When I plug my camera into any of the USB ports on my Windows XP machine, I can see the camera when I look at Windows explorer.
Then when I try to download the pictures, the pc tells me that no camera is detected?
The same thing happens when we plug in an ipod.
What in the world could be wrong with a simple USB port?

Have you tried deleting the USB controller drivers (using Device Manager) and then rebooting and allowing XP to reinstall same?

Louis

Hi and welcome.
Check if your USB ports is functioning properly you can check by going to
GO to Start>RUN> devmgmt.msc
Under USB controllers see if there is any ! ? X
Try plugging it in, in different ports. Leave the camera out for a few days and plug it in again and see if it works. Also try plugging it in, into another computer, see if that works if that works that might be because of your USB ports. If it doesn't work as well it may be because of the camera.
A more appropriate forum would me the External Hardrive forum, but I think people here can help you as well.

Regards,
Extremeboy

Thanks, for taking the time to read my problem.

I've tried reinstalling the drivers, changing the cable and reinstalling the photo software.

Yes, the camera (with the same cable) works fine in my kid's computer. When I turn it on, the camera connection box pops up and asks me what I want to do. It used to do this on my pc but now it won't?

Tried looking in Device Manager but it says that everything is working.

You can try reinstall the usb driver.

Sometimes the Camera Wizard doesn't automatically detect...but you can start it manually.

Start/Control Panel/Scanner & Cameras...click on Add An Imaging Device in the left hand column, follow instructions.

Louis

In Device Manager, try enabling the showing of Hidden Devices (it's in the View menu item)
Then check to see if the camera (and the iPod) is listed as one of the hidden devices. If it is, try right clicking on it to uninstall it. Then plug the camera back in to see if it's detected.

It looks like I might have a problem with the cable. After reinstalling everything a couple of times it finally worked! And then it didn't. When I held the cable against the camera really tight it worked again. I'm guessing it's either the cable or the usb connector on the camera.

Thanks for the help. At least I learned a lot about usb drivers.

No promblem, we are glad that we were able to help you
I think it's the cable that you are having toruble with.
Good luck

Extremeboy