Deleted the DCIM Folder from Pentax K5iis?! HELP!

moomin · 10-24-2014, 01:31 PM

I recently updated my camera to the newest firmware available but since I wasn't using a card reader I was using a cable to connect to the camera and had to copy and paste the firmware in to the camera.

I was half asleep however and deleted the file stupidly. I never really questioned it either because the camera was working fine and I could view the images I took on the back of the camera today.

I got home after some shooting and tried to get to the files to download and there is nothing!? Obviously because it needs a DCIM folder :/

I'm using a file recovery now but will I have to use that each time I want to get images off my camera now? Is there anyway to get the DCIM folder back on? Can't find anything about it online

Thanks for your help in advance.

**BCtoad** · 10-24-2014, 01:42 PM

A new SD card from any manufacturer doesn't have that file on it your camera I will put that file in there when you take pictures. Try formatting the card in your camera to see if it will come to life again after you do your recovery.

aleonx3 · 10-24-2014, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by moomin

I recently updated my camera to the newest firmware available but since I wasn't using a card reader I was using a cable to connect to the camera and had to copy and paste the firmware in to the camera.

I was half asleep however and deleted the file stupidly. I never really questioned it either because the camera was working fine and I could view the images I took on the back of the camera today.

I got home after some shooting and tried to get to the files to download and there is nothing!? Obviously because it needs a DCIM folder :/

I'm using a file recovery now but will I have to use that each time I want to get images off my camera now? Is there anyway to get the DCIM folder back on? Can't find anything about it online

Thanks for your help in advance.

I don't think that there is anything special about the DCIM folder; if it is not there in the root directory, the camera will create one anyway. BTW, I also don't think that was the proper way (copy and paste) of upgrading the camera firmware.

moomin · 10-24-2014, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by BCtoad

A new SD card from any manufacturer doesn't have that file on it your camera I will put that file in there when you take pictures. Try formatting the card in your camera to see if it will come to life again after you do your recovery.

I was thinking that, i'm sure they come automatically but it put me in to a state of panic

I'll try that thanks!

---------- Post added 10-24-14 at 08:49 PM ----------

Originally posted by aleonx3

I don't think that there is anything special about the DCIM folder; if it is not there in the root directory, the camera will create one anyway. BTW, I also don't think that was the proper way (copy and paste) of upgrading the camera firmware.

Hahaha I know what you mean, but my laptop doesn't have a card reader build in and I don't have a card reader, the other option was to download the file and put the folder in to the camera once its connected to the computer via a cable

It worked!

LensBeginner · 10-24-2014, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by moomin

I never really questioned it either because the camera was working fine and I could view the images I took on the back of the camera today.
I got home after some shooting and tried to get to the files to download and there is nothing!? Obviously because it needs a DCIM folder :/

THEN DON'T FORMAT!!!
First you could try recovering your pictures with a data recovery software...
If you could see them on your camera's LCD, then they are there...

aleonx3 · 10-24-2014, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by moomin

I was thinking that, i'm sure they come automatically but it put me in to a state of panic

I'll try that thanks!

---------- Post added 10-24-14 at 08:49 PM ----------

Hahaha I know what you mean, but my laptop doesn't have a card reader build in and I don't have a card reader, the other option was to download the file and put the folder in to the camera once its connected to the computer via a cable

It worked!

After downloading the firmware BIN file from the web, connect the camera via USB cable... and copy the BIN file in the root directory of the SD card, disconnect the USB cable and then reset the camera to proceed with the firmware upgrade (holding the MENU button while turning on the camera). BTW, I don't think that I would use the USB cable to connect the camera every time I upload the photos to my laptop - getting a SD card reader (supporting USB 3.0 would be ideal) would be more convenient (at least to me anyway).

Steve.Ledger · 10-24-2014, 02:25 PM

Originally posted by aleonx3

BTW, I also don't think that was the proper way (copy and paste) of upgrading the camera firmware.

There's nothing wrong with using the copy'n'paste commands, it simply copies the file from the source to the target like any other file copy method.
Only the 'command' is copied to the clipboard NOT the file.

aleonx3 · 10-24-2014, 02:37 PM

Originally posted by Steve.Ledger

There's nothing wrong with using the copy'n'paste commands, it simply copies the file from the source to the target like any other file copy method.
Only the 'command' is copied to the clipboard NOT the file.

You are right.. when I first read it... I thought the OP copies the firmware (over-write) onto the camera. I realize that it is not possible to see the firmware when connected to the laptop, only the content of the SD card is accessible.

