Transferring DV video to computer is driving me nuts

[bear]

Im having a major problem capturing/transferring video from my Canon Elura 85 DV Camcorder to my computer via firewire.

Now its supposed to be simple I thought, but they dont provide any instruction on doing this.
Also it says that XP is supposed to install my drivers automatically but Im still getting undetected hardware errors.

When trying to capture the video using Windows Movie Maker, it just says it cant detect my camera.

What do I do?
I've spent 4 hours on this and I'm not getting anywhere.

[Will.Spencer]

I would start by trying to install the lastest drivers. XP probably has the latest drivers, but I would check to be certain.

You probably alrady have the latest version of DV Messenger 2.

There might be a useful hint in either the ELURA85 Instruction Manual or the Digital Video Software (Windows) Ver.15/Ver.16 Instruction Manual, both of which are available here. I concur that neither manual is very helpful, but there are some troubleshooting steps at the end of the second manual.

Have you tried using one of the Canon-provided applications instead of Windows Movie Maker? Can those applications see the camera?

Have you tried using USB instead of FireWire? FireWire isn't even mentioned in the second manual.

[bear]

That driver link doesnt work.

The thing is, that the manual and Canon site say that this camera needs no drivers with XP as XP will automatically install drivers!
But Im still getting an undetected hardware for a 'storage device' related to the camera but not for the camera itself.
I dont know if this is what is preventing the transfer.

Canon dont really provide and transfer/capture software, Ive tried all their software options but now Ive turned to Movie Maker.
I believe that Messenger program is just used to integrate with windows messenger to use as video conferencing.

You can only use USB to transfer photos, firewire has to be used instead for video transfer.

I'm really stuck..

[Will.Spencer]

Canon's troubleshooting steps say to unplug everything, delete all of your drivers, and plug everything back in to re-try autodiscovery.

Is your camera still under warranty? Can you call Canon?

[bear]

And thats just what I did last night - uninstalled everything relating to the camera, reinstalled it all and now its working in Movie Maker!

Thanks Will.