any workaround to cameras without drive letters

T wrote:

Part of being a consultant to small business is that
you have to deal with all types. Some are computer savvy
and others are not. I find very few are actually able
to comprehend the file system. This, I presume, is why
Apple leaves off a file manager on their iPad (you can
install one, if you want).

And if my customers knew everything about computers,
then they wouldn't need me. The trick is to get inside
each individuals heads and tailor what you do to their
individual needs.

But there seems to be a workaround. Use the camera-specific software to
retrieve (download) the images from the camera and then use her choice
of viewing sofware to look at those files. The camera-specific sofware
probably isn't much or more difficult for her to learn than her current
choice of viewing software. She just doesn't want to learn another
program.

She wants to continue using deficient software. Well, she'll have to
use workarounds if the software doesn't do what she wants but something
else can be used as a workaround.

"But I don't wanna" is what children say, and lazy adults. If she
demands to be lazy then she suffers the limitation of her old software.
Can't do that with this. She may not like the answer but not liking the
answer doesn't mean there's a better one.

Did you see my other reply noting mklink may provide a workaround that
doesn't require her learning new software (but you'll have to write the
..bat files for her)?

On 08/15/2015 12:27 AM, VanguardLH wrote:
T wrote:

Part of being a consultant to small business is that
you have to deal with all types. Some are computer savvy
and others are not. I find very few are actually able
to comprehend the file system. This, I presume, is why
Apple leaves off a file manager on their iPad (you can
install one, if you want).

And if my customers knew everything about computers,
then they wouldn't need me. The trick is to get inside
each individuals heads and tailor what you do to their
individual needs.

But there seems to be a workaround. Use the camera-specific software to
retrieve (download) the images from the camera and then use her choice
of viewing sofware to look at those files. The camera-specific sofware
probably isn't much or more difficult for her to learn than her current
choice of viewing software. She just doesn't want to learn another
program.

She wants to continue using deficient software. Well, she'll have to
use workarounds if the software doesn't do what she wants but something
else can be used as a workaround.

"But I don't wanna" is what children say, and lazy adults. If she
demands to be lazy then she suffers the limitation of her old software.
Can't do that with this. She may not like the answer but not liking the
answer doesn't mean there's a better one.

Did you see my other reply noting mklink may provide a workaround that
doesn't require her learning new software (but you'll have to write the
.bat files for her)?


Vanguard,

The software is specific to her industry. She has not choice but
to use it.

-T

Stormin' Norman wrote:
On Fri, 14 Aug 2015 15:24:58 -0700, T wrote:

On 08/13/2015 09:55 AM, Stormin' Norman wrote:
On Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:12:36 -0700, T wrote:

On 08/12/2015 11:39 AM, Paul wrote:
T wrote:
On 08/12/2015 10:31 AM, VanguardLH wrote:
T wrote:

Came across a program where it required that digital cameras mounted
as a drive letter. Of course, the camera did not do "Mass Storage
Device" so no drive letter.
There is no DSC (Digital Still Camera) mode the user can select? Just
because there is no mode specifically named "Mass Storage Device" does
not mean the camera does not support that mode. Maybe the customer has
the camera's USB communications set to PC-Cam (PC-Camera, used for video
conferencing between Internet-connected PCs or to record video). DSC
mode is the standard protocol for downloading image files. PC-CAM mode
is the USB protocol when using the camera as a web cam (and may require
software specific to brand and model). DSC mode is the "Mass Storage
Device" mode. PC-CAM is the web cam mode (and may require specific
software to function in videoconferencing mode with the camera).

So you expect detailed responses that focus on how to get the camera to
connect in DSC mode without any details about brand and model of camera.
Uh huh.

Brand?
Model?
What USB modes are available?

Did the customer (this isn't a personal inquiry for yourself) turn off
power, connect the USB cable between camera and computer, and then turn
on the camera?

Are there batteries in the camera? Many do not use the 5VDC available
with the USB connection and instead rely on the batteries in the camera
to power the interface logic.

Instead of using us to make you look good to your customers, have your
customers come here to ask for themselves. Oops, that means they will
know that you don't know.

