Digital Camera wont connect

Contacts on SD and CF cards are rated for a very high number of insertions,
as it is envisaged by the memory-makers that they will be changed frequently.
There is a slight danger with CF of bending the pins if you do it roughly,
but you'd have to be Ronon Dex to manage that.

I never install digicam services. Why, after all, would I want to have to
learn to use a special interface to transfer files to the computer when I can
do this from the card with explorer, xcopy or any familiar method?

"Jim" wrote:

On Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:12:28 -0400, John Wolf
wrote:

Its been a while since I used a XP PC but my folks Kodak M340 wont connect
to the PC. A error message pops up saying "cant get device information." I
tried uninstalling the Kodak software and using the Windows XP camera
transfer app and then no error message pops up. I then re-installed
EasyShare 8.x and the error message popped up again. I thought maybe there
is a issue with the camera, however the camera works like a charm on my Mac
OSX Tiger based ibook G4. Other digital cameras connect just fine to the
Windows XP PC so not sure what the issue is. Perhaps Kodak designed the
camera so that it would require the use of their software in order to
download pictures, but if that was the case wonder why it worked on my Mac
using the Mac's default image and transfer app.

Thanks for the help.


John

PS-As a temporary solution we could buy a USB SD card reader, but ideally
this is not a good solution but as a backup.

Recently there was another message along this line , and it was some
trouble with EasyShare ; can`t remember the details .

This person had a similar problem:
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=17179

The cause was running the Easyshare software using a limited (or "User")
account.

Could this be the problem in your case?

Lance
*****

John Wolf wrote the following on 9/19/2009 08:12 AM:
Its been a while since I used a XP PC but my folks Kodak M340 wont connect
to the PC. A error message pops up saying "cant get device information." I
tried uninstalling the Kodak software and using the Windows XP camera
transfer app and then no error message pops up. I then re-installed
EasyShare 8.x and the error message popped up again. I thought maybe there
is a issue with the camera, however the camera works like a charm on my Mac
OSX Tiger based ibook G4. Other digital cameras connect just fine to the
Windows XP PC so not sure what the issue is. Perhaps Kodak designed the
camera so that it would require the use of their software in order to
download pictures, but if that was the case wonder why it worked on my Mac
using the Mac's default image and transfer app.

Thanks for the help.


John

PS-As a temporary solution we could buy a USB SD card reader, but ideally
this is not a good solution but as a backup.

This person had a similar problem:
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=17179

The cause was running the Easyshare software using a limited (or "User")
account.

Could this be the problem in your case?

Lance
*****

John Wolf wrote the following on 9/19/2009 08:12 AM:
Its been a while since I used a XP PC but my folks Kodak M340 wont connect
to the PC. A error message pops up saying "cant get device information." I
tried uninstalling the Kodak software and using the Windows XP camera
transfer app and then no error message pops up. I then re-installed
EasyShare 8.x and the error message popped up again. I thought maybe there
is a issue with the camera, however the camera works like a charm on my Mac
OSX Tiger based ibook G4. Other digital cameras connect just fine to the
Windows XP PC so not sure what the issue is. Perhaps Kodak designed the
camera so that it would require the use of their software in order to
download pictures, but if that was the case wonder why it worked on my Mac
using the Mac's default image and transfer app.

Thanks for the help.


John

PS-As a temporary solution we could buy a USB SD card reader, but ideally
this is not a good solution but as a backup.

use a multi / generic card
reader and simply read/write
to the flash card

instead of plugging the
physical camera to the
computer.



--
db·´¯`·...¸)))º
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com

"share the nirvana mann" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



"John Wolf" wrote in message
...
Its been a while since I used a XP PC but my folks Kodak M340 wont connect
to the PC. A error message pops up saying "cant get device information." I
tried uninstalling the Kodak software and using the Windows XP camera
transfer app and then no error message pops up. I then re-installed
EasyShare 8.x and the error message popped up again. I thought maybe there
is a issue with the camera, however the camera works like a charm on my
Mac
OSX Tiger based ibook G4. Other digital cameras connect just fine to the
Windows XP PC so not sure what the issue is. Perhaps Kodak designed the
camera so that it would require the use of their software in order to
download pictures, but if that was the case wonder why it worked on my Mac
using the Mac's default image and transfer app.

Thanks for the help.


John

PS-As a temporary solution we could buy a USB SD card reader, but ideally
this is not a good solution but as a backup.

In ,
db typed on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 12:38:17 -0500:
use a multi / generic card
reader and simply read/write
to the flash card

instead of plugging the
physical camera to the
computer.

I do both and besides of the latter sometimes needing some USB driver
from the manufacture. Both methods are just as good as the other in most
cases.

