what they say. 

[neonvoid]

23 minutes ago, J S H said:

Although this process is fairly straightforward with a memory card (it sounds like you have a little experience with PhotoRec), I suspect you will not be able to access the internal memory with any of the standard Mac or Windows recovery tools. I would not be surprised if Leica has the capability to recover the files (maybe by putting the camera into a 'Service' mode, which would allow PTP access), but it will obviously be a hassle to send the camera to them. You may have already tried, but it would probably be  advisable to reach out to customer service and see what they say. 

Yes, I sent an email to customer service, interesting to see what they can suggest.

[dugby]

I bought a licence of Isobuster for recovering some unusual (non mainstream)  filesystems.

It’s now my first tool of choice to recover lost/deleted/hidden files and file systems 

[neonvoid]

1 minute ago, dugby said:

I bought a licence of Isobuster for recovering some unusual (non mainstream)  filesystems.

It’s now my first tool of choice to recover lost/deleted/hidden files and file systems 

Does it have access to the M11 internal storage?

[Photoworks]

Leica is not supporting disk access, so the drive does not show in any recovery software.

 

I am sure Leica has firmware that would allow that, but I have no idea how it works.

You need to stop using the camera and get in touch with support.

[neonvoid]

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Leica support said I should try Recuva, which I tried and it didn’t see the internal storage also.

Premium support for a premium product

[dugby]

I do not have an M11, so am unable to test Isobuster for your scenario.

 

The M11 Maestro II SOC is developed by SOCIONEXT, and most likely runs an embedded Linux-type of operating system.

I have successfully used Isobuster on Windows to access USB mounted storage devices from SOC devices that use UFS (universal file system)

 

If Windows File Explorer can access via USB the M11 internal storage, I would wager that Isobuster will find Maestro file system and possibly the deleted files, so long as you have not undertaken a format or reset of the internal storage or camera reset.

 

 

[neonvoid]

I just tried Isobuster and it's the same situation as with other tools, it sees only my hard drives.

Btw, this is the file system type - DCF:

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[dugby]

 

As you can display the internal storage device properties, 

You should be able to try the following Isobuster steps -

 

Start IsoBuster and select the USB stick or other device. Selection can be done in the  dropbown in the top left corner of IsoBuster

If your data is not immediately displayed, right mouse click the icon in the left pane and select "Find Missing files and folders". This test will find your data. Select the displayed found files and folders and right mouse click them, choose "extract", and you're done.

[neonvoid]

18 minutes ago, dugby said:

 

As you can display the internal storage device properties, 

You should be able to try the following Isobuster steps -

 

Start IsoBuster and select the USB stick or other device. Selection can be done in the  dropbown in the top left corner of IsoBuster

If your data is not immediately displayed, right mouse click the icon in the left pane and select "Find Missing files and folders". This test will find your data. Select the displayed found files and folders and right mouse click them, choose "extract", and you're done.

Unfortunately, only my SSDs show up.

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[neonvoid]

I dug a bit deeper and the PTP protocol that the M11 uses when connected via USB doesn't allow access to the physical storage, it only provides an abstraction over existing files. Hence recovery of deleted files is not possible.

Edited April 19, 2023 by neonvoid

[neonvoid]

The PTP limitation and the fact that it's so easy to accidentally delete all images (really bad UX here) makes the internal storage on the M11 useless.

[dugby]

If you are a paid license holder of Isobuster, you might send them an email about your issue.

I've had good email correspondance with them.

 

[dugby]

I've had more of a look at PTP,  the "Picture Transfer Protocol"  which is designed for Linux based systems.

 

I've also been using the Linux distribution   "Elementary OS"   to access some other obscure Linux based file systems.

Elementary OS is available on a "pay what you think it's worth model. You could download the ISO and build onto a spare small SSD eg 120GB and see if it can USB mount

the M11's PTP.

[neonvoid]

1 hour ago, dugby said:

I've had more of a look at PTP,  the "Picture Transfer Protocol"  which is designed for Linux based systems.

 

I've also been using the Linux distribution   "Elementary OS"   to access some other obscure Linux based file systems.

Elementary OS is available on a "pay what you think it's worth model. You could download the ISO and build onto a spare small SSD eg 120GB and see if it can USB mount

the M11's PTP.

Thanks for the info.

[fenykepesz]

there are many linux-based rescue OS, "Elementary OS" being one them (i am not familiar with) to boot from a PC.  once booted, you just connect your M11 camera via a USB port to your PC now running linux.  PTP support is native on linux for years, so with a bit of luck you may be able to save you 'lost files'.  i only own an M10-D so i can't simulate and test my suggestions on a system like yours, sorry...

i suggest you also check Finnix - it's very powerful though CLI-only (command line interface) and so you may want to team up with somebody who knows what is a terminal.  then Rescatux may be another option, with some GUI functionality which should make your life easier.

mazeltov !

[dugby]

I used quite a few different Linux distributions over the years - Redhat, Fedora, Suse, Mint, Pear, and enterprise AIX, HPUX and SunOS Solaris.

My two favorites are Elementary OS and TENS(no longer available)

 

If you're not familiar with Linux / Unix, don't be afraid, just remember all IPhones and iPADs and APPLE PC all run a flavor of Unix based on the original Berkeley (BSD) Unix.

Even Android is an adaptation of Linux.

 

Elementary OS is probably the most user friendly for existing Windows/Apple users, and to install and run on a spare SSD is quite simple, just follow the install documentation

 

 

[algrove]

So OP in the future do not confirm you want to reformat your Internal Memory after hitting reformat Internal Memory. To me it seems clear what I am doing when I erase or reformat any memory on my M11 or M11M. Yes, we all make mistakes and sorry you did.

Or did your camera do something you did not ask it to do?

 

M11 Manual cleary states:

– When formatting a storage location, all date(it should say "data") in that storage loca-

tion will be irretrievably lost. Formatting will not be prevented by

the deletion protection set for individual pictures.

Again, sorry for your data loss.

Edited April 22, 2023 by algrove

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[chris7273]

I think that the OP did the same mistake as I did : in play mode, hit menu and select delete all and hit yes … it happens  really too easily when you want to delete only one photo. « Delete all » should not so close and so easy to select… now I know… 

@algrove : no need for a lesson or a lecture about my own stupidity, thank you 🙂

Edited April 22, 2023 by chris7273