AboutSara Bella Expertise I can answer questions about most anything photographic. From film to darkroom to digital photography, from lighting to Photoshop techniques to digital work flow. I also know a great deal about the historical and theoretical contexts of photography. I am most familiar with Mac computers and the Adobe programs (Photoshop) but I can usually help troubleshoot any software and machine as long as I have the right information.
Experience I have been shooting photographs since I was 12 years old. I have a BFA in photography and and I am a current MFA matriculate. I teach photography at a university.
Education/Credentials BFA in Photography/Visual Articulation. In residency to receive MFA in photography in 2008.
Expert: Sara Bella Date: 9/5/2007 Subject: connecting to a computer
Question QUESTION: I have a cheap, no-name digital camera. I can plug it into the computer, but the computer has no driver for the camera. Do you have any hints as to where I might get a generic camera driver?
ANSWER: Hi Paul,
I have never encountered this problem, but have some generalized ideas that might help you. I will need more information from you before I can help. Without knowing what kind of computer you have and OS...etc...I couldn't guess which driver you would need.
Is the digital camera really no name? Did it come with an instruction booklet? How does it say to get the files to your computer? Did the camera not come with a disc? What kind of computer do you have? If the camera truly has no drivers, the driver will have to be specific to your computer, from the manufacturer. Are all of your drivers and plug-ins updated for both the computer and photo editing software? What software are you using to work on the photographs?
When you attach the camera to the computer, what happens? Does the machine even recognize that an external device has been attached?
Let me know the answers to as many of these questions as you can and we can go from there.
Sara
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Sorry to be so slow in replying. These are items that I picked up at the thrift store. No documentation or disks. And, no name on the cameras. One has a USB-type connection, and the other has a sort of small square-shaped connection. I have cables for both types.
The computer is a Dell Dimension 2400, with Windows XP Home edition.
Yes, the computer recognizes that an unknown device has been attached.
Software - I have Adobe photoshop, Dell Picture Studio, Nikonview (I have a Nikon digitial), HP Photo and Imaging, Thalia Photo Manager and Arcsoft Photo Studio.
None of these seem to work - all, or many say connection failed.
I see on Ebay offers for CD's with zillions of drivers.
Thanks, Paul.
Answer Wow Paul...I am stumped. I use Mac computers and when I attach an external device, even if I don't have the driver, it still comes up and let's me download the data. With Photoshop, have you tried importing the data from the device? I am not sure if you can do this on a PC, but I go to File: Import: Acquire...and there are many options. Adobe Bridge may also be helpful to you here, and it comes with Photoshop CS2..but again, I am not sure because you are working on a PC.
If you found CDs with drivers on Ebay and you think they will work, I'd say try that. Since you have no install disks or idea on what type of camera you have...it seems like your best bet. You may also want to check with someone who uses PC's.
Good luck to you. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any further questions.
