P2 Card Manager Difficulties

[dvx_yaaaaaay]

Okay, so I got an 8gb P2, and I stick it in my PCMCIA slot, all excited like. I pop in my P2 disc to install the manager, select to install "P2 Card Slot" or whatever, and my laptop says "Please insert P2 cards into all available slots." No problem, except that I already have the card in. I would be worried that my computer wasn't reading it, but when I go into Windows Explorer, it shows the card as AG-HVX200 (E:), so I know the computer can see the card, so why can't the P2 Card Installer? I downloaded the latest P2 software from Panasonic, as that was my first guess to the problem, but it says the same thing. Any guesses?

PS, the card has footage on it, does it need to be empty when installing the drivers?

[Jason Ramsey]

It looks like you stopped before you finished. If I remember correctly, my lappy said the same thing. It's just wanting you to make sure you have a p2 card in all pcmcia slots. If you do, then just go to the next step. Are you not able to advance past that? If you're just installing the p2 driver software, if you have your p2 card in your lappy's slot then click past that notification, it should continue, if I remember correctly.

Jason

[dvx_yaaaaaay]

It gives me the options "Ok" and "Cancel". When I click ok the message disappears for a second and then reappears.

[Jason Ramsey]

Keep clicking :thumbsup:

I don't know. I remember seeing that message, but I just clicked past it and everything proceeded as expected.

Jason

[dvx_yaaaaaay]

Question: Do I need to plug the camera into the computer to install the drivers off of it first?

[Jason Ramsey]

No. If you are just wanting to install the drivers to be able to offload/view your cards via the laptops pcmcia slot, you just need to have the p2 card in your pcmcia slot(s).

Has the p2 card been formatted in camera? Is it blank? It would probably be a good idea to put the p2 card in your camera and format it. Then try insterting it in your pcmcia slot and installing the driver.

It's been a while since I did it, so I don't remember very well. You might also try not inserting the card in your laptop until you see the prompt come up telling you to do so.

Jason

*EDIT: I just re-read your first post (the P.S part) Yes. Format your card in camera first. Then redo the installation process.

[dvx_yaaaaaay]

I have no idea what o try now... I've formatted my card in camera in hopes that would change something, and now I have no drivers on my computer and no footage on my card:(. So. I've installed the latest windows updates in hopes that would work, but no luck. Barry where are you, you know everything.

[Jason Ramsey]

Yeah. Sorry, man. I don't know what to tell you now. It should work if your card is fresh and you don't have any previous or partial install of the p2 driver on your lappy.

Jason

[dvx_yaaaaaay]

w00t.

I finally got it. If anyone has this problem in the future, I was just making a ridiculous mistake. I had my laptop in my living room running off battery power. I had it set to maximum battery life mode, which, to the dismay of my 3 hours of life, automatically disables the CardBus. I was being confused because the computer was still recognizing the drive so I never considered this option. When my battery died I plugged in my power cable, which automatically swtches the computer to maximum power, and voila, all is installed flawlessly in a matter of moments. This is the only time I will ever say I'm glad my battery died.

Thanks for the help Ramjet

[Jason Ramsey]

cool man. Glad you got it. You may be able to customize those battery settings and have it keep your pcmcia slot on while on battery power. Depends on your lappy.

Good job,
Jason

[dvx_yaaaaaay]

haha yeah i can change them, i just had it set to max life, the laptop would be useless as a p2 dump device if the cardbus was always inactive on battery power.