My Computer(s) no longer recognise my digital camera

[evadgib]

Hi All,

As explained in the title I am no longer able to "read" the data on my camera unless I remove the SD card & put it in a card reader. Does anyone have any idea what I may have done to have caused the problem & how I can undo it?

Thanks:)

[Tywais]

Have you tried to reformat the card in camera? I know my camera I have to format it in the camera and can not use standard windows format tools as the file structure is specific though still allowing a card reader to read it. In other words, if you format it in windows it will not be usable in the camera. I would recommend doing an in camera reformat if the camera supports it and try again as it may have the file structure that the camera depends on corrupted.

[Chicog]

Why would he reformat the card? He can still read it.

My guess is that the drivers for it have been corrupted or removed.

Do you have the original installation disk?

[Tywais]

Why would he reformat the card? He can still read it.

My guess is that the drivers for it have been corrupted or removed.

Do you have the original installation disk?

An installation disk for the camera OS? He said he can't read it in the camera but he can under windows. There are two directory structures, one the camera uses and one the SD card reader will use. So my advise is still to re-format in the camera.

Also, clean the SD card connector with a soft rubber eraser and then wipe with a piece of paper in case the contacts are marginal.

[Crossy]

USB Cable faulty?

[evadgib]

Thanks for your replies; I suspect Chicog @ post #3 is on the right track (I think I damaged something when trying to overwrite/correct some of the info on the 'data' file built into the card).

I have re formatted and replaced the SD card but cannot format cards in the camera because the computer(s) no longer detects the device. My USB cable works re recharging the battery but i'll check it just in case. The camera seems otherwise ok. I'll test it properly while out & about tomorrow & if it continues to function normally i'll carry on with the card reader.

[Chicog]

Why would he reformat the card? He can still read it.

My guess is that the drivers for it have been corrupted or removed.

Do you have the original installation disk?

An installation disk for the camera OS? He said he can't read it in the camera but he can under windows. There are two directory structures, one the camera uses and one the SD card reader will use. So my advise is still to re-format in the camera.

Also, clean the SD card connector with a soft rubber eraser and then wipe with a piece of paper in case the contacts are marginal.

The original installation disk for the camera drivers.

If he can read the card OK on another device, the first thing I'd look for is the camera drivers.

If the OP would like to post the make and model I'll see if I can find them.

And of course, as Crossy says, check for the obvious and make sure the USB cable and the USB port are working OK.

(Just to clarify, the drivers allow the camera to operate as a standard USB storage device. I've even seen these things infected with viruses which, when plugged into a computer can pass the infection on if Autorun is enabled!).

[evadgib]

I'm pleased to confirm that a replacement USB lead was the answer! I hadn't considered it because the light on the camera 'blinked' when plugged in therefore I assumed the lead was functioning normally. The giveaway (other than Crossys post above) was that it continued to 'blink' long after the camera should have charged so I changed leads; resulting in the computer detected the device immediately.

Thanks all for being so helpful:)

[RichCor]

Thanks for your replies; I suspect Chicog @ post #3 is on the right track (I think I damaged something when trying to overwrite/correct some of the info on the 'data' file built into the card).

I have re formatted and replaced the SD card but cannot format cards in the camera because the computer(s) no longer detects the device. My USB cable works re recharging the battery but i'll check it just in case. The camera seems otherwise ok. I'll test it properly while out & about tomorrow & if it continues to function normally i'll carry on with the card reader.

You should be able to use the camera menu to format the SD card, in camera. Don't use the computer connected to the camera to format the card. Best if you only use in-camera menu to format the card.

Does the computer 'beep' when you insert the usb cable connected to the camera?

Have you tried reinstalling the camera drivers on the computer?

[samuijimmy]

I find these card readers just seem to give up after a while.... either borrow one from a friend and see if that is the problem, or just get a new one... pretty cheap most places... (Tesco etc) .

This same thing happened to me a few weeks ago... new reader solved the problem!

Good luck!

[rakman]

I'm pleased to confirm that a replacement USB lead was the answer! I hadn't considered it because the light on the camera 'blinked' when plugged in therefore I assumed the lead was functioning normally. The giveaway (other than Crossys post above) was that it continued to 'blink' long after the camera should have charged so I changed leads; resulting in the computer detected the device immediately.

Thanks all for being so helpful:)

Just for reference, there are 4 wires in the USB cable + Power, Ground, + signal, - signal.

Obviously, you had the power and ground, but at least one of the signal lines was broken. That's why the camera would charge but not be seen by the computer.

[AloisAmrein]

Delete and reload the camera driver on your computer.

[Chicog]

I find these card readers just seem to give up after a while.... either borrow one from a friend and see if that is the problem, or just get a new one... pretty cheap most places... (Tesco etc) .

Perhaps that's your problem.....

[Chicog]

Delete and reload the camera driver on your computer.

Yes but he said it turned out to be a dodgy USB cable....