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NEX-5N not recognized by Windows

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GaryR60

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I have an Asus U56E laptop that is only a year old and I've had no trouble using my NEX-5N with it until several months ago when, all of a sudden, one or more of the USB ports - and now ALL of them, including all 4 ports in my USB hub - return a message saying that the "device is not recognized by Windows." Sometimes, the NEX-5N displays the message, "Check the connected device," as if it doesn't recognize the laptop.

I am trying to install the new firmware update, but it has become impossible to do because, no matter what USB port I use, the camera is not recognized. The really weird thing is that, despite this, I can click on Removable Disk F: and manually navigate directly to the NEX-5N's DCIM and 100 MSDCF folders to manually download my RAW files from the camera. Go figure! This has been, for the last week or so, the only way I can even get my images off of the camera and onto the laptop.

I have posted a message about this on the Sony Support Community forum and I am awaiting a reply. Meanwhile, have no way of knowing if the laptop is corrupted or if the firmware on the NEX is. This is absolutely maddening! :(
 
make sure in Setup that your camera's USB connection mode is set to 'mass storage'. If it's set to something else, it can cause the computer to not recognize it as a connected drive.
 
In my case using Mass Storage causes my NEX-5 to show up as a removable device and in Devices and Printers but you only get the properties dialogue when you click on it in Devices and Printers. When set to PTP it shows up normally in Devices and Printers and reacts with a device manufacturer page. Basically, change the setting in the Setup menu to whatever it isn't now and it should work :)
 
zackiedawg said:
zackiedawg wrote:

make sure in Setup that your camera's USB connection mode is set to 'mass storage'. If it's set to something else, it can cause the computer to not recognize it as a connected drive.
Click to expand...
 
Leaping Carp said:
Jonathan_Whiteman wrote:

In my case using Mass Storage causes my NEX-5 to show up as a removable device and in Devices and Printers but you only get the properties dialogue when you click on it in Devices and Printers. When set to PTP it shows up normally in Devices and Printers and reacts with a device manufacturer page. Basically, change the setting in the Setup menu to whatever it isn't now and it should work :)
Click to expand...
I've noticed the same when I've tried setting it to the other mode. I could access info, etc, but it was no use in downloading images. Mass Storage is the default and should be used for downloading images and it should do so automatically. I use Lightroom 4 and, when it works normally, Lightroom 4 opens and automatically renders the images on my camera. Then I click Import in Lightroom and it saves them to my computer. Of course, if one doesn't have Lightroom or a similarly functioning image editor, you'll get a dialog asking which of several options you'd like to use, including viewing the files in a folder, etc.

This business with the USB ports has been very sporadic. It started out happening every once in a while, but most of the time, everything behaved as expected. Gradually, it became less and less reliable and the ports that would work varied. Sometimes a port that didn't recognize the camera would later recognize it, even immediately after rejecting the camera. There doesn't seem to be any consistency to it at all, until today, when I need to install the new firmware update,. Then it decides not to allow access to the camera at all, from any USB port, and, counting the USB hub, that's seven USB ports in all.
 
GaryR60 said:
GaryR60 wrote:
GaryR60 said:
Jonathan_Whiteman wrote:

In my case using Mass Storage causes my NEX-5 to show up as a removable device and in Devices and Printers but you only get the properties dialogue when you click on it in Devices and Printers. When set to PTP it shows up normally in Devices and Printers and reacts with a device manufacturer page. Basically, change the setting in the Setup menu to whatever it isn't now and it should work :)
Click to expand...
I've noticed the same when I've tried setting it to the other mode. I could access info, etc, but it was no use in downloading images. Mass Storage is the default and should be used for downloading images and it should do so automatically. I use Lightroom 4 and, when it works normally, Lightroom 4 opens and automatically renders the images on my camera. Then I click Import in Lightroom and it saves them to my computer. Of course, if one doesn't have Lightroom or a similarly functioning image editor, you'll get a dialog asking which of several options you'd like to use, including viewing the files in a folder, etc.

