Login|Contact Us
Question and Answer

Digital Cameras

Ask a Digital Cameras Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

  • Ask A Question
  • Browse Answers
  • Meet The Experts
  • How JustAnswer Works

My Sony Handycam DCR-SX44 will not connect to my computer anymore.

 

Customer Question

My Sony Handycam DCR-SX44 will not connect to my computer anymore. It just says "preparing" and nothing happens.

 



Already Tried:
I repaired the IMG.DBF data files. I removed the battery and then reinstalled it. I have photos and videos of my daughters' wedding on the hard drive. I am currently recording any new pictures or video to the sd card.

Submitted: 289 days and 14 hours ago.
Category: Digital Cameras
Value: $14
Status: CLOSED
Picture
Expert:  Russell H. replied 289 days and 13 hours ago.

If the SD card is the only method left of getting data off the camcorder, then recording to the SD card is indeed advisable.

Is the message just 'Preparing', or is it 'Preparing to open cover' or the like?

How old is the camera? in months or years since you bought it.

Has the camera been dropped or otherwise subjected to mechanical shock(s) in its lifetime?
Has the camera been operated in or subjected to, temperatures below 32 degrees F (freezing point) or above about 100 degrees F ? Has it ever been subjected to a humidity higher than 85 % ?

Customer replied 289 days and 13 hours ago.

The message is just "Preparing". If I left it alone, it would stay there for days. The Camera is about 1 - 2 years old, not sure. To my knowledge, it has not been dropped or subjected to freezing or high temperatures. Humidity, just normal for NY. The camera is almost always in my house, which is air conditioned. Everything worked well until last week.

Picture
Expert:  Russell H. replied 289 days and 13 hours ago.

I am uncertain what the problem is with your particular school of device, and cannot find data RE the error message, so I am Opting Out, leaving the case open to further additions from other Experts in this category.

Customer replied 289 days and 13 hours ago.

OK. I'm going to a meeting, so I will have limited response availability for the next few hours. I will check my text messages however.
I'm afraid I will have to contact a hard drive data retrieval service to get the photos and video on this hard drive. Any assistance you may come up with will be appreciated. By the way, I've had the camera attempting to connect for the past hour.

Picture
Expert:  Shahid_Sony replied 289 days and 13 hours ago.

Hi,

- Please reset camcorder by pressing reset button near LCD hinge with pointed object, put current time and date info and connect it to computer and check.
- If that doesn't help, please reboot / restart you computer, connect camcorder and check.

Let me know how it worked.
Thanks.

Customer replied 289 days and 7 hours ago.

I was really hoping that would work, but still I'm hung up on "Preparing". Is there a deeper reset function?

Picture
Expert:  Shahid_Sony replied 289 days and 7 hours ago.

Reset button is hard reset option to restore camcorder to default factory settings.

Please disconnect camcorder from computer, can you playback the recorded video clips in camcorder?
Did you install software CD in computer that came with camcorder?

Customer replied 289 days and 7 hours ago.

I can play the video and see the pictures on the hard drive. I don't seem to have the software installed and I don't know where the disc is. Should I go to SONY and download the software?

Picture
Expert:  Shahid_Sony replied 289 days and 7 hours ago.

Yes, please click Sony Support link and download Picture Motion Browser software, after installation, connect camcorder in computer to transfer video clips from camcorder into computer.

Hope this will help, let me know if there is additional question.
Thanks.

Customer replied 278 days and 21 hours ago.

Hi Shahid,


Sorry for the long delay. I've been away. I have been unable to download the software you recommended. My computer says it's downloaded, but when I go to install it, nothing happens. I hope to be at my computer tomorrow morning. Your help is greatly appreciated and I hope that upon installing the software I will be able to access my photos and videos from the camera.

Picture
Expert:  Shahid_Sony replied 278 days and 21 hours ago.

Hi,

Did you connect camcorder to computer before clicking SPUDownloadManagerStarter.exe file?
It is required to connect camcorder in computer then click download file to start installation of PMB software.

Thanks.

 
Tweet

Digital Camera Technicians are Online Right Now

Ask Your Question Now
Ask A Digital Camera Technician
Type Your Digital Cameras Question Here...
characters left:

Top Digital Cameras Experts

See More Digital Camera Technicians

In The News

Nbc
Washington Post
New York Times
Cnn
Learn More

How It Works

  • Ask an Expert
  • Get a Professional Answer
  • Ask Followup Questions
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Learn More
close
Find Expert answers related to your question.
Sign up using email
We will never post anything without your permission.
Already have an account? Sign in

Ask a Digital Camera Technician

Get a Professional Answer. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
98 Digital Camera Technicians are Online Now
Type Your Digital Cameras Question Here...
characters left:
Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.
Truste
Contact Us | Terms of Service | Privacy & Security | About Us
© 2003-2013 JustAnswer LLC