Computer doesn't recognize USB device (camera)

ALTERNATE WAY TO TRANSFER PHOTOS AND VIDEOS TO A COMPUTER
If your photos and videos are stored on the memory card, then remove the memory card from the camera and insert it into an USB memory card reader. Connect this USB memory card reader and memory card into the USB port of your working computer. Your computer will see this as an USB Mass Storage Device or an external storage device; you can then open the folder on the memory card and copy the photos and to your computer. Memory card reader is a handy device and is inexpensive. You can copy photos from other cameras and you can also download photos off your memory card to someone else's computer without the need of installing any programs.

Consider NOT connecting your camera to your computer.

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.

Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use iPhoto or any other photo cataloging program.

In the short term you can take the memory card out and use a card reader - at least that will let you see the pictures.

Hi,
Try this first turn off your computer using shut down or pressing the power button and then unplug it from the wall outlet. Let it sit for about 30 minutes and then plug it back in.
You will not be getting the message 'USB Device not recognized' .

Hope this helps .

Consider NOT connecting your camera to your computer.

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.

Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program.

Check the Canon website under support and see if there is a USB download fix for either a PC or a firmware fix for the camera. Also, sometimes when the USB cord is plugged in the camera and the power is still on, when you disconnect it from the computer or camera. it's like adding a little spike or surge and it seriously damages the USB chip inside the camera. Good luck and maybe you can restore it again. An alternative to the USB function working, is pull out the media card and use an external USB media reader to read and download your pictures. Hope this is some help.   

MY CAMERA IS A CANON POWER SHOT S400 DIGITALELPH AND IT HAS A MEMORY ERROR. WHAT IS WRONG?

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It's an improperly installed driver for you device. Try going to safe mode and reinstall your camera drivers. Then try plugging it in first while the computer boots to see if it recognizes the attached camera...

I had this same problem and it is a problem with the actual camera where the usb cord plugs in. Luckily there is a cheap solution - you can go to radio shack and get a memory card reader for about $15 (or some newer advanced all-in one printers and computers already come with them) and take the memory card out and insert it into the reader. You can transfer the pics from the reader to your computer. All you need for the reader is an available USB port. It is very simple and I have found it to be a better way since it doesn't eat up batteries either.