This business with the USB ports has been very sporadic. It started out happening every once in a while, but most of the time, everything behaved as expected. Gradually, it became less and less reliable and the ports that would work varied. Sometimes a port that didn't recognize the camera would later recognize it, even immediately after rejecting the camera. There doesn't seem to be any consistency to it at all, until today, when I need to install the new firmware update,. Then it decides not to allow access to the camera at all, from any USB port, and, counting the USB hub, that's seven USB ports in all.
Click to expand...
You have tried a different USB cable haven't you?
 
BG454 said:
MisterBG wrote:
BG454 said:
GaryR60 wrote:
BG454 said:
Jonathan_Whiteman wrote:

In my case using Mass Storage causes my NEX-5 to show up as a removable device and in Devices and Printers but you only get the properties dialogue when you click on it in Devices and Printers. When set to PTP it shows up normally in Devices and Printers and reacts with a device manufacturer page. Basically, change the setting in the Setup menu to whatever it isn't now and it should work :)
Click to expand...
I've noticed the same when I've tried setting it to the other mode. I could access info, etc, but it was no use in downloading images. Mass Storage is the default and should be used for downloading images and it should do so automatically. I use Lightroom 4 and, when it works normally, Lightroom 4 opens and automatically renders the images on my camera. Then I click Import in Lightroom and it saves them to my computer. Of course, if one doesn't have Lightroom or a similarly functioning image editor, you'll get a dialog asking which of several options you'd like to use, including viewing the files in a folder, etc.

This business with the USB ports has been very sporadic. It started out happening every once in a while, but most of the time, everything behaved as expected. Gradually, it became less and less reliable and the ports that would work varied. Sometimes a port that didn't recognize the camera would later recognize it, even immediately after rejecting the camera. There doesn't seem to be any consistency to it at all, until today, when I need to install the new firmware update,. Then it decides not to allow access to the camera at all, from any USB port, and, counting the USB hub, that's seven USB ports in all.
Click to expand...
You have tried a different USB cable haven't you?

--
.
Click to expand...
There is no different USB cable. You're forgetting that the smaller end is not a regular USB plug and it was made specifically for the NEX.
 
toliver said:
toliver wrote:

I had the same problem with the nex6 and it turned out to be a bad usb cable
Click to expand...
Did you order a new one from Sony? The cable is specific to the NEX. It's not a regular USB cable.
 
A unique cable ..? Is it not just a USB mini-b?
--
www.flickr.com

NEX7

Shot with the Sony Alpha NEX7 and assorted lenses -- some legacy glass, the 1855 kit lens, the SEL55210, the Sony-Zeiss 24 and the SEL50 -- see individual photos for detail. Unfortunately the EXIF data loses the lens descriptor for legacy lenses, though is otherwise accurate and I have added...
www.flickr.com www.flickr.com
 
GaryR60 said:
GaryR60 wrote:
GaryR60 said:
RGBaker wrote:

A unique cable ..? Is it not just a USB mini-b?
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/geoffbaker/sets/72157632181672263/detail/
Click to expand...
It may be, but, anyway, I've just confirmed it's not the cable that is the problem. I just used it to download some test shots to my iPad and it worked fine. So, either the firmware has become corrupted, somehow, or the laptop is corrupted in some way. Neither is recognizing the other.
Click to expand...
Have you tried using a different card? Or a card reader instead of the camera/cable?
 
By chance did you used your memory card on another camera before use on your nex?

