WOW!!! I should ask Matt to translate into English - but I still don't think I would understand...
Thanks all - I've just ordered my card reader, and will probably format the card in the camera when I have made backups.

Thanks again - I'll format as suggested, once I've backed up to memory stick / flash drive

Thanks for this. I am not familiar with card readers. On 'Picstop' website there are several - I'm looking at SanDisk MobileMate SD+ 5-in-1 Reader / Writer, at £10.90. Presumably this will plug into USB port and allow hi-speed downloading & deleting??

Hi - I've been using my S40 for over a year with no problems. Now when I connect the USB cable to the camera and then to the USB port on my pc, the pc VDU switches off and the message 'No Signal' is displayed. Switching the camera on makes no difference - and the lense actually activcates and extends (which it did n't before). When I disconnect the USB cable the VDU comes back to life - but warns that there has been a power surge to the USB port, which must be 'reset' to avoid damage???
I can take the SD memory card out of the camera and plug direct into my Canon Pixma MP130. Downloading takes ages - and I cna NOT then delete images from the memory card, as I am advised that it is 'Write protected'.
Has anyone else seen this problem please??