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Thread ID: 96108 2008-12-29 10:38:00 PC won't recognise my camcorder Pensioner (14457) Press F1
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733376 2008-12-29 10:38:00 Advice desperately needed! I have a Panasonic SDR-H40 video camera which my pc will not recognise when connected after I had the pc motherboard repaired after a lightening storm last September.
The pc shop gurus uninstalled the camera software at the time of repair but I am unable to reinstall it, so my camera is virtually useless now.
Panasonic and Microsoft mentioned Microsoft directX, Firewire driver 1394 and video capture driver in their replies to this problem, which I don't know how to find/install. I'm a novice at computers and still can't seem to fix this connection.
My system is Windows XP Home with SP 3 and the USB cables are all ok after checking the software programme and camera on a friend's pc.
Is there somewhere I can have a 'ping' type analysis of my pc performed that would tell me what is missing?
Unfortunately I do not live in my native country and do not speak the local language well enough to feel confident about returning to the original computer (repair) shop even though my system is not performing at all with this problem.
Any advice - in simple pc language if possible - very gratefully received. Thank you.
Pensioner (14457)
733377 2008-12-29 10:52:00 Look in device manager if you have XP (windows key+pause) / hardware / device manager. Does 1394 network adapter appear under network adapters??

Double click on it. Does it say its working properly. Or does it have a ! or X on it?

Was the firewire onboard (on the motherboard), or did you use a PCI card for firewire??

If it was onboard, it was probably fried

If it wasnt replaced
Speedy Gonzales (78)
733378 2008-12-31 09:36:00 Thank you Speedy.
I don't have 1394 listed under network adaptors, does this mean I have to go back to the guru and have one put in?
As for the firewire, I'm afraid I have no idea if it was on a card or otherwise, I just know that everything worked before the lightening strike.
Pensioner (14457)
733379 2008-12-31 10:33:00 You have a prob then if theres no 1394 entry in device manager, its either dead, or you dont have firewire onboard Speedy Gonzales (78)
733380 2008-12-31 19:54:00 From what I see, it is a HDD camcorder and should just show up as a drive in Windows. Transfer video via USB cable, not 1394. Sounds like the editing software is missing?

reviews.cnet.com

What do you reckon Speedy?

Ken
kenj (9738)
733381 2008-12-31 20:53:00 Hm you could be right Ken. I see nothing about it having firewire

If it is USB its not plugged into a USB hub is it??

As not all USB devices will work in a hub
Speedy Gonzales (78)
733382 2008-12-31 21:49:00 Sometimes front of case USB's don't give enough power either, I have found this to be the case. My SATA/IDE adapter cable for plugging in HDD needs to be plugged into a rear USB port to work gary67 (56)
733383 2009-01-01 18:53:00 What have you found Pensioner? Have you any editing/capture software on your computer. If you have the original disk you could try doing a reinstall or repair (if the option is offered) Any required drivers will be on this disk and will automatically load as well.

Another thought... you could start up Windows Movie Maker and connect your camcorder to a USB plug and see if anything happens. The drivers should be in Windows as it is just another drive - from what I can see.

Ken
kenj (9738)
733384 2009-01-02 15:01:00 Thank you all for trying to help.
I was given the firewire info from MS and Panasonic when I asked them for help. As the camera, software and pc all worked perfectly before the power surge on the supplied USB, I'm not sure 1394 is the answer.
I've tried using Nero, Winows MMaker, InterWin DVD Maker and a trial version of Coral and they all come up with "video capture device is not detected".
Yesterday I spent hours on my friend's pc (same OS). Everything worked perfectly and I tried to find out the difference between that pc and mine (Device Manager etc.) but nothing - to my untrained eye - seemed appropriate.
The supplied CD will not be installed although the system does try but the Wizard comes up with various messages regarding missing service packs - no mention of who's or what - or non compatible. I've done the compatability change back to Windows 2000, NT etc. but again no change. The software will not load - but it did on my friend's pc so the cd can't be in error.
Pensioner (14457)
733385 2009-01-02 19:00:00 Depending on WHAT the shop actually fixed. I would either take it back and get it fixed properly

Or replace the mobo altogether
Speedy Gonzales (78)
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