Previously I got a memory card formatted with nex-5 and when used in nex-6, it was able to be used properly in nex-6 but not able to recognize by my pc. Later i formatted my memory card with nex-6 then it works like normal
 
Jim Parsons said:
Jim Parsons wrote:
Jim Parsons said:
GaryR60 wrote:
Jim Parsons said:
RGBaker wrote:

A unique cable ..? Is it not just a USB mini-b?
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/geoffbaker/sets/72157632181672263/detail/
Click to expand...
It may be, but, anyway, I've just confirmed it's not the cable that is the problem. I just used it to download some test shots to my iPad and it worked fine. So, either the firmware has become corrupted, somehow, or the laptop is corrupted in some way. Neither is recognizing the other.
Click to expand...
Have you tried using a different card? Or a card reader instead of the camera/cable?

--
Jim Parsons
Click to expand...
I have only one card, the one in the camera, Jim. I do have a USB card reader and the laptop does have a card slot, as well. However, this is all a moot point now. I downloaded a freeware app from CNET this evening that will capture still frames from video, however, I got more than just the software I wanted. Something also installed that has now caused my laptop to lock me out and has frozen the cursor, so, even if I turn the laptop on, I can't do a thing with it. I am researching this to see if there is a solution, but everything I find is either about being locked out because one forgot their password, or it's about the cursor being frozen, but never both at once, and everything I find assumes that the mouse can still be used. So, it's just dead in the water. Unfortunately, all my photos are on the laptop, including all my RAW files, as well as all my editing software. My iPad can be used for editing, to a limited extent, but it's not quite the same thing.
 
jk2l said:
jk2l wrote:

By chance did you used your memory card on another camera before use on your nex?

Previously I got a memory card formatted with nex-5 and when used in nex-6, it was able to be used properly in nex-6 but not able to recognize by my pc. Later i formatted my memory card with nex-6 then it works like normal
Click to expand...
No, I have only the NEX.
 
GaryR60 said:
GaryR60 wrote:
GaryR60 said:
MisterBG wrote:
GaryR60 said:
GaryR60 wrote:
GaryR60 said:
Jonathan_Whiteman wrote:

In my case using Mass Storage causes my NEX-5 to show up as a removable device and in Devices and Printers but you only get the properties dialogue when you click on it in Devices and Printers. When set to PTP it shows up normally in Devices and Printers and reacts with a device manufacturer page. Basically, change the setting in the Setup menu to whatever it isn't now and it should work :)
Click to expand...
I've noticed the same when I've tried setting it to the other mode. I could access info, etc, but it was no use in downloading images. Mass Storage is the default and should be used for downloading images and it should do so automatically. I use Lightroom 4 and, when it works normally, Lightroom 4 opens and automatically renders the images on my camera. Then I click Import in Lightroom and it saves them to my computer. Of course, if one doesn't have Lightroom or a similarly functioning image editor, you'll get a dialog asking which of several options you'd like to use, including viewing the files in a folder, etc.

This business with the USB ports has been very sporadic. It started out happening every once in a while, but most of the time, everything behaved as expected. Gradually, it became less and less reliable and the ports that would work varied. Sometimes a port that didn't recognize the camera would later recognize it, even immediately after rejecting the camera. There doesn't seem to be any consistency to it at all, until today, when I need to install the new firmware update,. Then it decides not to allow access to the camera at all, from any USB port, and, counting the USB hub, that's seven USB ports in all.
Click to expand...
You have tried a different USB cable haven't you?

--
.
Click to expand...
There is no different USB cable. You're forgetting that the smaller end is not a regular USB plug and it was made specifically for the NEX.
Click to expand...
What I meant was, are you sure the USB cable is OK?

It's a standard mini USB type, not made specifically for the NEX.

--
.
 