10-24-2014, 01:31 PM	#1
moomin New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 20	Deleted the DCIM Folder from Pentax K5iis?! HELP! I recently updated my camera to the newest firmware available but since I wasn't using a card reader I was using a cable to connect to the camera and had to copy and paste the firmware in to the camera. I was half asleep however and deleted the file stupidly. I never really questioned it either because the camera was working fine and I could view the images I took on the back of the camera today. I got home after some shooting and tried to get to the files to download and there is nothing!? Obviously because it needs a DCIM folder :/ I'm using a file recovery now but will I have to use that each time I want to get images off my camera now? Is there anyway to get the DCIM folder back on? Can't find anything about it online Thanks for your help in advance.

10-24-2014, 01:55 PM	#6
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by moomin I was thinking that, i'm sure they come automatically but it put me in to a state of panic I'll try that thanks! ---------- Post added 10-24-14 at 08:49 PM ---------- Hahaha I know what you mean, but my laptop doesn't have a card reader build in and I don't have a card reader, the other option was to download the file and put the folder in to the camera once its connected to the computer via a cable It worked! After downloading the firmware BIN file from the web, connect the camera via USB cable... and copy the BIN file in the root directory of the SD card, disconnect the USB cable and then reset the camera to proceed with the firmware upgrade (holding the MENU button while turning on the camera). BTW, I don't think that I would use the USB cable to connect the camera every time I upload the photos to my laptop - getting a SD card reader (supporting USB 3.0 would be ideal) would be more convenient (at least to me anyway). Last edited by aleonx3; 10-24-2014 at 02:00 PM.

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10-24-2014, 01:42 PM	#2
BCtoad Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Posts: 135	A new SD card from any manufacturer doesn't have that file on it your camera I will put that file in there when you take pictures. Try formatting the card in your camera to see if it will come to life again after you do your recovery.

10-24-2014, 01:44 PM	#3
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by moomin I recently updated my camera to the newest firmware available but since I wasn't using a card reader I was using a cable to connect to the camera and had to copy and paste the firmware in to the camera. I was half asleep however and deleted the file stupidly. I never really questioned it either because the camera was working fine and I could view the images I took on the back of the camera today. I got home after some shooting and tried to get to the files to download and there is nothing!? Obviously because it needs a DCIM folder :/ I'm using a file recovery now but will I have to use that each time I want to get images off my camera now? Is there anyway to get the DCIM folder back on? Can't find anything about it online Thanks for your help in advance. I don't think that there is anything special about the DCIM folder; if it is not there in the root directory, the camera will create one anyway. BTW, I also don't think that was the proper way (copy and paste) of upgrading the camera firmware.

10-24-2014, 01:48 PM	#4
moomin New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 20 Original Poster	Originally posted by BCtoad A new SD card from any manufacturer doesn't have that file on it your camera I will put that file in there when you take pictures. Try formatting the card in your camera to see if it will come to life again after you do your recovery. I was thinking that, i'm sure they come automatically but it put me in to a state of panic I'll try that thanks! ---------- Post added 10-24-14 at 08:49 PM ---------- Originally posted by aleonx3 I don't think that there is anything special about the DCIM folder; if it is not there in the root directory, the camera will create one anyway. BTW, I also don't think that was the proper way (copy and paste) of upgrading the camera firmware. Hahaha I know what you mean, but my laptop doesn't have a card reader build in and I don't have a card reader, the other option was to download the file and put the folder in to the camera once its connected to the computer via a cable It worked!

10-24-2014, 01:52 PM	#5
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by moomin I never really questioned it either because the camera was working fine and I could view the images I took on the back of the camera today. I got home after some shooting and tried to get to the files to download and there is nothing!? Obviously because it needs a DCIM folder :/ THEN DON'T FORMAT!!! First you could try recovering your pictures with a data recovery software... If you could see them on your camera's LCD, then they are there...

10-24-2014, 02:25 PM	#7
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301	Originally posted by aleonx3 BTW, I also don't think that was the proper way (copy and paste) of upgrading the camera firmware. There's nothing wrong with using the copy'n'paste commands, it simply copies the file from the source to the target like any other file copy method. Only the 'command' is copied to the clipboard NOT the file.

10-24-2014, 02:37 PM	#8
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by Steve.Ledger There's nothing wrong with using the copy'n'paste commands, it simply copies the file from the source to the target like any other file copy method. Only the 'command' is copied to the clipboard NOT the file. You are right.. when I first read it... I thought the OP copies the firmware (over-write) onto the camera. I realize that it is not possible to see the firmware when connected to the laptop, only the content of the SD card is accessible.