Windows 95 and digital cameras

Bird · Dec 23, 2002

Now you guys definitely tempt me, because I would much rather the drive letters be the same as they used to be; however, the Dell tech support folks said there was a way to change those drive letters, but then the other applications on the computer might never work right again./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif That's the reason I've left it the way it is. But of course, I'd trust you two a lot more than I'd trust Dell tech support./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

gws · Dec 23, 2002

Your first issue is th 64mb, Even on windows 95 thats going to be small if you try to do anything with the images you download.
You can use win95C with USB and the correct drivers.

JohnMiller3 · Dec 23, 2002

...I'd trust you two a lot more...

Hi ya Bird...

You're a trusting soul... /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Normally, the only time you'd see problems is when you load/install certain programs from a CD and the program has to access the CD periodically... so if you loaded from CD drive letter "D" and later changed that to say "G"... the poorly written program would stay stuck on "D" on never search for a different drive... but this is not your problem... so why am I rambling on and on...? /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

I need a glass of gingerale... that's why... /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

MossRoad · Dec 23, 2002

You are probably correct. I've used this utility on windows NT, but never after anything was installed other than the operating system. Some day when I'm feeling lucky, I'll try it. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

I'll look around at the microsoft site and see if it affects anything.

Also, XP has a checkpoint feature. You can set checkpoints that you can go back to if you mess something up. For instance, I installed some kids software and it was a no go. So I went back to the check point and it was like it was never there. That was nice. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MossRoad · Dec 23, 2002

So when do you think Muhammad should start his "ComputerByNet"... discussions...?

He might have to if the tractors keep getting more electronic /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

MossRoad · Dec 23, 2002

Well, poop! While you can use the utility to change drive letters, it appears that you can hose the system doing it /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

If you are running XP, you can go to the help menu, then search for "change drive letter" and it will give you the low-down on how to do it and what it affects. Sorry for the bad advice... I'll edit my post /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

EDIT:::
I tried it and it says I cannot modify the drive letter of the system volume or boot volume..... GRRRR.....

MikePA · Dec 24, 2002

I don't know if it is the camera interface or the computer interface, but one of them is a dog.
Using a serial interface is like sending the pictures from your camera to the PC over a fast, 128 kbps, modem connection. A USB connection is 12,000 kbps.

timb · Dec 24, 2002

Billy,

To echo Mike's comment - USB and W95 is a "maybe". W95 "B" had the first USB support if I recall - that's what I had and my USB HP scanner worked fine. However my USB digicam card reader would not. (My digital camera had only a serial connection built in - not the best way to download pictures!). I contacted the card reader company - they did not and would not have W95/USB drivers available - I had go to W98 or higher for it to work.

Eventually a new and roomy HD gave me that excuse and now it works fine.

Bottom line - whether or not you have W95 USB support installed now or go ahead and install it - you may still not be able to connect a newer digicam. I doubt whether you'll get enough details from the camera's box/literature or the salesman to determine that subtle gotcha ahead of time.

Better plan on an OS upgrade - or pick another download solution for now like the floppy "disk" adapters for the camera memory card. (SmartMedia anyway). And plan on lots of PC memory - it makes a huge difference playing with the files on the computer. 64MB isn't going to work very well for long.

Tim

Bird · Dec 24, 2002

Now you've really scared me; guess I better leave well enough alone./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

looch · Dec 24, 2002

Very wise. As others have noted, changing the drive letter after you've installed applications will cause most of them to cease functioning.

There is a sneaky way around this, and I'll only mention it FYI.

First, change your Zip drive letter to something else. Share your E: and then map it to C:.

MossRoad · Dec 24, 2002

Sorry 'bout that /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif Well, at least you and I now know more than we did yesterday, so that's a good thing, right? /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

Bird · Dec 24, 2002

/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gifYep, live and learn./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

BillyP · Dec 24, 2002

I think I'll bite the bullet and upgrade to XP. At least that way I'll be ok for a year or so. I found some memory, $22 per 128MB. I have room for 384MB, that with the Pentium II 233 should work ok with XP?

The thing I'm wondering is will Microsoft Office 95 work with XP? I'd hate to give that up and I sure ain't gonna buy it.

Billy

timb · Dec 24, 2002

Billy,

I think there are some issues with XP and certain older motherboards (and chip sets)- but that's beyond my expertise. I've kept my Dell PII-266 at W98. Running 288MB ram helps with big photo files.

Good luck,
Tim

em14 · Dec 24, 2002

Billy,
I don't think your machine is going to run XP very well if at all ... I have checked with several computer Guru's who have advised me (PII 450 mhz, 256 PC 100 memory) that my system will not run XP very well if at all ... I think, my system would be right on the edge so I have stayed with 98 SE. You could run 2000 but I don't think that will help you a lot. I'm collecting the parts to built a new PC ... Check with some of your PC friends or a local PC repair shop about your system and XP before you buy XP....
Leo

BillyP · Dec 24, 2002

Well guys, I was kinda afraid of that. Sometimes 'Bill' really gets to me (in more ways than one). I think I'll just borrow a friend's Win 98SE disk and upgrade for free. I think I've paid my fair share to Microsoft already.

Billy

TresCrows · Dec 25, 2002

After my little Gateway had incurred so much battle damage out on the hostile web I decide to get this Dell. I blanked the Gateway and reloaded Windows 98 update. It works great. Frankly, you may want toconsider a new computer if digital cameras etc are your bag, so many of their support and file programs were written for something more than 95. J

MossRoad · Dec 26, 2002

As others have said, it may not be hardware compatible with XP. You could check. If you can get Win98 Second Edition, that would be a cheap way to keep going. I really like 98SE over 95. It is pretty stable and runs games and Internet Explorere 5.5 well. It will also run office 95.

Or, you could start cruising the Dell, site. They really have some fantastic deals. The new PCs just plain put older PCs to shame. I have XP at home and really like it. I have a 10yr old and a 5 year old and they never crash it. It seems very stable.