WIN XP won't recognize camera via Firewire

[Regens]

Hey Everyone,

I just got a new DVX100a, and I feel like I might be having the stupidest problem ever. I can't seem to connect my camcorder to the computer. WinXP simply refuses to recognize that it's there when the firewire cables are hooked up.
I know that it has nothing to do with the camcorder or my cable or card. I actually bought(and then returned) a new camcorder to test out everything. It hooked up to my DVX fine, and it connected to my computer just as easily using the same cord and firewire card.
I was able to get my DVX recognized ONCE and ONCE ONLY by WinXP after hours of fiddling around. Essentially I powered up my camera after the firewire was connected both to the comp and my camera. However this method never worked beyond this one time.
I'm running WinXP with SP1 installed. I'm wary about installing SP2 since I hear SP2 and the DVX dont exactly make a very good couple.
Has anyone else had this problem? If so, PLEASE help me! Thanks.

[smkoch]

first off I've installed Sevice pack 2 on all my computers and have had no compatabilty problems. I rarely use my dvx for digitizing though since I have a second cam at my base. Anyway's the times I have hooked my dvx in no problems. I know you said your cables and everything are good but try, turning your camera on, then pluging the firewire into the back, and then attach the cable into the computer, cause it sounds like a loose connection. what editing program are you trying to use?

[enterdcable]

I use Avid Express DV with the same windows platform and w/o the Service Pack 2- for some reason I can't download it.

Anyways, I have an orange link fire wire card that I installed myself. It worked fine for a little bit with my dvx but then it stopped recognizing all together.

What I did was switch the card slot position on the motherboard and reinstalled it. It seemed to do the trick. I had my ethernet card in the first available slot and I switched that with the fire wire card.

Since it's been working fine. I've also been told that power source doesn't matter but if it still doesn't work with the power adaptor try running the camera off batteries.

Also, if you are using Avid I know the camera should be connected first, turned on, then open the software. (This is not necessarily needed, but it ensures when you start a project the deck/tape is recognized.) It might be the same for whatever else your using.

Try this and if this doesn't work, repeat after restarting. Hopefully this will remedy your problem. (I've discovered this through many many frustrating hours of trial and error. This isn't technically backed up advice.) Hopefully this will work and help you as well. If not, get back to us on this post and lets see if anyone else can help you.