Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Sony and Palm have No drivers for 64-bit Vista -- GRRRR!

May 3, 2008 4:59AM PDT

I need help! Are the work-arounds so I can use my devices with my new PC?

One month ago I bought an HP Pavilion Slimline (model s3400z) with an AMD Athlon X2 64-bit processor. Now I discover I can't get drivers for devices like my Sony camcorder (model DCR-HC21) or my Palm Pilot (model z22).

I am nearly incandescent with anger over this. HOW HARD IS IT TO WRITE A DRIVER?!

If you have tips on how I can make this work I would be most grateful.

Secondly, how can I (we?) punish Sony and Palm for such bad customer service? I've already phoned their help lines and complained. I asked for a supervisor in each case. But I know this isn't going to hurt them enough that they will write the drivers I need. The only way I can think of to have an impact is for me and all my friends to call their help lines every day so they have to enter ticket after ticket on the subject. That of course is juvenile but thinking about it helps calm my rage.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Or use INFRARED?
May 3, 2008 6:21AM PDT
- Collapse -
No Firewire port
May 3, 2008 9:41PM PDT

I would use Firewire if I had a Firewire port.

- Collapse -
The camcorder has a firewire port.
May 3, 2008 10:57PM PDT
- Collapse -
$8 bucks, that is cheap!
May 3, 2008 11:13PM PDT

Good point. That seems the cheapest/easiest solution. Thanks for the lead. (I was so mad I didn't even think of this option!)

I'm beginning to think I made a mistake buying the Pavilion Slimline. The box is so small that standard desktop hardware doesn't fit in the slots. (The box itself if too narrow (slim).) I'm hoping that this means laptop hardware fits in the slots--that would make sense anyway.

- Collapse -
Thanks for that.
May 3, 2008 11:59PM PDT

I think you might get this working soon. Here's the geeks IR dongle. http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=120MM&cat=PDA (6 bucks)

BUT I HAVE NOT TRIED THAT ON VISTA. If you want to test it for us, go ahead but if it must work the first time, go with the units people have tried.
Bob

- Collapse -
Same here
Aug 24, 2010 5:25PM PDT

I have same problem my laptop doesn't have a firewire port. OK now I'm going to show how simple I am. Can you install the card on a laptop or does it have to be a desktop? I have a compaq presario Cq60 notebook if that helps. I am buying a DCR TRV30 minidv camcorder that is used and doesnt come with anything except a powercord,charger and battery.Thanks for any help.

- Collapse -
Sadly
Aug 30, 2010 10:36AM PDT

I know that laptop. There is no fix for this one. You'll want to have another machine for the transfer.
Bob