Problem detecting IEEE 1394 device

[mogoyon]

I use a firewire port to transfer videos (DV) from videocamera to PC. The firewire port is from a PCI board (three ports). The first thing I remember that was strange is that there was still a camera icon as a device on explorer even after turning off the camera. Then I remember events in which I had to turn the camera off and on again for the "capture" program (Ulead) to recognice the device. The last time it was recogniced was yesterday after "tweaking the cable, turning on and off, etc, the program for an instant recogniced the camera but then freezed. Reboted the computer and from then on, it has never again recogniced the camera.

Let me give some details: I have been using the same system for about 3 years, maybe more. That is, the same camera, same motherboard/CPU, same program for the DV transfer, same firewire PCI board, same OS (windows XP SP1).

So I started some troubleshooting and trial and error. First, looked and there was the IEEE 1394 device on device manager (TI OHCT compliant IEEE 1394) Then used the other firewire ports, then used my other digital video cam to verify if the problem is the camera. It did not worked either. Then used other cable and same negative results. Opened the computer case and cleaned some dust from the board. Nothing.

Also used other software to perform the video transfer and the same message was received.

Also, I noticed from the error message that said "No video capture driver or no device connected..." Found a Legacy Video Capture Devise - WDM video for windows... I have not installed nor removed any program lately. Oh, also performed a virus scan and nothing was found.

So my request is some advice! Should I just go and buy a new firewire board? I am concerned to buy one and this not being the problem. What else could be?

[JohnnyMalaria]

Can you connect your two cams together to confirm that the FireWire interfaces on both are functioning?

Do you have any other FireWire devices, such as external hard drives, that you can connect to see if the computer's FireWire interface is working?

If you plug your camcorder (turned off) into the FireWire and then turn the camcorder on, does Windows give the usual ba-dip sound?

Try taking the FireWire card out, reboot to remove the drivers. Then reinstall the card.

[redwudz]

Here's a few articles from the Microsoft site for Firewire problems:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;233307

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314873

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;826377

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;284837

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;252208

Try JohnnyMalaria's suggestions first, but if you have run out of ideas or solutions with your present connection, and you have a motherboard or audio card FireWire connection and you cannot get it to work, I would consider trying a separate PCI FireWire card.

EDIT: Sorry, I see you do have a separate PCI card.

[mogoyon]

Johny:
1) No, I dont have the cable to connect both cameras. Would need one cable with both of those small connectors. But both cameras have been working properly.
2) No other firewire device. If I had another PC, maybe I could try to swap the card to test it.
3) No, when turning on the camera, there was no sound. It used to give me the option as of which software to use for the new device.
4) I will try to remove the card tomorow and follow your last advice.

Will also read those links. Maybe try later for a cheap firewire card and Pray!

I am almost convinced it is the firewire card. Well, I wish it is! So your advice will be helpfull.

[sitlet]

have you tried a new firewire cable? i was having a similar problem with my dv cam a few months ago. i bought a new cable and it solved the problem.

[ofbarea]

Do you have Via chipset mobo?

I have a Via based mobo and it is extremely picky at the firewire cards that work reliable on it. I did tested several cards and only a couple worked fine.

The one I'm currently using is an Adapactec (TI chipset). One Orange Micro card (Nec chipset) also worked, but it was a firewire/ethernet combo card it was redeployed in another old system.

I had problems cards from ATI and Belking (Agere/Lucent chipset).

Generic cards (Via chipset) also failed.

[mogoyon]

As I said, Used two different digital video cameras as firewire devices and two different cables.

Not sure what chipset my Gigabyte mobo is. But it was working withouth problems (for some years) until now.

Well, tried Jhonny's trick and it worked. REmoved the card, reboot, then reinstall. I have a question. Was it supposed to notify me of new hardware? It did not. But it was working.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Well, tried Jhonny's trick and it worked. REmoved the card, reboot, then reinstall. I have a question. Was it supposed to notify me of new hardware? It did not. But it was working.

Great

Windows will detect new hardware during the boot phase and, being a plug-and-play OS, will take care of everything quietly.

It's usually external hardware that will show the new hardware prompts (e.g., connecting a USB drive when logged on).