My computer can't read my camera
 

I have windows xp and a sony camera. All of a sudden my computer cannot recognize my camera. I have been downloading pics to my site with no problem and I have been using Corel Paintshop X (don't buy it) for cropping and all that. I have checked my ports, camera, run virus checks and I'm at a loss as to what to do next. The problem is with the pc as I tried my friends new camera and cable and it would not recognize that either. It says to see if the camera is turned on or connected properly and then there is another message that tells me that it cannot read the connection.

I uninstalled the Corel and even the Camera and Scanner Wizard will not download the pics. I'm probably going to do more damage cause I don't have a clue what I'm doing. Can anyone help or have any ideas? Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Susan

Maybe there is something wrong with the usb port you are using. Try plugging it into another usb port and see if that helps. :)

so it was working and just stopped working?

any new programs or any changes made?
try the system restore if that might have happened

loose wires or connections?
{ i did manage to break my USB connector once}

Maybe delete the camera from the camera and scanner section in control panel if it is there? and let the system re install it when you plug it back in to the USB?

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the response. Yes, it just stopped working. But I must say it's been acting up for a while and I had to do a system restore to get it to connect for the past several months.... now nada. I'm going to try your suggestions tomorrow when I feel a little more fresh. Hopefully it will work, if not I'll be back.

Thanks, Susan

I'm back. But first I must tell Allen that his bug is great. I'm assuming it's a cockroach.

I have changed ports and they are okay. And there is no longer a camera to uninstall. eek! It's the connection that doesn't work with my camera or my friends. I went to the Sony website and downloaded the driver for my camera model to no avail. But I shouldn't have to do that with windows xp right? As the saying goes, I know just enough to make me dangerous.

Could all the system restores done some damage? Could I have turned something off? The Geek Squad is $150. for a dx. so I'm open to anything.
Thanks for any ideas.

Susan

I Wish I could be happy for you,
 

and that it was a 'simple' moment?
I got a camera this summer, and found that the Mfr's program didn't work, but windows' already in machine program did.. go figger?Thank goodness for DH's! Even HE an EE had to read all FOUR manuals that came with the thing...He has NEVER used manuals before, but then, he wanted to 'play' too?

If only I could remember which buttons to push? Who knows, you mite get a pic of me by accident! - j

Kmeb is the camera/puter expert in my book, I can't figger much more than on/off and maybe a few other basics? PM her later this week as she's having possible big-time dental work tomorrow, unless that California fire stuff gets in the ways... Worth an ask, you know?

Thank you dahlek! I will contact her later. I live in San Pedro (in so cal) and there is grit from the fires all over my kitchen floor. This is very tragic for any one who experiences a loss due to this fire. Weird weather.

Susan

I have a Sony Cybershot and
 

Paint Shop 9. I don't download to it, but to the Windows program already on the computer. It then puts the pictures into My Pictures, and then I pick them out of there. Paint Shop Pro is a little hinky IMO... and I will not upgrade to
what you have. This older Dell, is tricky to download to, but our laptop which is a Dell too, goes very easily..it is one year newer.

Are you saying you don't even get the icon that you are connected?

Have you tried a card reader? I have one of those and it was less than $20 from
Tiger Direct. I have found my batteries in the Sony are very sensitive.
They go dead quickly (rechargeables only allowed in it).
My computer makes a pluke noise when I plug in my camera. Before I even download from it. Do you get that sound effect?

I am not very computer literate...and HAVE had some frustrations with this
desktop Dell. I thought it was ME... :thud:

Curls,
any luck yet?

Picasa2 from google is a nice free photo program - but I don't know if that will help your camera connection problem.
http://picasa.google.com/download/

The problem is Corel Paint Shop Pro X. I have been messing around with this problem and it's kind of working. I had downloaded photo Album (off same disk) and used it for a couple of months, but it is really slow, acts hinky, I was constantly doing a system restore and you get promos from Corel during the entire process. I uninstalled the program and my problems really started.

