Need camera/computer help

I know there is a lot of computer/camera expertise here and I need some help. Suddenly I can't download from my Nikon P80 to my computer. I'm using a laptop that is only a couple of weeks old running Windows 7. When I plugged in my camera for a week or so, it was immediately recognized and need no prompts from me to start downloading. It no longer does that, so I tried using the import prompt on Windows Live Photo Gallery. Doesn't recognize the camera and prompts a refresh, still won't see it. I loaded the Nikon program that came with the camera and it doesn't work either. Anyone have any idea what is going on here? I'm about out of ideas.

Thanks for your help.

This sounds like a connection problem. It could be the computer, the cable or the camera. The first step would be to use a different camera (borrow one) and then a different cable. I assume you are using a usb 2.0 connection since that is the standard. Lastly, use a different computer. (Really the order of testing doesn't really matter. The one that doesn't work should tell you where the problem lies. Let us hope it is the cable.)

If it worked before it may be your usb cord, I haven't seen Window's 7 yet but will be soon.

Some good ideas. I called my son this am and I'm going to his house this afternoon to see if the camera works on his computer and if his camera will work on mine. Should narrow down the problem some. At least tell me which device has the problem.

I recently had the same problem with my camera & it was the cable. Have you tried to read the card in a card reader to see if you can get the pictures off of it that way? That is what I did while waiting for the new cable to arrive.

ants

Don't know why I didn't think of that, ants. Not used to having a card reader. The computer immediately picked up the card reader. I'd still like to use a USB cord, thinking maybe it's the cord, although it hasn't been abused and doesn't appear damaged.

reddirttree,

I recently picked up a Canon 40D. Before that I used a Panasonic FZ28. I have I always used a card reader to transfer my pics from the card that was in the camera.. I found the software programs that download the pics to be bothersome to me.

Some folks may like the software downloading the pics, and there's nothing wrong with that - I just prefer the card reader. It opens a file and there are the pics - fast. Then, I get to pick the ones I want to keep or delete.

Just my $.02 worth.

Hack

Edited for spelling errors.

This message was edited Dec 4, 2009 3:37 PM

It's likely the drivers (the software that translates between camera talk and computer talk). Check with Nikon to see if they have new drivers specific to Windows 7. Many drivers for older versions of Windows won't work with 7. It's likely that you can download Win7 drivers from Nikon for free.

Jim

I can't quite get my new photo program to download from my camera the way I'd like, so I often just use Explorer... using the USB cable, the camera is recognized as an "external device" and I can just click on it as if it's a folder I'm exploring to transfer the photos by dragging & dropping them into a file on my computer.

I agree that it sounds like your cable is at fault if your setup was working a week ago with Windows 7