Good advice Mark- The thing is, yes it has worked, and i've eduted a lot of stuff whilst using it. BUT, i have had this trouble before, where the cancorder isn't recognised and i can't go any further, but normally this could be rectified if i moved the cam whilst it was attached, and at some position or angle it would be recognised. I realise it shouldn't be doing this, but as long as i got it to work.....
I've downloaded the lated grivers from Creative, so i guess I'm up to date with those.
The prob i have is that i do have a firewire card, which i got bundled with studio S/w. Thinking along your lines i attempted to install it, but when i slotted it in, i dont think it went in all the way- not as much so as other cards. was i not pushing hard enough. I guess if i could get this card in it may solve ma probs....