Camera/computer HELP!!!!

[Mrleft8]

For some unknown reason, my computer has suddenly decided that I don't own a camera. I plug the camera into the proper recepticle on the computer.... It used to automatically detect the camera and retrieve the images. Now....Nothing. I open the scanner/camera wizard, and it "searches for device", and then...."Device not found, make sure that it is turned on and connected to the computer"... It is, but no nothing.... Tried Carter's camera too....Same thing... Reloaded the Canon driver, still no go. tried a different port, still nothing...

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

If you have the kind with a memord card; extract the card - plug the card into a reader - then plug the reader into the computer.

Not that it will help, but it will keep you out of harm's way.

[Popeye]

control panel .. scanners and cameras .. reinstall the driver(s)

[Bill R]

Before you try any of that-

Start Menu>Shut Down>Restart

That will solve the majority of Micro$oft problems. (The real solution however is to get a Mac- beat you to it Joe CSOH!)

To quote another DoE in my company:
"A restart a day keeps the IT geeks away"

[elf]

It is easier with a Mac...

[Mrleft8]

Well..... I messed around with about a gazillion different thingies, and now it SEEMS to begrudgingly admit that I have a camera....No idea what I did, but for now it's working...

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

That's called Lulling the user into a false sense of security.

Just wait.

[Clencher]

PISTN is right. Get a card reader - much better than plugging the camera into the computer, and the software that comes with cameras is often not very good by all account.

Plug the card into reader, plug the reader into a usb port and look at your pics in explorer or equivalent, copy the ones you want into a picture folder on your HDD, rename them if you want, and they are available for resizing, cropping, enhancing etc in any picture manipulation programme. Once you've copied them you can delete them off you card so it's empty ready for your next photo session.

Using a card reader you will have the 'raw' data to do what you like with, not messed about with by a clever wizard that thinks it knows what you want to do with the photos.

The above is not my idea but was told to me by a tutor on a digital camera/Photoshop course I did. I have found it works extremely well, but with any luck re-booting your machine will have solved the problem so you are already up and running again!! Good luck.

[Norman Bernstein]

Not all cameras are quite as brain-dead as MrLeft8's... my relatively ancient Sony digital, as well as my newer Panasonic Lumix camera, does it right: the USB device model they present to the computer is that of a memory device, so when you plug either of them in, you get a directory, same as if you had removed the FLASH and plugged it into a card reader.

My friend's Cannon high end digital camera, on the other hand, has a proprietary device model, so when you plug it in to a new computer, you have to download an application... not nearly as simple as the Sony and Panasonc devices.

Regardless, whenever you encounter the problem where you've plugged in a USB device, and you DON'T get the little bubble at the lower right hand corner which recognizes it, chances are a reboot will cure the problem. For reason or reasons unknown, the computer has lost track of what devices it recognizes. I've never seen this happen with a USB device that presents a generic interface model (like a memory card) but I've seen it now and then on proprietary USB models.

In general, I'd agree that getting/using a card reader (or getting a PC like mine that has card reader slots built in) is more convenient than dragging out the USB cord to plug in the camera itself.

[George Roberts]

In general, Windows does a really nice job of recognizing objects plugged into the USB ports.

I would suspect the USB port might be bad.

If the camera gets plugged into a base that is plugged into the computer, the base might be bad.

[Bruce Taylor]

In general, Windows does a really nice job of recognizing objects plugged into the USB ports.


Au contraire.

It's not at all unusual for Windows to have trouble talking to a camera. I've had similar problems myself, with our Canon powershot SD850, and the problem was certainly not caused by USB hardware failure.

A quick Google search turns up hundreds of similar complaints.

As others have said, you can probably fix the problem by rebooting, reinstalling software, drivers, etc.

However, I strongly agree with those who recommend using a card reader. In addition to working more reliably, these things will process your files more quickly and might also enable you to salvage your photos in the even of card failure.

You can pick one up from any electronics shop for twenty bucks or so (maybe less in the U.S.)

[George Roberts]

Bruce Taylor ---

Your camera does not need drivers. But who am I to diagnose problems over the internet.

[Norman Bernstein]

Your camera does not need drivers.

You know this for a fact? I never tried a Canon Powershot 850, but I have plugged in a freinds' Canon high end (D20) digital camera, and it unquestionably needs a driver... I know, because I was forced to download and install it, in order to get her photos onto my laptop. The Sony and Panasonic I have do not.


But who am I to diagnose problems over the internet.

Inquiring minds would like to know.

[Bruce Taylor]

Bruce Taylor ---

Your camera does not need drivers.

A superfluous comment.

My camera (when everything is working correctly) uses XP's Direct Transfer to download files.

However, we don't know what camera or operating system Lefty is using.

[Mrleft8]

Canon EOS Rebel

[Bruce Taylor]

The XP drivers for that camera (so-called "Windows Image Acquisition" drivers) are available at the canon site, along with the other software that originally came with your Rebel.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=OSCompatibilityAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=11154&keycode=windr

But before messing around with the software, you should probably let Carter look at it. You're probably just doing it all wrong. :D

Do get a card reader at the first opportunity. Along with the other advantages, it saves the battery charge on your camera.

[SaltyD from BC]

I've had limited sucess with pounding the camera on the desk. :D