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General discussion

USB HOOKUP FOR PENTAX *ist DS

May 3, 2005 11:22PM PDT

System: Dell Dem 4100, PIII, 866mhz, Win ME, USB 1.1

I just got a Pentax *ist DS. I installed the pentax browser and lab software. I followed the instr. for the camera transfer settings but no luck. With the camera hooked up and turned on I do not see any additional drives in my computer. I went to the control panel and used ADD HARDWARE, it recognized it as an *ist DS camera but said that there was an error - "driver needs updating". I tried the update button but it did not find anything. I went to Dell for driver updates but I do not recoginize what to get- would it be a USB driver or what? Pentax says drivers are only needed for Win 98.
My USB seems to be OK since my HP scanner uses it without a problem. I had a game pad /controller plugged in to that USB port previously and it seemed to work.
I have emailed Pentax cust. support but have not had a reply yet.
Any Ideas ?

Discussion is locked

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USB hookup
May 4, 2005 12:54AM PDT

You might try unplugging the other USB devices.
If you have several devices that are drawing power from the USB, it can cause a problem.

If you are using a USB hub, it should be a powered hub.

Here is a link to a site that has a USB troubleshooter:

http://www.usbman.com/

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The unloved Windows ME.
May 4, 2005 2:27AM PDT

Try the 98 drivers if it fails, but I see a disturbing note at dpreview that read " USB 2.0 Hi-Speed ". Could it be not USB 1.1 compatible?

A few things to clear up:

- The update driver is little more than a demo. Do not put much faith in that. Update drivers the old fashioned way.

- http://www.usbman.com notes MANY USB issues. It does NOT matter some other USB device works. That derails many from finding their cure.

- A card reader is not a bad thing.

With that out of the way, unplug the camera, uninstall its software, boot safe mode and remove the Pentax driver if you find it in Device Manager.

Boot back up and follow the instructions one more time. Most of the time this issue occurs because:

a. The camera was plugged in before the camera software was installed (read the manual.)
b. The drivers are not for this OS (read the manual.)
c. It must state Windows ME (read the manuals/stickers/etc.)
d. The USB port is broken. Try another port.
e. The supplied software was not tested on Windows ME. Try a new download from Pentax.

In closing if it doesn't work and they don't offer support, pack it up and return it as defective.

Bob