Big problems with RAW files.

Well, believe it or not, I've actually only just shot my first RAW pictures today. However, I tried putting my 4 gig Ultra II CF into my desktop's card reader...the adobe quick downloader showed the pictures, then i chose which folder to put them in, and clicked "get photos". Then the organizer loads, and a box comes up with each and every RAW file, saying "this file is damaged or is in a format that cannot be included in the organizer." I've tried opening the shots in each and every program on my computer, I'd guess. Nothing works. Can't even see them in windows explorer. How am I supposed to see my pictures?! btw, I also tried plugging the camera itself into my computer...still didn't work.

I don't think you have a problem. You need a program that can properly read/convert raw files. I suggest getting PSE 3 then downloading the updated adobe camera raw 3.1 that's an update to read your type of raw files.

Raw files will not transfer through plugging in a camera to your computer, must be done through card reader. I'd make sure your raw files are large - 6-10MB each on your computer before you have the camera delete what's on the card.

Raw is meant for more extensive post processing of your images, if that's not what you want then maybe you should stick with jpg.

Oh, I plan on doing quite a bit with them. Also, I have Photoshop Elements 3.0 already. that's the one that wouldn't open them. I thought about getting the adobe camera raw 3.1 already, but someone told me that it only works with CS2. Maybe they were wrong. I'll try it. Yeah, the pictures are all averaging around 8MB, too. thanks for the info.

No, it works with any Adobe photo processing software. I dropped 3.1 into my PSE 3 and it worked without any problems.

No, you don't have to have a card reader - you can use Zoombrowser EX (provided with your camera) to pull the RAW files onto your computer directly from your camera, if you so choose.

After that, you have several choices to convert from RAW:
1. Adobe Camera RAW (if your Adobe program supports it)
2. Adobe Digital Negative (if your Adobe program supports it)
3. Capture 1 (free for 30 days, I believe)
4. Raw Shooter Essentials (free)