I have a fairly old Compaq running Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3 and have always been able to download photographs from either my or my wife’s cameras via a card reader plugged into a USB 2.0 port.

Now however when I do the same it seems to realise there is a USB drive attached but doesn’t recognise the disc. Depending upon exactly how I try I either get a message saying please insert a disk into drive K or a message saying the camera is in use.

The only change I think I have made was to get rid of my old Kodak printer and install a new HP Officejet 4620.

Could it be some sort of conflict between the printer / scanner and the camera?

Anyone have any suggestions as I’m under pressure to print off some of our family Christmas photos.

John.

First try a different USB port, the change of port can sometimes 'kickstart' things into action. Alternatively, I have had a fair few card readers fail on me, so if you can beg/borrow/steal another reader that would be worth a go.

Do the cameras have USB ports on them? You can usually connect a camera direct to the PC using a USB lead.

I've tried alternative USB ports (but using the same card reader) and also two different cards but they all give the same result.

My wife's Finepix has a lead and using this the PC does recognise the camera but still won't see the photographs.