Problems connecting a camcorder via firewire.

[jammer20002]

I'm having amazing trouble connecting a camcorder via firewire.

I have a PC... Windows XP installed, no service packs, software firewall (Kerio), no antivirus.
I connected the camcorder 2 days ago... and it was working!
BUT... yesterday and today, I've been pulling my hair out... it JUST WON'T see the damn thing.

I tried on another PC. This has all latest service packs, BIOS uptodate, software firewall (Kerio), AVG Antivirus.
Same problem: it won't even see the damn thing.

I thought there might be a problem with the cable or the firewire card.
I tried an external DVD writer... connects fine, always recognised as soon as it's connected.

I have tried the camcorder on 2 other PC's, with 3 different cables.
SAME problem.
(On one of the PC's, I tried turning the firewall and antivirus off, no effect.)

OK... then I tried another camcorder.
Same problem: it won't even see the damn thing!!
(This camcorder also has USB connections. This work fine when the right driver is installed.)

Then I tried ANOTHER camcorder (that connects fine on Macs via firewire).
Same problem.

What am I doing wrong?

I really am going mad over this.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.


Jam

[edDV]

What camcorders are you using?
Are you putting the camera into VCR mode?

Try to update Direct X.

Your experience is unusual.

[jammer20002]

Two of the camcorders are Sony and the other one a professional broadcast quality Canon.

Direct X is updated on all of the PC's mentioned apart from the first PC.
The bizaare thing is, as I said, it worked fine on the first PC.

[edDV]

Can't think of a thing. Slow down and try again.

[jammer20002]

thanks for the replies.
slow down?
i'm going mad!
i've had 2 other people look at the problem.
they're stumped as well.

[State Of Mind]

I have the same problem with mine, I haven't been able to use it on my PC since December 25th. I am just now becoming aware that there is a Panasonic camcorder place nearby so I need to pay them a visit. I've done everything in the book and everything anyone in here would tell me to, seriously. I guess the problem is deep inside the camcorder, something bent, twisted, broken, split, what-have-you...
Time to see what the guys at the shop say...

[jammer20002]

ok... i've had a try on another pc which is working perfectly fine.
and remember: i tried with 3 different camcorders!!!
let me know what panasonic say.
thanks.

[State Of Mind]

You have a Panasonic, too? Well, I guess in the general aspect of camcorders the same info they give me could be applied to your situation as well. Three different camcorders? Wow... Multiple PCs with multiple camcorders, what are the odds. That sounds quite unlikely for all the pins to bent in all of them.
Anyway, if Panasonic gives me any good info, I will post here immediately.

[jammer20002]

all of the camcorders i used were sony.
i tried on a ANOTHER pc... same problem.
the ONLY thing it can be is GOT to be the firewire cable.
but as is said above... i'v already tried several cables!!
i'll at least go to a shop and buy a new one.

[State Of Mind]

I'm taking my camcorder to a Panasonic Customer Service place called A&N Electronics this weekend, so I haven't forgotten about you, jammer.

[INFRATOM]

The way you explain the problem is from camcorder, go to camcorder setup menu make sure firewire setup is ON.

[jammer20002]

erm... hmm... i never knew there was such a function on the camcorder.
i know almost all of the camcorders functions and have never heard of that before.

i'll have another look though.

State Of Mind, i'll keep on crying and pulling my hair out until u come up with an answer.

[jammer20002]

ok... some results!
i've got a cannon mv700 which IS seen by one of my pc's!!

now this has got me a bit worried.
could my problem be with my original pc?
could it be that my original pc is damaging the camcorders in some way??

if u read my original post, u'll see that i've tried several different camcorders, several different firewire cables, several different pc's with different versions of windows operating systems.

is it possible for a firewire pc to damage a camcorder?

that's the ONLY thing i can now think of?

[edDV]

ok... some results!
i've got a cannon mv700 which IS seen by one of my pc's!!

now this has got me a bit worried.
could my problem be with my original pc?
could it be that my original pc is damaging the camcorders in some way??

if u read my original post, u'll see that i've tried several different camcorders, several different firewire cables, several different pc's with different versions of windows operating systems.

is it possible for a firewire pc to damage a camcorder?

that's the ONLY thing i can now think of?

Unlikely.

[jammer20002]

y?
is it not possible for the pc to give a power surge or something?

[Skith]

Have you checked MS for fixes/patches? I seem to recall one for windows xp involving camcorder/firewire problem fixes.

[State Of Mind]

I used that update, didn't fix my issue. I have tried everything. Seriously. From drivers to mobo replacements to different PCs to IRQ conflicts. I have the SP1 FireWire drivers in a 7zip archive when the day comes that I take this camcorder to that store I mentioned.