Flash not firing- menu error message

[accessoriesalamode]

I am very new to all this and I just got my first studio setup today. I have two (160 w) softboxes and a 110w fill light, but I don't know how to set it up with my camera. When I go into the menu to enable the off camera flash a message comes up that says either the flash is not compatible or the power isn't on. I have the light plugged in, and I have the hotshoe thing in, so what do I do? Am I just completely clueless!? I know the lights are working because the test button fires the lights, but no matter if I use the cordless set up or plug the lights straight into my camera (with the hotshoe), the same message comes up.

BTW- I have a Canon Rebel Xsi

[PacAce]

The menu options for setting up the flash are for compatible Canon EX flashes only (580EX II and 430EX II). The menu cannot be used for setting up off-camera strobes and flashes. All you really need to set up on the camera to use the strobes is the aperture, shutter speed (at or below max sync speed) and ISO. You also need to set the power level on the stobe itself. To determine what power level to set the flash to, you can either use the trial-n-error method by taking pictures and seeing how they look on the LCD screen and histogram or you can buy yourself a light meter.

[accessoriesalamode]

After searching all over to find out what I need to make my stuff work, I think I need a pc to hotshoe adapter. Does anyone know if this might make it work? Can I use any non-Canon flashes if I don't have one of these?

[Curtis N]

A PC to hotshoe adapter would be the most economical way to trigger your strobes. Assuming the strobes came with PC cords, you just need to plug one in to your adapter and let the other strobes fire with their built-in optical slaves.

The other (much more expensive) possibility is a radio triggering system such as PocketWizards, Elinchrom Skyport or Cybersync. But even if you get a radio system, you should have a hotshoe adapter and PC cord as backup.