Corel never really uninstalls. So I reloaded Corel Photo Album and now I get a camera connection but Corel does not work. I am loading my pics via Camera Wizard. I am wondering if it's possible to have photo album and Camera Wizard as default at the same time?

Mrs. D, yes I get a noise, mine is a blonk, when I turn the camera on when it's hooked up to the pc. That's a good thing. I want to download Picasa2 but I'm afraid to down load any new software until I figure out how to get rid of all the Corel products forever with out loosing my connection and check my default for the pics. So if anyone knows how to do this I would appreciate the help. But my advice is to stay away from any Corel products, they are a nightmare.

Thanks, Susan

can you...
 

just download your pics to Windows? And skip Corel?
From what I understand Corel Paint Shop 10 and above are mostly
photo programs. My Paint Shop 9 is mostly for art work, and only does some
photo stuff.

I put my pics elsewhere, and then move them to Corel if I need to alter them,
crop them, lighten/darken etc. Is your system using Corel as a default?

When you plug in your camera, can you then go to Explorer and see it there?
If so I think you are connected. you are just stuck on what software to read it.
Another option is to save our pics to CD right out of the camera, and not put them on your harddrive.

You know when I bought this desktop 2 yrs ago, my son said, 512 RAM was enough--since I don't do games etc. Sunday he was here and piped up...
"I'm going to get you more memory for Xmas and install it for you, Mom!"
I should have bought the the 1024 to begin with. Corel is a system HOG,
so make sure you have enough RAM to run it. My Paint Shop Pro 9 requires 512 to start with! I suspect your X is an even bigger HOG!

That nuisance upgrade window is a pain in the neck. I don't see it every time now...and I think it only shows when you are connected to the internet.

One nice thing that our laptop does, is it will make a screensaver of your pictures in My Pictures. We put all our vacation digital pics in that file and it randomly shuffles them and shows them in screensaver mode. You pick that function from your desktop. It is a really really nice feature--the slideshow.

I wonder if the Corel still has something in your computers registry files and that is causing the troubles.

there are registry cleaners out there - but I suggest finding someone that can help you use one.
one time I changed too many settings and cleaned too much I think LOL.

Or maybe someone here can suggest a simple and foolproof one.

I decided to do a search here's some info to read about registry cleaners-
http://www.informationweek.com/showA...leID=171203805
http://registry-cleaners.6starreviews.com/

Well, something needs to be cleaned. A day after my pics downloaded my printer stopped printing and then in the middle of the day, today, it started to print. Spooked me as I was in another room.

I have a little website and I depend on my computer for everything. I bank, market, you name it. It's the best thing for house bound peeps like me so I'm afraid to make any major changes. But I'll try anything before I pay big bucks for a housecall. My Dell is five years old and I have never had a problem. Jinx? I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks, Susan

Ahhh, at 5 yrs old most computers are getting kind of outdated.:(
Unless it's had some upgrades over the years?
do you know your cpu speed & amount of ram?

our computers are home built, and I usually end up rebuilding them about every 4 yrs- or at least a new mother board and CPU & Ram.
the hard drive might get replaced more often if needed
and I've upgraded to the R/W DVD/CD

- hope fully cleaning out extra stuff that gets accumulated over the years will help keep your system going longer for you.
But it would be good to have someone knowledgeable to help you with the registry cleaning if someone is nearby.

But I did run 2 different cleaners on my system last week.
Just used the settings they came with - didn't change anything- and had no problems.

Our Lexmark
 

went nuts after one year while I was scanning something in.

It turned out it needed a upgrade patch from Lexmark. We emailed them
and they sent out the patch and it fixed it.

Yes, it does sound like you need a new computer. Some days I am just amazed that anything just works...I feel like making a little altar for the computer
god and giving thanks daily.... we are so at his mercy! LOLOLOL

Right now we are struggling with the Lexmark which stopped recognizing the color cartridge..which is empty. We always just by-pass the color and print in BW. But now that prompt suddenly died, and I can't print properly with the black one. Lexmark sent us some suggestions, we took the cartridges out and checked the contacts, they all are clean. So it looks like we have to replace the printer (again). sigh