USB Canon Digital camera freezes system

[Vieux Richard]

Have just installed Windows XP Home Edition on this Packard Bell PIII 800Mhz 64MB which had Win98SE OEM installed. When I came to connect the Canon Power Shot A40 on a USB port, it froze the system. Tried on other USB ports – same thing. Downloaded latest version of drivers from Canon website – no change.
Thought it might be faulty USB, so connected an optical mouse on the USB ports – worked fine.
Perhaps it might be a faulty camera/USB cable. So installed the Canon s/w & camera on my PC – everything works well including downloading photos from camera to PC.
I learnt from the customer that the internal modem had been fried, so I removed this & rebooted – still froze when camera connected. Getting desperate now, I remember finding on a previous post that VIA chipsets had a USB 1.0 filter patch. I checked the chipset and sure enough it’s a VIA VT82C694X, that must be it – so I downloaded & installed the patch – still freezing up.
Can’t think of what to do now – all is OK in Device Manager EXCEPT a ? on Other Device for an “Audio Multimedia PCI”. Not sure if this is causing the problem but can’t find a driver to install.

[newme]

have you tried installing another memory module ,at least a 128,64 mb is low for using xp

[mountaineer]

Have you tried a flash card reader instead? I neve connect my Cannon to the pc, I pop the compact flash into the scan disk card reader. Doesn't waste batteries, and you can shoot more shots with another compact flash at the same time.

[morriswindgate]

Audio Multimedia PCI - you probably have an IRQ conflict. Move your sound card or Fax, Voice Modem to a different slot.

[Vieux Richard]

Thanks for the replies. Have spoken to the Packard Bell support who say that as the PC has been upgraded to WinXP, the BIOS has to be flashed and the 2 jumpers on the Mobo moved across & back before/after flashing the BIOS. This all sounds a bit risky to me. He also confirmed that 64MB is not enough but that with the BIOS flashed then the Canon A40 should connect OK. I'm going to get the customer to confirm his OK before doing this as I don't want to risk stuffing his Mobo without his OK.
In order to get the driver for the Audio Multimedia, I have to register the PC with PB. FYI in France the call charge to PB Support (out of guarantee) is 1.35 Euros per minute.

[Vieux Richard]

I added more memory, downloaded the VIA 4in1 driver & the only way I could get Win XP to recognise the Canon PS A40 was to leave it on whilst I booted up. Even this wasn't very satisfactory as the Canon s/w downloaded the photos but then froze - needing another reboot.

Following yet another telecon with PB tech support - have handed the problem back to the customer for him to register his PC, so that they can figure it out.

You can't win 'em all - still it's a shame to admit defeat!