Please does anyone know how to load the software for this camera ? I have tried two CD-ROM's and they both appear to work, but when run the software crashes under WIN '98 with a FATAL EXCEPTION error.

My PC has 128Mb RAM, 8Gb hard disk, and a 300Mhz processor, so should exceed the requirements for the software.

I notice that in the ENGLISH subdirectory of the CAB files that DISK 8 is empty - should this be ?

I have had the camera for three days now, and I still can't use it with the PC. Can you help, please ?

-- Hywel Edwards (Hywele@lineone.net), June 19, 1999

Answers

I have a PDR-M1 that I purchased last fall(11/98), and am running the ImageExpert software for Win '95/NT4.0 on a Win '98 machine. The only problems I encountered were involved with getting the camera to talk to the PC through the serial port, which I eventually(a whole night[evening to dawn] that seemed like forever) worked out. See the Troubleshooting the Serial Port Faq that I wrote for this website for such solutions.

I checked my CD-ROM, it's a hybrid for windows/mac labeled:

PDRM1-0001 FZ02866-100

curiously, it only has English subfolders labeled disk1 - disk7, with one Data cab file for each folder. Perhaps you have a newer version? Or perhaps something is amiss with that run of cd's? (remote, but possible?) ie, I only have cab files 1-7.

You said that you've tried two cd's that both appear to work, but when run the software crashes with a fatal exception error. By that I assume you mean they both seem to install the software with NO ERRORS or MESSAGES, but ONCE YOU REBOOT and then run the Image Expert program, it immediately crashes before even putting up a window or a background?

I'm assuming you uninstalled the first copy before installing the second and that you aren't having other random fatal exceptions due to a screwed up Registry or some other problem? I'm also assuming that you have a working serial port that isn't being used by something else or aren't crashing because of another serial port driver hogging a port or something like that? (Palm Pilot serial port driver, etc?) I'm also assuming that you aren't running any other programs or exotic drivers or accessories? Phew! I assume a lot don't I? :-)

If this is the case, I'd suggest you contact Toshiba and see if there is a problem with the new discs. Perhaps you could request(maybe download?) a copy of the version I'm using, I know that at least works on my cobbled together, often rearranged, Win '98, overclocked AMD K6, Abit IT5H motherboarded, Hercules Thriller 3D'd, overworked and underappreciated workhorse.(It duz do winders, too... :-) ) Or you could try installing the software on another machine with a fairly clean system (not a lot of installs of hardware/software since Win 98 was put on it) and see what happens. It could be a registry or hardware conflict or a driver problem. How far does the Image Expert software get when loading in? Do you get anything other than an exception error after double clicking the icon to run it?

Perhaps, with further info I could be more helpful. Good Luck.

-- Gerald M. Payne (gmp@francorp.francomm.com), June 20, 1999.

Hello! I use the FlashPath adapter to accommodate the SmartMedia card to the ubiquitous 3.5 inch floppy drive withour any effort. (You have to install the driver first!) Forget the file transport via the serial port.

-- clshyu (clshyu@vghtpe.gov.tw), June 20, 1999.