Why doesnt my computer recognize my Camcorder?

Question

I have recently filmed a "movie" with my friends using a JVC GR-DA30 camcorder. So, since my laptop is dead, I tried using my dads desktop (which was custom built btw) and I plugged in my firewire 4 pin to my camcorder, to the 4 pin on his computer. However when I go on Sony Vegas 8 to capture footage from the camera, there is no capture device detected. This didnt occur with my laptop, with my laptop I could simply plug in the camcorder, turn it on, and then a pop up comes up asking if I want to capture the footage using Windows Movie maker, or Vegas 8. I also have a fire wire port 6 pin, I tried that too, however when I plug that in, then turn on my Camcorder, the computer either, freezes, or says windows does not recognize the device, or whatever. My camcorder did not come with any software, and since it worked on my laptop, I dont think I have to download any software. My laptop is dead btw so dont answer saying "Use your lap top DUH!" Lol please help. Msg me if need detail

Answer 1

I assume since you have used it on your laptop that you know how to set up the camcorder into VTR mode so that the computer will recognize it as a tape capture device and not a 'webcam'

other than that, it really sounds like an operating system issue. have you checked for OS updates?

Answer 2

You say your dad's custom built PC has 4 pin and 6 pin firewire ports?  And you get different behaviour depending on which one you use?  I'm wondering if there are two firewire cards installed and that's causing some sort of conflict - you can check in Device Manager.  

Hopefully a stupid question, but are you sure you plugged your firewire cable into a 4 pin firewire port - I've never seen one in a desktop PC.

You could try this:-

Go into Device Manager (Control Panel / System / Hardware)

Expand the IEEE1394 Bus host controllers, right click on your  device and uninstall it.  If it's not there to start with, you've got a problem!

Shut down your PC.

Connect the camcorder, switch it to play and reboot your PC.  You should see messages coming up as the card and then the camcorder are detected.