Canon Camcorder Not Recognized

This is a strange occurrence. I recently purchased an e-machines multimedia computer for one of my kids. It is fully updated with SP2, all the latest updates, anti-virus, and anti-spyware. It works fine, except for one thing. When I plug my Canon Optura 100MC Camcorder into the firewire port, it is not recognized - no ding, no hardware found, nothing. Nothing new listed in device manager or my computer. The camcorder displays the DV IN message on its screen as it's supposed to. The camcorder into the firewire works fine on my other computer (same cable too). A firewire port problem? - NO, because other devices I plug into the firewire port are recognized and work perfectly, such as a Sony camcorder. In fact, I have a Pinnacle Moviebox that I plug into the firewire port and it's recognized. Then, when I plug my Canon camcorder into the Pinnacle Box, the Canon is recognized by the computer. The only problem occurs when I plug the Canon directly into that particular computer. I've been thru port settings amillion times, all is working. I've tried firewall off, nothing. There is only one firewire port. I contacted Canon and they gave me a "duh, good luck" response. I like to think I'm pretty good with these systems but this one has me baffled. Any other ideas out there?
Thanks,
Russ

 

This may sound a bit off the wall, but does the camera take still shots? and save it to a memory card? I came across a camera that wouldn't work until I put a SD memory card into it. Then it connected to the computer.

 

Thanks for the response. It takes stills just fine and there is a memory card in it. It works just fine with another computer.

 

are there any FW/driver updates for the FW port(s) or MB level driver updates?

i'd also check the CAM maker's site for anything 'new' in terms of software or FW updates.

it sounds like u've got a bunch of stuff that works off the FW port and of similar type. as a last resort, i'd attempt to kill all that stuff (clean install?) and then hookup the CAM u've got trouble w/ FIRST and test it.