A60 unable to transfer pics via USB cable

[GlennS]

Hi all, first time here...

I have the Powershot A60, and it has served me well for over a year now. I've had no problems with it until recently. The last time I connected it to my computer it would not recognize the camera any longer via USB. I tried it on two other computers with the same result. All the PC's are running Windows XP. I took the camera to a friends house and put my CF card into his card reader, and was able to transfer all my images to his PC and he burned them to a CD for me. So, I thought I have a bad USB cable. I bought a new one, and my PC's still would not recognize the camera. I took both USB cables I have and tried them in another camera, and they work fine! So, it must be the connector underneath the rubber flap on the outside of my camera that has somehow messed up. I realize it's small, but I cannot see anything physically wrong with it e.g. bent/crushed pins. It is no longer under warranty, but am wondering if anyone here has had a similar experience, and might have had it repaired? I would gladly have it repaired if it does not cost as much as the camera does. I've searched google for canon digital camera repair/parts, and no luck. Can anyone by chance point me in the right direction? If I cannot get it repaired for a reasonable rate, I guess I'll get a CF reader. I'd still prefer to have the connector repaired/replaced... Any thoughts?

Glenn

[a75]

Try hooking it up to Win98 machine. If you could report back please do so. I have the same trouble with xp and a75.

[GlennS]

Unfortunately, I do not have access to any Win98 machines. I tried taking my camera apart, but after 6 screws, I still couldn't get it apart fully to look at where the cable plugs into the camera body. Oh well, looks like I'll have to buy a CF reader. I guess I stumped everyone!

[a75]

Does your camera appear in the win explorer window ( under my computer)
and if it does what does it say?

A75.

[JohnnyE]

There's probably nothing wrong with your USB cable or the camera. It's probably something simple like a device or software conflict. Common devices that conflict are a scanner or printer/scanner, a webcam, or another digital camera (disconnect them and restart your computer, then try downloading again). Also, a print manager application may cause a conflict. If you have an icon of a printer on your task bar (next to the system clock), disable it. There are a few other things, but try these first. If they don't work, we can try something else.

[GlennS]

a75,

the camera does not appear in windows explorer at all, not matter how long I leave it connected.

JohnnyE,

I have no other camera/scanner/printer installed on my system. I purchased a CF card reader with USB cable. I plug my CF card into the reader, connect the USB cable to all 6 of my USB ports, and everyone of them instantly recognizes my camera (CF card). I also tried using my prior cables with a friends camera on all 6 of my USB ports, and it was instantly recognized each time. So, the CF card is good, all my USB cables are good, all my USB ports are good. Ergo, the connector on my camera (or it's internal workings) is not working correctly. I'm curious as to how much it would cost to have it repaired...

[JohnnyE]

Probably around US$100 if it's out of warranty.

[mdm]

Just use the card reader for transfer of pictures.

[GlennS]

Yes, that's what I will be using from now on. It doesn't seem to make sense financially to have it repaired for that price. Fortunately, the CF reader is fairly small, and fits into my camera case well. It's unfortunate that the connector died only after 2 years. I've only used the camera to take roughly 1200 pictures over two years. Thank goodness that it was working while I was in Russia, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Korea, Thailand, and Hawaii!