TimberGhost

I just bought a Pananosic Lumix DMC-SZ3. I tried to run the CD Rom in my computer drive to install the software. The computer is getting old and is not functioning so good anymore. The drive just made clicking noises and the software wasn't installed. I tried plugging the camera into the USB port, turned the camera on, pressed the PC mode. Camera screen read accessing computer, than this funny looking symbol comes on the screen and that's it, nothing else happened. I tried it afew times, same thing. What can I do? Is there a site with the software for this camera that I can download it? I need to get these pictures on the computer! Thanks!

jeanbug35 Loc: Jonesboro AR

Does the camera have a removeable SD card? I just plug my SD card into my computer and download it straight to windows when the box pops up that gives you the options. Never plug my camera to the computer anymore. Hope this helps.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

It looks like a nice PnS and sounds like your computer needs help. Can you download the software?

As for the computer, may I suggest you try something like running Piriform's CCleaner? http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

I am sure there is more to do, but this is a good start.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

It might be that your computer isn't able to download and run the camera software. Are you sure your version of windows supports the camera program?

misplaced Texan Loc: Texas Gulf coast

Sounds to me that your hard drive is on it's last legs....... Hopefully, you can remove all the vital files before it croaks.

Most old computers can handle a second hard drive or even an external one via the USB port.

IR Jim Loc: St. Louis

Try opening "My Computer" or "Computer" from the desktop. Connect the camera with the USB cable the same way you did before. Look for a "Mass Storage Device" drive to appear. You should find your pictures in there.

If it doesn't work let us know. Someone here will figure it out for you.

RaydancePhoto

Perhaps by changing the auto play preference for pictures.

Go to: Start ->Default Programs-->Change AutoPlay Settings-->Pictures.

The drop down gives several choices. Or you can disable autoplay for everything.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I never use the camera software because I prefer using one system, regardless of the camera I'm using. I either plug the camera into the computer via USB, stick the SD card into a reader or the computer, or use an Eye-Fi card. That avoids a lot of complication.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

If you feel your computer might be on it's way out, why would you even be thinking of putting your shots on the computer in the first place? Leave them on the card, buy a few new mem cards (they are cheap) till you get a new computer.

wolfd Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Try using a card reader to transfer your images.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

Like most people I know I use external usb card readers.
I've been using readers for about a decade now, never a glitch or any problem uploading stills or video. They're not expensive, perhaps $10 or, that will solve the problem.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

As Jerry mentioned, get a reader, at Wally world. Your Computer platform is out dated and can't read the cd drive - the software that is on it. It might be a different format I.E. newer java type format or it could even be a DVD.

TimberGhost

I'm going to get a cardreader today, hope this fixes my problem! I want to thank everyone for their advice. This is a great site and I'm glad I stumbled across it! Jim

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

The clicking you heard from the CD drive was telling you that it's not working properly and the software program never got loaded. You can download the program from the camera manufacturers site to get the program loaded.
Without the CODEC installed in your computer and the drivers for the photo transfer system, you'll never get any photos downloaded.

1. check your cd drive and replace if damaged. Either the CD was not installed in the drive properly or the drive has bit the dust. Simple desktop CD drives only cost $15 or so and external DVD drives are under $25 now. If this is a laptop computer however, the drive replacement will be significantly more money and the simple fix is to purchase an external USB DVD/CD drive for about $25 or less. This will allow you to install the Lumix download program.
2. download the camera's photo transfer program from the Panasonic Lumix SZ3 Support website so at least you can transfer photos to your computer and your USB connection will recognize your camera. I checked this site and they have your program available for download.
3. Get the computer repaired.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

Here again Jim, you didn't read the OP's thread properly. The clicking was from the CD drive so the Lumix program never got installed. Without that program and CODEC, the computer will never recognize the camera or be able to download photo files even if using a card reader

The simple fix is to go to the Panasonic Lumix support website and download the program for the DMC-SZ3 camera..