Sequential Numbering - Reset?

[DMCGUIRE]

I posted this query the GRD2 forum, but since the problem relates to a GX100, as well, I thought I'd post it here, also:

I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to reset sequential numbering. I a new GRD2 recently and to test it out I put in a flash card from my old GX100. The last number on the GX100 was R0016524. The pictures made with the GRD2 just continued the sequence, so the first image made with it is R0016525. In terms of shooting, it's not really a problem, but if I ever decide to sell the GRD2, it would be like trying to sell a car with many more miles on the odometer than have actually been driven. I'm not sure why the GRD2 continued the numbering sequence in the first place, but reformatting the card didn't help. So I'd appreciate knowing if it's possible to reset. Thank you in advance for solutions to this puzzle.

[thelps]

Hi, and welcome to the forum,

Page 186 of the GRD II user manual has some info regarding file numbering
Here is snippet from the GRD II manual --

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When you shoot a still image, it is stored on an SD memory card or in the internal memory with a consecutively numbered file name that is automatically assigned.
When you switch SD memory cards, you can set your camera to continue consecutive numbering from the previously loaded card.

Available Settings Description
On (Continue numbering) *Default setting
File names are automatically assigned to still images you take, in the format of “R” followed by seven digits, from R0010001.jpg to R9999999.jpg.
With this setting, file numbering is continued from one card to the next.

Off (Do not continue numbering)
File numbering is assigned, from RIMG0001.jpg to RIMG9999.jpg, for each SD memory card.
When file name RIMG9999 is reached, no more data can be recorded to that card.

To change the file name setting, follow the steps below.
1 Display the setup menu.
2 Press the "down arrow" button to select [Sequential No.] and press the "right arrow" button.
3 Press the "up/down" buttons to select the desired setting.
4 Press the MENU/OK button, or press the "right arrow" button and then the MENU/OK button.
------------------------------------------------------------

Hope this helps?!

[DMCGUIRE]

Tim -
Thanks for the suggestion, I did try switching between available settings and then switching back, but the counter itself, didn't reset and so is still indicating that it's shot thousands of frames more than it did. I imagine if I started with a newly formatted card, I wouldn't be having the problem; the first picture would've been R0010001.jpg and not R0016525.jpg. The camera didn't come with the latest firmware and I've since updated it to version 2.40, so I'm wondering if doing some kind of "hard reset" would also send me back to the previous version of the firmware. If that's the case, resetting the counter might not be worth it, but academically I'd still be curious to know if it's possible.
- Dennis

[thelps]

I don't think resetting will return you to an older firmware, you'd have to install that from a file. Some devices (like Apple's iPhone) won't let you go back - its an interesting question for Ricoh - I suspect they would ask why you'd want to do it.

On another thread here viewtopic.php?f=53&t=3313&start=10
Pavel outlined how to do resets including a "hidden" service one. I would be very wary about doing it as it will clear all custom settings I bet.

For academic purposes here is Pavel's post...
-----------------------------------
There are two types of resets in GRDIII (probably in all Ricohs). First is Restore Defaults option accessible via the camera menu. The camera must be switched in Auto shooting mode (camera symbol) and then you can access the Restore Defaults option at the end of shooting menu. This will reset the camera to the factory defaults.

The second option is available only via special (hidden) menu accessible with "secret" combination of key presses You have to switch the camera to Scene mode and press and hold FN2 + Play button for a second or two. This shows Initialize the setting dialog with Yes/No buttons. Although I did not test this "hard" reset, I suspects it not only sets the camera settings to factory defaults, but also resets the "Error" list and shutter/flash count. So I don't recommend to use such "service" reset.
---------------------------------

[rui fernandes]

Maybe you can try to workaround whit this: substituting the first zero after the R with a number related to the camera model. With the PC you can easily change the file' name, and when inserted in the camera it will recognize the new numbering.

Having several Ricoh cameras, I did it and it stoped the big mess with numbering and superposing files. So I have the cards dedicated to each camera model: R3*******, R4*******, and now R2******* just because the GX wasen't accepted by the camera

Maybe this helps?

[odklizec]

Hi Dennis and welcome on board! I deleted your other post in GRD forum. But I probably should not as it's more GRDII than GX100 problem. I will move this post to GRD forum and leave the track of the post also here.

As for your problem, I too noticed some weird behaviors of Ricoh file numbering. While the last number is apparently stored in camera, the sequence is somehow continued also if you use different cards with different last number, not matching the actual file sequence recorded in camera. And more, from time to time, the file numbering gets mad and starts naming the files with underscore sign instead of "R" letter In any case, the real (correct) number of taken files (actual shutter count) is recorded both in camera internal memory and in exif!

If you want to fix the file numbering without resetting anything, do this...

- At first, check the actual shutter count of your GRDII

- switch the camera to Scene mode and press and hold the Macro and Play button (at least 1-2secs).
- in the appeared menu see the SH row. It's your actual GRDII shutter count. Write this number down.
- Now erase all files from your actual card, except the very last (newest) photo.
- Replace last four digits of the file name (of this last photo) with the number found in SH row, but preserve the number of digits in the file name!

In other words, change this R0016525.jpg to this R0010001.jpg. Your actual shutter count is probably higher, but I guess not over two-three digits number? In case the number of shots is under or equal 99, the file number should be R00100xx.jpg, If it's under or equal 999, then the number should be R0010xxx.jpg and so on.

Unfortuantely, this procedure does not fix the "underscore" problem and the first three digits after R (underscore) may be different in case of higher shutter count. For example, I did the same thing like you, using the SD card from different camera, which shutter count was beyond 8000 files. And my first three digits are 007 (Bond..James Bond). I guess resetting the camera to factory defaults could fix the file numbering as well? But only if you use new or newly formatted card. But I did not try this yet.

[DMCGUIRE]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Pavel, thanks for the welcome. I've been lurking for the past few months, so it's time I joined, especially since I finally had something to say or in this case, ask.

I thought the idea of renaming the last file in the SD card to match the actual shutter count seemed like an elegant solution. But for some reason, I couldn't get it to work. SH: 0000205 led to R0016725.jpg becoming R0010205jpg. After deleting and renaming, I re-inserted the card in the camera and made another exposure but the resulting image was named R0016726.jpg; the shutter count was SH: 0000206.

Maybe, I'm missing something in my approach. For remaming and deleting purposes, I simply inserted the SD card into a slot on my PC and made the changes via the explorer. So, I'm wondering if the GRDII needs to be connected to the PC via the USB cable, if the Ricoh software needs to be running (I've never installed anything off the CD) or if renaming is done, somehow, in the camera directly.

Any further thoughts would be appreciated, but regardless I'm happy to have learned that you can access the actual shutter count by holding down the Macro and Play buttons. Very interesting.

Thanks again.

- Dennis

[odklizec]

Hi Dennis,

Unfortunately, this "renaming" trick does not work in all cases. Yesterday, I was able to do it and today I'm unable to reproduce it So I think your only hope is to reset the camera setting (standard soft reset via the camera menu...not the hard reset via service menu!). I would leave "service reset" as a very last option.

I would try it myself, but I already configured all my custom settings and I'm just short of time (OK...lazy ) to set everything up from scratch after reset. Pity there is not an option to save/load settings to/from card

So, if you want to solve this issue, you may try to reset the camera and format the card. The best would be to use a completely different card, not yet used in this camera. Just to minimize the risk the card's serial number is still saved somewhere in the camera memory.