Missing files!

[reklyn]

I have a Canon S95 and used exif to change the model metadata using the following line:
exiftool -ext cr2 -model="Canon PowerShot S90" -canonmodelID="PowerShot S90" J:\ExifTool
I did this successfully with one batch of photos, however I must have typed something wrong the second time. The program said it "ignored" something. I don't remember, and I shut out of the program too fast. Also, my cr2 files disappeared and no new files came up! I tried recovering them, but they didn't appear to be deleted. I ran the script again and the program said 1 directories scanned 50 image files updated, but still no sign of the pictures! A search of my computer yielded no results, but I'm wondering if I'm looking for the wrong file name (ie. file name changed). Please help me find my pictures!

[Phil Harvey]

Did you look on drive J: in the ExifTool directory?

The "Ignored" message may have been from some command-line options that were ignored.  This may happen if you try to extract tag names while writing other tags.  (this could happen if you left a space before one of the "=" signs).

The files must be somewhere because exiftool does not delete files.  In fact, they should be duplicated because with that command line exiftool will copy the files, leaving the originals with a "_original" added to the extension.

Try running "exiftool -ext cr2 -model J:\ExifTool" to see if exiftool can still find the files.

- Phil

[reklyn]

Well when i run that command line everything shows up but when i type dir right after that it shows nothing in the directory.

i actually moved my pictures to a folder in the c:\windows\ directory so i didn't have to change directory when i  opened up command prompt.

could it be missing the files because of protections on the windows directory?  exiftool is finding files but they are not appearing in my folder.

it worked fine when i did the same thing previously.

[Phil Harvey]

Very odd.  I know that it is possible in Windows to have hidden files, and it sounds like this is what is happening here, but I have no idea how this could happen.  On Windows XP you can show hidden files in Windows Explorer by doing this:

1. On the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click Folder Options.

2. Click the View tab.

3. Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders.

I got this information by googling, and haven't tried it myself.  If you are running another version of Windows, the technique may be different.

- Phil

[BogdanH]

...
i actually moved my pictures to a folder in the c:\windows\ directory so i didn't have to change directory when i  opened up command prompt.

That is not a good practice -you should keep your "private" files (photos, music, etc.) outside OS dedicated directories (Windows, Program Files, etc.).

How to use ExifTool, without need to type directory path to processed image files (easy way):
1. Put ExifTool into Windows directory (in this case OS will find/execute ExifTool as being internal command)
2. In menu Start>Accessories find "Command Prompt" and make shortcut to Desktop (so you have Command Prompt icon on Desktop)
   (it might be good idea to rename "Command Prompt" to "ETcmd", or similar).
3. Let's assume your images are inside d:\CameraFoto directory
4. Right-click on ETcmd icon and choose Properties
5. Define your "Start" directory (see attached screenshot) and confirm.

Now, everytime you run ETcmd, it will automatically start in d:\CameraFoto directory. You can change your "working" directory anytime by repeating process 3-5.

..could it be missing the files because of protections on the windows directory?  exiftool is finding files but they are not appearing in my folder.

No, "protection" doesn't make files missing. The problem you have (I assume) is, you don't actually know where your files are. Find the files by using Windows Explorer and apply above described procedure.

Greetings,
Bogdan