pc not recognizing mini dv camcorder

[jbitakis]

Hi, I have a panasonic pv-gs14 camcorder and I am trying to transfer video via firewire port to my laptop. My laptop is not even recognizing my camcorder and not transfering video (not recognizing dv device). It worked 1 time 2 months ago, but not ever since. I have microsoft xp service pack 2 os. Should I do a system restore to 2 months ago right before it worked. I have tried 3 different firewire cables and so it is not the cables. I also went to another pc and that pc did not recognize the camcorder as well. Does it sound like it is the camcorder or something i need to do to my pc?
James

[Bjs]

Welcome jbitakis

Go into control panel > system > hardware > device manager .
Uninstall devices affected , firewire or usb , and take out the main item of such group .
If camera came with software , uninstall it ... usually takes the device drivers out .
Reboot pc , reload software , reboot .
Try camcorder again .

If that dosent work , it sounds more like the camcorder bit the dust ... are you certain its firewire and not usb ?

You may have not followed the correct procedure to connecting the device , and it shorted when last connected to the pc .

Most manufacturers wont even repair them under warranty citing end user did not exercise caution ... its usually very small print in the middle of the manual .

A quick run down :

1: Connect camera to its own power source / adapter , and power it up .
2: Switch camera to appropriate mode .
3: Connect cable to camera .
4: Connect cable to pc (pc must be off) .
5: Power up pc .

Best to remove all other usb / ieee devices connected .

Go through and import from camera .

Disconnection of camcorder is the reverse of the connection procedure .

===

Basically what happened is the camera's internal circuit , while powered , shorted when connected to the pc while the pc was powered up , and it quit for good .

Pity the did not think to include in the design a reset switch , which would have saved many other's from the problem .

In your case you might try for repair under warranty if its still covered ... if not , it may be cheaper to get another unit .

A kindly reminder to keep track of your posts ... double posting is not a good thing .

[Baldrick]

please don't cross post. continue in https://forum.videohelp.com/topic336799.html