K100D banding problem

You're saying the USB computer connection on your camera is broken - and you don't know if it was broken before it went away? Or are you saying it doesn't work with your computer which is different.
How old is your computer and does it fully support USB?
Why on earth would you use a reader to get your pictures - I'd have thought it was inconvenient and in this a potential cause of the problem. Can you see the banding on the screen of the camera?
I think you need to get answers to all these questions before you talk to Pentax otherwise they'll just say send it back and we'll sort it but quite possibly without getting an actual remedy for you.
Mike

Using a card reader is the most efficient way to download your pictures, but card readers can be faulty, as can computers.

Do you only have one USB connection?

In any event, it will only take a few moments to check it out and try to download from the camera.

It isn't really Pentax's area to solve computer problems so you really need to check it out. After all, no point getting a different camera and then finding out you have the same problem.

John why is a card reader most efficient?

My suspicion is that the operating system is an one that requires drivers which is why I keep asking what it is. But I'm with you sort the computer problems before involving Pentax!

Mike

A card reader does not require the camera to be attached to the computer with the risk of batteries expiring during transfer, which could be a disaster. In addition, multiple cards can be transferred more easily without messing around swapping them in the camera. The card reader is always attached and available.

The transfer speed may well be higher as well.

What OS are you using? Drivers for card readers can be downloaded from the web if needed.

Speed isn't usually my main consideration when I want to get pictures off the camera. If there are lots of them, and I want to get another card into the camera quickly, swapping the cards and using a reader for the one that's now out of the camera is the clear choice.

However, for a couple of shots, connecting the camera to the computer is often more convenient.

This all begs the question though, which of the doors is likely to wear more quickly, on the K10D for instance? If you're swapping cards in and out frequently, or alternatively opening the USB door all the time, you might want to do whichever causes less wear.

Why so? Is there evidence that files on the card get corrupted with half-completed copy operations?

If power is interrupted during transfer there is a risk of the data on the card being corrupted and even the card becoming unusable.

I have seen people getting away with it, but it's definitely a risk and not recommended.

Just winding back to my question to John - of course you're right that a reader is vastly more convenient for multiple cards, I never take that many photographs in one hit so that hadn't occurred to me.

My thoughts on drivers go back to the oiriginal question - if for example he's using NT or win 98 then he'll need drivers for any USB device and they were far from reliable in my experience.

Mike

I agree, card readers can be troublesome, so it's worth checking out a rerplacement reader (minimal cost) before returning a camera (large inconvenience cost even if under warranty).

Well, thanks for all your helpful replies folks.
I did speak to Pentax and like mikew said, they just suggested sending it back.
I'm sure my PC is up to the job, I'm running win xp pro with 4 USB2 connections.
Johnriley, I'm going to try your suggestion of swapping card readers before sending it back, otherwise, like has already been mentioned, it could go back and the problem not be remedied.

XP Pro in any sensible PC should be fine so that's one issue less.

As you say try another card reader.

Mike

Tried a hish-speed usb 2 card reader, with the same results.
I've sent the camera back to pentax now, let's see what they come up with.

Once again, thanks for all your suggestions and help

sorry to but into the thread... I would be interested to know what the outcome was to this problem.
I have just got my K100D back from Pentax, as the USB port was broken (it pushed into the camera body when I went to download pics... although under warranty Pentax said there was evidence of impact, which is a lie as the camera has never been dropped/banged etc.... but that is whole new issue)
yesterday I happily snapped away, and had no problems at all... I took pics this morning, again no problems... this afternoon however I have horizontal banding You can see the banding when viewing the pics on the screen, and they print out too....
Really do not want to be without the camera again as it's like losing a limb
just wondered if Pentax found a problem?

Thanks in advance

Ok so I sent the camera back to Pentax, and YEY they were speedy in repairing, and only had the camera for 6 days. But BOOOOOO they haven't actually solved the problem

It says that there has been a standard PCB repair, but I have taken a few quick snaps this morning and although a couple of pics are ok, the others still have red bading on them... not happy!

Like someone else said, I have lost any faith I had in Pentax... really starting to regret not going for a Canon instead