Why, why, why?

[Zig]

That's myself right now. I have a question regarding a camcorder, a video card, and what has happened when I try to move the data.
I'm using a Sony sx41 Handycam with a 16GB memory card. My operating system is Xp. This camcorder was first used on a cruise to document entering and leaving each port - with plans for putting together a DVD w/VS Pro. There were numerous clips recorded, yet when I went to download off the card to the laptop numerous files were broken and/or overwritten with copies of other clips on the card.
While trying to determine what I did incorrectly, I realized I may have pulled the card when the camcorder was still powered. I chaulked this up to user error.

However, last evening I sat down to download clips taken this weekend and realized there were previous captures I hadn't removed. Total files = 74 of various lengths.
Out of the 74 files, 4 were broken, and 50+ were overwritten with the same clips from the previous recordings.

My question being: Is this a sign of a faulty memory card, a problem within the download process, or a camcorder problem?
I'm at my wits end with losing footage, and can't figure out why some clips move w/o issue while others seem to "take over".

[BrianCee]

Well I can certainly understand your frustration - do I assume that this is the first time you have tried to copy video clips to your laptop - that is it has never worked properly .

In your position first thing I would try is to record some short videos to the internal memory - I note that camcorder has 8Gb of internal memory so you could record quite a bit for trials - then try transferring from the internal memory to your laptop - this would prove if the fault was in the camera.

If all was well I would then borrow or buy another memory card - doesn't have to be a 16Gb one just 2 or 4 for tests - try that -if that works you have a faulty 16Gb card - if it doen't work the camera has a fault writing to the card.

I note that you say you removed the card from the camera - was this to transfer the videos via a card reader - is this what did not work ?- have you tried transferring the videos using th USB cable and software that came with the camera - what happens then ?

Perhaps you could also clarify what 'broken' means in respect to your files - is it just a case that you can't transfer them - do you get any sort of error message like "Unknown Format" or "Windows is unable to open this file" or just nothing

[Zig]

This is a random problem. I've successfully transfered files previously - I'm beginning to wonder if the amount of files transfered has something to do with it.

I don't cable for anything media related. My laptop has a card reader installed that is used with Sony cards and SD cards. (Truthfully, I don't even know where the cables for my cameras and camcorder.)