10yr+ old Canon PowerShot S20 + W7 x86 SP1

[wahnsinn]

Hi,

I have been using a PowerShot S20 (on and off) for many, many years. Canon offers drivers for Windows 2000 and XP, but not for Vista/7.
However, up until a little while ago, I was able to use the camera with Windows 7 without any issues - it got recognized automatically, and a driver was provided automatically.

This was pre-SP1 however.
I don't know if SP1 is the reason, but I'm fairly positive.
Ive recently set up a new system with w7 x86, and then upgraded to sp1 via download.
(I had not plugged in the camera before applying the sp1 update, but as I said, I had it working on that same machine using w7 before).

The camera gets recognized, but the driver agent tells me there is no driver available for it. So, best I can figure, Microsoft dropped the support for this age-old device with its SP1 update, or with some other update. Understandably? maybe. Annoying? You bet.
It's not so much that I still rely on the camera - I dont - but it's perfectly good hardware that Im not willing to throw away just because MS decides its too old..

SO..
Any ideas on where I might get a working driver, since clearly a working W7 driver solution EXISTS?

(I have of course checked the Canon website, the latest driver software they offer is for WXP, and while that one IS installable on my system, it does not allow access to the images on the camera. (Trying to access via twain results in error or crash (tried with gimp, irfanview, paint shop..), also the preview thumbnails that are usually present in the import window are big red X's).
The Windows Image Acquisition dialog is not triggered when I plug in the camera, so I cant access the images that way, either.

PS: I have checked on a WXP system, the camera is 100% operational, I can preview and download the images on that system without any problems.

thanks for any help..

 

[Barman58]

If all else fails, as you have Win7 Pro, why not check out the XP Mode options - not ideal but should allow you to continue working with the camera

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

 

[DeaconFrost]

I have never needed or loaded a driver for a camera from Windows 2000 on. You should be able to plug the camera in and see the memory card like a flash drive. If not, check if your camera has a setting for "disk mode".

 

[wahnsinn]

Barman58: That's an excellent idea, I will look into that!

DeaconFrost: You over-estimate the capabilities of this ancient cam (It doesnt have any options for that, unfortunately)

 

[boohbah]

im presuming your camera has a memory card, does your pc have a card reader slot if so pop the memory card in there and you should be able to see the contents and cut ,copy delete etc
the card /disc can be found in "computer" from start menu

 

[Barman58]

From the original review

Storage types Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage included 8 MB CompactFlash

So this may be an option

 

[DeaconFrost]

I prefer card readers myself, because the camera, nor it's battery, are used or needed to get photos off the cards. But I still haven't ever encountered a digital camera that needed drivers to access it's included memory card.

 

[boohbah]

i always take my card out and put it in the card reader on my pc its a lot less hassle than getting cables out and whatnot. also when my family were visiting all we had to do was this method for sharing the different photos we had taken during their visit.