A card reader was the only work around. Problem: the customer tends
to crack these cards ejecting and inserting them.
Then that user is likely to also damage the USB ports when roughly
inserting the plug into the socket. If they damage card slots, they'll
damage USB ports. Install a USB daughtercard and have them use that
since it can be easily replaced. Replacing the case-mounted USB ports
could mean having to replace the case or salvaging from other cases.

Is there any workaround that will give you a drive letter?
Check what USB connection mode is selected in the camera.

I poured over her manual, but found no such animal. The camera
is a Canon PowerShot A3500 IS.

It constantly turns itself off when plugged into the USB port.

I have her plugging her mobile USB devices into a powered
front panel USB 3 hub. I told her these where her abuse
it ports.
http://www.photographyblog.com/revie...pecifications/


INTERFACE

Computer Hi-Speed USB (MTP, PTP)
dedicated connector (Mini-B compatible)
Other A/V output, dedicated connector (PAL/NTSC)
Computer/Other Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11 b/g/n), (2.4 GHz only)

So it doesn't have USB mass storage. But like my camera,
when you cable up the camera and switch the camera on,
you should see a camera icon in File Explorer, navigate
inside the icon to get your files.

Paul
Hi Paul,

Yes, what you say is correct. The problem is that one
critical program wants to read her camera directly
as a drive letter and can not see the "camera" icon.

It is an oversight in the program. I have asked the
publishers to fix it. The likelihood of them doing so
is very little -- it is not open source.

Copying the data from her camera (icon) to a folder
on her hard drive is also an option. This is something
you or I would not think twice about, but it is
technically over her head.

So she uses pops out her memory card and uses an
external card reader. She has cracked these cards
in handling before (was a disaster for her).

In the mean time, do you know of a workaround that
will give her a drive letter for her camera?

Many thanks,
-T
My understanding of the problem so far is:

1. Camera = Canon PowerShot A3500 IS (very nice, wifi capable camera)

2. Picasa is the image management software being used.
Only for her personal pictures

3. Your customer is a large silverback gorilla that is incapable of treating things with a moderate level of
care.
Older fingers

My questions a

1. Are you saying there is another piece of software which only reads images from a drive letter? If so, what
is that software?
Aurora Win Total


2. Does the gorilla have trouble removing and inserting the card from the camera? From the computer? Both?

Older fingers. She is pretty delicate with things. I think
the main issue it that she pops it in and out several times a day

You didn't answer question #2 above. If she only has an issue inserting and removing the card from the
computer, the easiest and cheapest solution would be a $5 USB card reader where the memory card sticks out
enough so it is very easy to remove.

Something like this: http://amzn.to/1NicMmH

The camera side is a bit more difficult.

I have a USB2 card reader (flash stick format),
and getting a regular SD in and out of that
thing is easy. But the camera, if you're not
careful, the media "springs" out of the slot
on you. Nothing you cannot figure out with
a little practice. It's just a bit unsettling
the first time it happens.

In fact, the whole camera was slippery, and
just about every part of it will slip out
of your fingers with the least provocation.
When working on it, you need to keep
the gear over a table, so stuff doesn't
end up on the floor.

Paul

On 08/15/2015 06:55 AM, Stormin' Norman wrote:
2. Does the gorilla have trouble removing and inserting the card from the camera? From the computer? Both?


Older fingers. She is pretty delicate with things. I think
the main issue it that she pops it in and out several times a day

You didn't answer question #2 above. If she only has an issue inserting and removing the card from the
computer, the easiest and cheapest solution would be a $5 USB card reader where the memory card sticks out
enough so it is very easy to remove.

I though I had. She has older fingers. She had the most trouble
getting the card out of the camera. She uses a USB card adapter from
Radio Shack

T wrote:

VanguardLH wrote:

But there seems to be a workaround. Use the camera-specific software
to retrieve (download) the images from the camera and then use her
choice of viewing sofware to look at those files.

The software is specific to her industry. She has not choice but to
use it.

Yeah, but she may have a choice in using a workaround whether it be
using the camera-specific capture software or the drive emulators
mentioned in other replies in this discussion. I understand you want to
find the easiest-for-her (which means no interaction on her part)
resolution on how to access the pics in the camera.

