Help! Sony Cybershot DSC-S40 won't load to XP Home

Step One:
Reread the instructions on how to connect the camera to the computer, paying particular attention to what mode the camera should be in.

Step Two:
If the Sony instructions don't say what mode the camera shoud be in:

Make sure that the camera is turned on and in "Playback" mode (the mode where you can view the photos on the LCD), before connecting it to the computer.

In the Device Manager, scroll down to the bottom and see if you find a device called "Universal Serial Bus controller".
And inside that device you should at least find "USB Root Hub".

If you do not have both of those devices, you need to contact Dell for instructions on how to load your motherboard USB drivers.

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If that checks out, then find a friend with a computer with the XP operating system and connect your camera to that computer.

If it does not work on that computer, then it is time to return the camera and get a replacement.