Last edited:
Agreed. They're less common now but that was standard USB for small devices like cameras, portable HDD's, speakers, etc. for a long time. The industry has mostly moved to micro-USB now (except Apple of course, they aren't good with standards as a rule). If it's Windows you're using, try removing the device in the device manager if it's not being recognised. it could depend on the Windows version as well - many people are still using XP which is at least a decade old now so you should expect some issues there. Failing that how old is your PC? If it's a 5 year old ThinkPad or Vaio then it should just work, if's a 2 year old HP or Dell then you might want to replace it because they generally start falling apart within the first 3 years (actually, in my experience HP's tend to last about 3 months...). You get what you pay for in this world :)

Finally, working for LR isn't the same as working as the device manufacturer intended. LR expects to see a removable drive AFAIK so if you don't set it up like that it won't see it automatically but Windows Vista and later and the Sony software will know how to deal with it. It all depends on your workflow, what you're running and what you're trying to do.
 
Bad news on the CNET download. For such a reputable news source they have a lot of bad software. I tried installed a video transcoder from them once. Took me an hour to clean all the rubbish I didn't say yes to off my computer :(



Good luck with fixing it or getting it fixed!
 
BG454 said:
MisterBG wrote:
BG454 said:
GaryR60 wrote:
BG454 said:
MisterBG wrote:
BG454 said:
GaryR60 wrote:
BG454 said:
Jonathan_Whiteman wrote:

In my case using Mass Storage causes my NEX-5 to show up as a removable device and in Devices and Printers but you only get the properties dialogue when you click on it in Devices and Printers. When set to PTP it shows up normally in Devices and Printers and reacts with a device manufacturer page. Basically, change the setting in the Setup menu to whatever it isn't now and it should work :)
Click to expand...
I've noticed the same when I've tried setting it to the other mode. I could access info, etc, but it was no use in downloading images. Mass Storage is the default and should be used for downloading images and it should do so automatically. I use Lightroom 4 and, when it works normally, Lightroom 4 opens and automatically renders the images on my camera. Then I click Import in Lightroom and it saves them to my computer. Of course, if one doesn't have Lightroom or a similarly functioning image editor, you'll get a dialog asking which of several options you'd like to use, including viewing the files in a folder, etc.

This business with the USB ports has been very sporadic. It started out happening every once in a while, but most of the time, everything behaved as expected. Gradually, it became less and less reliable and the ports that would work varied. Sometimes a port that didn't recognize the camera would later recognize it, even immediately after rejecting the camera. There doesn't seem to be any consistency to it at all, until today, when I need to install the new firmware update,. Then it decides not to allow access to the camera at all, from any USB port, and, counting the USB hub, that's seven USB ports in all.
Click to expand...
You have tried a different USB cable haven't you?

--
.
Click to expand...
There is no different USB cable. You're forgetting that the smaller end is not a regular USB plug and it was made specifically for the NEX.
Click to expand...
What I meant was, are you sure the USB cable is OK?

It's a standard mini USB type, not made specifically for the NEX.

--
.
Click to expand...
Yes. As I said in another reply yesterday, I have verified it's not the cable by using it to successfully download photos to my iPad yesterday.
 
Leaping Carp said:
Jonathan_Whiteman wrote:

Bad news on the CNET download. For such a reputable news source they have a lot of bad software. I tried installed a video transcoder from them once. Took me an hour to clean all the rubbish I didn't say yes to off my computer :(

Good luck with fixing it or getting it fixed!
Click to expand...
Yes, and I've noticed it's gotten worse in the last year or so. I don't download that much from them, these days, but, when i did in the past, it didn't come with all these add-ons. The time before this last one, I spent, as you did, a good hour or more getting rid of some damned toolbar I didn't want.

As for my laptop, I'm afraid it's pretty much toast. I tried again later, and same thing: when I turn it on, it comes up in the same condition, locked and with the cursor frozen. Oh, well,...I've been planning to replace it with a new laptop, anyway. I hate the keyboard on the damned thing because the keys don't always register a keystrike unless I practically pound on them. So, I'm getting an "outdated" Lenovo T530, which is the only remaining make and model that still has real keys instead of these flat plastic pads. I just can't do it for about another month, though, so, until then, I'll have to do all my image processing on my iPad. Oh, well, I can always shoot JPEGs for a while. :)
 
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