Can't install a card reader- Help!

I have a Nikon digital camera and for some reason my computer has never been able to transfer pictures directly from the camera, instead freezing up during transfer. I originally solved this problem by buying a Compact flash card reader and this worked great. However recently one of the pins bent so I had to buy a new one. Now when i try to install the new one, I plug it into the USB port and get this message:

Generic USB Card Reader Disk Drive
Windows is installing software for your new hardware...

...and then it freezes. I have to restart the computer. And my card reader is never recognized. (There is no icon under 'My Computer') I bought a different card reader and the same thing happened. I ran ScanDisk, Disk Defragmenter, sfc, and found no problems. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks alot.

 

Is your USB port USB 2.0 or USB 1.1?

What is the operating system?

If it's XP, no drivers are required usually and it's only displayed as a removable storage device when it's powered on.

If it's switched off it won't be displayed in My Computer, nor detected by the operating system.

 

My operating system is Windows 98 SE.

How do I know which USB port (2.0 vs 1.1) mine is? The card reader was for USB 2.0.

 

If it's Windows 98 SE then you need to install drivers that should have come with the card reader or whatever the device is that you want to install.

To check if it's a USB 2.0 port, look in Device Manager and under USB it should say "enhanced" there.

 

I have definitely installed the drivers from the CD that came with the reader. I even went to Lexar's website and downloaded the drivers there and installed them- still no dice. Still looking for answers...

 

You still haven't told me if it's a USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 port that you have?

Do you have any errors in Device Manager?

I can't offer any help via the internet without knowing basic things.

 

Sorry Insomniac I was on call last night and had no access to my computer. I see no evidence of any "enhanced" USB ports on my Device Manager. Could it be that my 2.0 card reader won't work with my USB? See what you think. Thanks.

 

If you have USB 2.0 then somewhere under Universal Serial Bus Controllers in Device Manager it will say ....."enhanced"......

If it doesn't as you say then you don't have USB 2.0, or that the drivers required haven't been installed.

Some card readers and cameras will work with both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 ports, but some will only work with 2.0.

I have no idea which category yours fits into. You will need to read the manual or check the manufacturer's website.

Did you get a driver CD with the reader and/or camera for Windows 98?

Unlike XP, 98 doesn't officially support USB 2.0.

This doesn't mean USB 2.0 devices won't work, however whatever it is that needs it has to provide it's own drivers unlike XP which already has them.

 

Thanks alot Insomniac I think you figured it out. My USB is definitely a 1.1. So here's an update. I went back to the store and returned it for a card reader that was specifically for a 1.1 USB. Well, I got past the screen it stuck on before during installation and thought I was in the clear. Whenever I put my card in it immediately recognized it and the Nikon transfer icon popped up. However, when i click on "Transfer" it transfers maybe one photo, then an error occurs and it won't read anymore. And then it won't even recognize the card reader at all until I reboot. The only way I found around this is to open the removable disk icon in My Computer and drag and drop pictures into a new folder on my desktop. And even then an error occurs sometimes. However, I am happy that I can get ANY pictures transferred after battling this problem so I think I'll just keep going with this method. If anyone has any further suggestions, thanks.

 

You still haven't tried my previous suggestion, or perhaps I didn't explain it properly?

Because you have Windows 98, you will need to install drivers for the device so you can copy and download files from it in Windows.

As I asked previously, did you get drivers with any of the devices for Windows 98?

You may have to install them first for it to function correctly.

 

I posted down below that yes I did install the drivers from the CD 1st. I'm not a computer expert but I'm not an idiot either!

 

Well excuse me for using my valuable time trying to help you!

No one said you were an idiot and I have no idea the level of your computer competence or literacy.

You may know what you have or haven't done, but I don't have your computer in front of me.

Better still for both of us, you can just help yourself or find someone else.

Goodbye and good luck!

 

Hello Helga,
Just a couple of points to mention and i don't want to rain on Insomni's parade - he has helped numerous people solve their probs.
Firstly - when I had 98SE it absolutely hated the Lexar reader despite installing again and again and again and despite going to their advice site it NEVER worked for me. Soon as I upgraded to XP - bingo! instantly recognized.
Secondly - I am curious that your Nikon camera did'nt come with and installation program that allowed direct connection between your camera and your computer. My purchases of Olympuses all included such a program and I imagine that Nikon would do the same.
You install the program plug the connection lead into the USB slot then switch on your camera and it should be recognized - regardless of the USB. That applied to my 1.1 connection in 98 Se way back in time.

Hope this helps
Robert

 

You're not raining on my parade Robert (more like pi$$ing on it ), and your opinion is valued.

I agree with your second point entirely, and that's what I asked her (maybe not as clear or as eloquent) in my last two lines before she replied "I already told you that, and I'm not a computer expert but I'm not an idiot"

Maybe you'll get a different reply, here's to hoping.

It's basically very simple, in 98 you install the drivers/software supplied, connect the camera and power it up.

Lets hope I worded that properly this time. Anyway, it's all yours!