--
Bill
Windows 2000 SP4 (5.00.2195)
Asus EEE PC 701G4 ~ 2GB RAM ~ 16GB-SDHC

db wrote:
use a multi / generic card
reader and simply read/write
to the flash card

instead of plugging the
physical camera to the
computer.




"PS-As a temporary solution we could buy a USB SD card reader, but
ideally this is not a good solution but as a backup."

This is what this guy mentioned about a SD card reader; as you can see;
he is NOT pleased with this solution!

The guy asked why his computer doesn't recognize the camera!

perhaps not.

but I was merely providing a
suggestion based on my
personal experience.

eventually it gets tiresome
with wrestling with devices
and their specialty drivers

especially every time micro
soft provides some kind of
update for who know what
and why.

so the sd card method is an
ideal solution that is cost
effective and reliable.

but ultimately, the o.p.
will have to develop a
headache free solution.


--

db·´¯`·...¸)))º
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- Microsoft Partner
- @hotmail.com
~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen




"Theslaz" wrote in message news:Wivtm.44569$Db2.341@edtnps83...
db wrote:
use a multi / generic card
reader and simply read/write
to the flash card

instead of plugging the
physical camera to the
computer.




"PS-As a temporary solution we could buy a USB SD card reader, but ideally this is not a good solution but as a backup."

This is what this guy mentioned about a SD card reader; as you can see; he is NOT pleased with this solution!

The guy asked why his computer doesn't recognize the camera!

In news:Wivtm.44569$Db2.341@edtnps83,
Theslaz typed on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:23:34 GMT:
db wrote:
use a multi / generic card
reader and simply read/write
to the flash card

instead of plugging the
physical camera to the
computer.

"PS-As a temporary solution we could buy a USB SD card reader, but
ideally this is not a good solution but as a backup."

This is what this guy mentioned about a SD card reader; as you can
see; he is NOT pleased with this solution!

The guy asked why his computer doesn't recognize the camera!

Some cameras require a special USB drivers from the manufacture before
the computer can see the camera. My Fuji FinePix 2650 digital camera is
like that.

--
Bill
Windows 2000 SP4 (5.00.2195)
Asus EEE PC 701G4 ~ 2GB RAM ~ 16GB-SDHC

David H. Lipman wrote:

Actually, using a USB Memory Card reader is the *better* solution than connecting the
camera to the PC.

The ONLY reason I can see connecting a PC to a camera is if it is a notebook, used in the
field, and you are using software to directly control a camera mounted on a tripod.


I've got an older Canon camera with a memory card that my computer
doesn't seem to like. If I put the card into the computer before I turn
it on, the computer hangs during BIOS boot. If I put the card in after I
turn the computer on the light on the card reader goes on but the
computer doesn't recognize what's in the slot. However, if I leave the
card in the camera and hook up the camera to a USB port everything works
fine.

I'm not asking for troubleshooting advice, since I've got an easy
work-around, but this is certainly another reason for connecting a PC to
a camera.

Bill

I guess somebody created a primary bootable partition on your card and there
is something wrong on it. Although you're not asking for an advice, I'd
format this card with a free HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool to get it
fixed. But it's ^2u.

Just D.

"Bill Sharpe" wrote in message
...
David H. Lipman wrote:

Actually, using a USB Memory Card reader is the *better* solution than
connecting the camera to the PC.

The ONLY reason I can see connecting a PC to a camera is if it is a
notebook, used in the field, and you are using software to directly
control a camera mounted on a tripod.


I've got an older Canon camera with a memory card that my computer doesn't
seem to like. If I put the card into the computer before I turn it on, the
computer hangs during BIOS boot. If I put the card in after I turn the
computer on the light on the card reader goes on but the computer doesn't
recognize what's in the slot. However, if I leave the card in the camera
and hook up the camera to a USB port everything works fine.

I'm not asking for troubleshooting advice, since I've got an easy
work-around, but this is certainly another reason for connecting a PC to a
camera.

Bill

In ,
Just D. typed on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:51:21 -0700:
I guess somebody created a primary bootable partition on your card
and there is something wrong on it. Although you're not asking for an
advice, I'd format this card with a free HP USB Disk Storage Format
Tool to get it fixed. But it's ^2u.

Just D.

Well I thought the very same thing. Although it is usually best to allow
the camera to do the formatting. As I have heard some cameras (rare)
that something else formatting might make the card unusable by the
camera. Just passing on what I have heard.

"Bill Sharpe" wrote in message
...
David H. Lipman wrote:

Actually, using a USB Memory Card reader is the *better* solution
than connecting the camera to the PC.

