Windows won't recognize my camera disk anymore

[needleartmaven]

Hi everyone. I found this site googling around and you may be just the people I need to help me.

I quit receiving the automatic updates Microsoft was sending out because they're taking up all my memory, let alone disk space. As it is, I've already got to upgrade memory on a 16-month-old computer and have already updated once. I don't know if it's related or not.

Here's the probably. I have a Minolta Dimage E201 camera. The computer used to read the flash card. Now it doesn't. Not since the last patch I received (and i don't remember when that was - about four months ago, I believe. I keep getting a dialogue box that says "Insert disk." Needless to say, though I will anyway, the disk is inserted. Now it used to read the card just fine. I don't know what the problem is.

Can you help? Do you have any clue what I can do or where I can go for help? This is a sudden problem. I have 53 pictures on there that I can't get off, mostly of the walk-through of my new apartment and a few miscellaneous ones. I need those pics so I can print them off!

Thanks.
NeedleArtMaven

[CCT]

First, let me say you are taking risks by stopping the Windows Updates. They provide critical security for your system and Do Not clutter memory and, although certainly using some hard disk space they DO NOT use an undue amount on a modern computer.

Having said that, why haven't you simply used the included USB transfer cable to get the pictures off?

You would be well advised, before starting to apply any computer remedies, to copy your pictures and other files/folders you deem important to cd's.

Finally, after you get all the updates installed, then go to Start, Right Click on My Computer, then click open, and make a list of all drives listed (hard disk drives AND removable storage) - need the letter assigned and type.

:)

[Ferrit]

Well to start windows updates did not cause your card reader to stop reading.
Secondly,having to upgrade the memory isn't dependent on windows updates but more on the small amount bought in the first place and whats been installed to the computer since it was new.
Its also entirely possible that some of the windows updates may in fact help the very problem you are experiencing.
You may need to update the chipset drivers for your particular motherboard
Type and make of computer is some information we need to begin with.

[slgrieb]

Could be a problem with the flash memory itself. Can the camera display the pictures? Does the card work in another computer or a printer that can print directly from your memory card?

[needleartmaven]

First, let me say you are taking risks by stopping the Windows Updates. They provide critical security for your system and Do Not clutter memory and, although certainly using some hard disk space they DO NOT use an undue amount on a modern computer.

Having said that, why haven't you simply used the included USB transfer cable to get the pictures off?

You would be well advised, before starting to apply any computer remedies, to copy your pictures and other files/folders you deem important to cd's.

Finally, after you get all the updates installed, then go to Start, Right Click on My Computer, then click open, and make a list of all drives listed (hard disk drives AND removable storage) - need the letter assigned and type.

:)
First off, that's the only way to hook my camera to the computer is a USB cable. Second, this didn't happen until the last update. And the updates DO take up a lot of my memory. I have to upgrade for a second time and like I said before, the computer is only 16 months old.

I know which letter is assigned to the camera. I only have three drives unless the camera is hooked up, then I have four and the computer puts it on Drive "E".

I repeat, when I put the camera onto the computer, it won't read the disk. Other computers read it fine. Just not mine. Before this latest update I had (which is the only thing I can connect it to because that's what happened before the problem happened) no problems reading the disk. The camera reads the disk just fine. I can scroll through the pictures and do whatever I want. Just not connect it to the computer and copy the pics. I'm not totally computer illiterate. I can change out hardware. I just can't upgrade or change BIOS and things like that. So I'm at a stopping point.

Needle Art Maven

[needleartmaven]

Could be a problem with the flash memory itself. Can the camera display the pictures? Does the card work in another computer or a printer that can print directly from your memory card?

Yes, it works in the camera and other computers just fine.

[CCT]

Have you tried another USB port(s) ?

Have you uninstalled and re-installed any photo software you normally used for camera access (eg: Kodak Easy Share) ?

Do other USB devices work ?

Does the camera show up as 'E' now when connected ?

If the camera shows as 'E', have you tried to manually (Windows Explorer) explore the camera ? (just to check in case autoplay is OFF)