While adding software (in the background) as a workaround might work,
another consideration is if she has permission to install more software
on the computer she uses. It might not be her computer. If it is a
company's workstation then installing the camera's software or the drive
emulator software may be forbidden. If mklink works (I've never tried
it with a path to a camera since my cameras always generate a drive when
plugged in) then the software is already in Windows for the workaround.

You sure she can't see the camera device in Windows Explorer? Does the
camera device NOT show up in Device Management (devmgmt.msc)?

While she may be stuck with using that deficient industry-specific
software, is she really stuck with using that specific camera? If the
company gave her that camera to use but it won't work with the
company-demanded software then they have to give her a different camera.
If it's her company then she bought the wrong camera to use with that
software. That the current camera has a lot of features she likes
doesn't obviate she didn't match the camera to the required software.

The Canon PowerShot A3500 IS is not that fancy a digital camera. If 16
MP is another requirement by this customer, there are other 16 MP
digital cameras that are cheaper (to minimize the cost of her mistake
and fixing it) and which create drives when plugged in. She will have
spent far more on your tech services than getting a better (for her
software) digital camera.

On 08/15/2015 02:55 PM, VanguardLH wrote:
T wrote:

VanguardLH wrote:

But there seems to be a workaround. Use the camera-specific software
to retrieve (download) the images from the camera and then use her
choice of viewing sofware to look at those files.

The software is specific to her industry. She has not choice but to
use it.

Yeah, but she may have a choice in using a workaround whether it be
using the camera-specific capture software or the drive emulators
mentioned in other replies in this discussion. I understand you want to
find the easiest-for-her (which means no interaction on her part)
resolution on how to access the pics in the camera.

While adding software (in the background) as a workaround might work,
another consideration is if she has permission to install more software
on the computer she uses. It might not be her computer. If it is a
company's workstation then installing the camera's software or the drive
emulator software may be forbidden. If mklink works (I've never tried
it with a path to a camera since my cameras always generate a drive when
plugged in) then the software is already in Windows for the workaround.

You sure she can't see the camera device in Windows Explorer? Does the
camera device NOT show up in Device Management (devmgmt.msc)?

Hi Vanguard,

Yes is works in Explorer. Nothing wrong with the camera or the OS.


While she may be stuck with using that deficient industry-specific
software, is she really stuck with using that specific camera?

Yes, she can barely afford me. The recession is killing her industry.

If the
company gave her that camera to use but it won't work with the
company-demanded software then they have to give her a different camera.
If it's her company then she bought the wrong camera to use with that
software. That the current camera has a lot of features she likes
doesn't obviate she didn't match the camera to the required software.

She is self employed.

The Canon PowerShot A3500 IS is not that fancy a digital camera. If 16
MP is another requirement by this customer, there are other 16 MP
digital cameras that are cheaper (to minimize the cost of her mistake
and fixing it) and which create drives when plugged in. She will have
spent far more on your tech services than getting a better (for her
software) digital camera.


I told her to get a cheap one on purpose. I thought she did.
Maybe it was on a clearance sale.

Her skills are what they are. She and her family have been my
customer for around 17 to 18 years. They have been really good
to me.

I am going to have her get PTP Drive, once I am sure it is
virus free.

Thank you for all the help and advice! :-)

-T

On 08/16/2015 07:21 AM, Stormin' Norman wrote:
On Sat, 15 Aug 2015 14:53:57 -0700, T wrote:

On 08/15/2015 06:55 AM, Stormin' Norman wrote:
2. Does the gorilla have trouble removing and inserting the card from the camera? From the computer? Both?


Older fingers. She is pretty delicate with things. I think
the main issue it that she pops it in and out several times a day

You didn't answer question #2 above. If she only has an issue inserting and removing the card from the
computer, the easiest and cheapest solution would be a $5 USB card reader where the memory card sticks out
enough so it is very easy to remove.

I though I had. She has older fingers. She had the most trouble
getting the card out of the camera. She uses a USB card adapter from
Radio Shack

Have you satisfied your requirement yet or are you still on the hunt?


Hunt for something better than a card reader. She has cracked
memory cards getting them out of her camera before. PTP Drive
seems to fit the bill.