The ONLY reason I can see connecting a PC to a camera is if it is a
notebook, used in the field, and you are using software to directly
control a camera mounted on a tripod.


I've got an older Canon camera with a memory card that my computer
doesn't seem to like. If I put the card into the computer before I
turn it on, the computer hangs during BIOS boot. If I put the card
in after I turn the computer on the light on the card reader goes on
but the computer doesn't recognize what's in the slot. However, if I
leave the card in the camera and hook up the camera to a USB port
everything works fine. I'm not asking for troubleshooting advice,
since I've got an easy
work-around, but this is certainly another reason for connecting a
PC to a camera.

Bill

--
Bill
Asus EEE PC 702G8 ~ 2GB RAM ~ 16GB-SDHC
Windows XP SP2

Well, this is true, but in many cases the camera reformats the logical drive
keeping the partition layout - same results. It will probably work in camera
but can bring problems for the cases like the described one.

Just D.

"BillW50" wrote in message
...
In ,
Just D. typed on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:51:21 -0700:
I guess somebody created a primary bootable partition on your card
and there is something wrong on it. Although you're not asking for an
advice, I'd format this card with a free HP USB Disk Storage Format
Tool to get it fixed. But it's ^2u.

Just D.

Well I thought the very same thing. Although it is usually best to allow
the camera to do the formatting. As I have heard some cameras (rare) that
something else formatting might make the card unusable by the camera. Just
passing on what I have heard.

BillW50 wrote:

In ,
Ken Blake, MVP typed on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 10:36:11 -0700:

On Sat, 19 Sep 2009 13:06:15 -0400, "Don Phillipson"
wrote:


"Paul Randall" wrote in message
. ..


Plugging stuff into a camera is one of the major causes of camera
damage. Compact Flash cards have been known to go into some
expensive Nikon cameras slightly askew, causing the grounding pin
to be mashed over inside the camera. Not a fun thing to have
fixed. The USB connection may be more fool proof.

This seems excellent advice for people who are genuinely
"all fingers and thumbs." But most people are not. If someone
has been used to taking out the image cartridge to load contents
onto a PC five or 10 times a year (thus 10 or 20 reinsertions)
without damage, this suggests that up to age 70 the user
will be able to manage this again.

I'm over 70 (almost 72) and do it more that 10 times a year. I've
never had a problem.


And you own one of those slightly skewed expensive Nikon cameras?


You would think all that extra money you paid would get competent
engineering!

Just D. wrote:
I guess somebody created a primary bootable partition on your card and there
is something wrong on it. Although you're not asking for an advice, I'd
format this card with a free HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool to get it
fixed. But it's ^2u.

Just D.

As I said, it's not really a problem and I'd hate to lose the card's
capability in the camera. But thanks for the suggestion.

Bill

This has been a long chain--

There is a faint possibility that the camera is in the "wrong" mode.
Several of my cameras have two or more operational modes.
One is the mode that allows "native" windows to see the camera's storage
cards, and will "mount" it and use it as if it were a disk drive with
folders.
The next mode is a "camera control" mode that allows P/C software to operate
the camera, usually with some limitations, compared to normal operation.
The third mode is a factory or repair center mode that allows such things as
reflashing the firmware, or making serious non user level adjustments (using
what is usually considered to be proprietary software)

Some cameras expose a user selection to allow or disallow a P/C to connect
to the storage card via the camera, others don't, and always allow. The
ability and the actions needed to change modes may not be in the user
manual, or may be in an obscure corner of the camera's menus and choices.

The symptom is also one that occurs if the camera is connected before the
camera drivers are installed. My past experience with Kodak software was
that when this occurred, the user had the task of manually cleaning up the
Kodak related registry entires before a reinstall. To add insult to injury,
some camera driver packages install an inf file, then abort, telling the
user to plug in the camera and start the install process again.



"BillW50" wrote in message
...
In news:Wivtm.44569$Db2.341@edtnps83,
Theslaz typed on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:23:34 GMT:
db wrote:
use a multi / generic card
reader and simply read/write
to the flash card

instead of plugging the
physical camera to the
computer.

"PS-As a temporary solution we could buy a USB SD card reader, but
ideally this is not a good solution but as a backup."

This is what this guy mentioned about a SD card reader; as you can
see; he is NOT pleased with this solution!

The guy asked why his computer doesn't recognize the camera!

Some cameras require a special USB drivers from the manufacture before
the computer can see the camera. My Fuji FinePix 2650 digital camera is
like that.

--
Bill
Windows 2000 SP4 (5.00.2195)
Asus EEE PC 701G4 ~ 2GB RAM ~ 16GB-SDHC