Hello, this is my first post!

Have the following problem:

When I connect my camera to my computer via a USB, my computer is giving me an error message saying the external hard drive has malfunctioned. When I unplug the camera from the usb, then the hard drive immediately pops up asking me if I want to transfer PICS or backup files. I am guessing the hard drive is not initiating correctly while the camera is connected. Neither device malfunctions when RUNNING alone, its the combination of the two that triggers the error message from the Hard drive USB.

The hard drive is an HP HD1600 160GB

The camera is a Lumix

I am using WINDOWS Vista

Ive tried unplugging the computer from all POWER supplies and I always connect and reconnect the USB devices the right way.


Do you have the Lumix camera software/drivers installed correctly for Vista? You might try uninstall/reinstall.
haven't tried that, (so I will) but USB for the hard drive is whats giving me the error message. It sounds like the two devices are putting interference across the same USB Hub. is is possible to try them in different hubs? eg one in the back of the machine, and one in the front?tried both in the front and one in the back one in front and nothing checked drivers all up to date. havent tried both in back though. how would i delete the camera DRIVER to re-install?Remove it in Device Manager...
Then check Add/Remove Programs for the camera software and remove that also...

NOTE: Since it's a USB Device DO NOT plug the camera in until the software prompts you to on the clean install...this may be what went wrong the first time.