[Ferrari]

Hi everyone,

I spend most my time over in System Building, XP, and Hardware forums,

Not sure if the hardware forum is where I need to be or here. My dad wants some pictures off of his cell phone. I have a usb cable that fits his phone and my computer, so I plugged it in and the found new hardware wizard popped up a couple of times actually and went through the installation successfully everytime(each time was named something different). But it doesn't show up under My Computer like how my digital camera does, or for example my flash drive.

Is there something extra needed like Software from Verizon Wireless? Do you access the pictures or the phone differently than how you do for a flash drive or digital camera?

Thanks and I look forward to your response.

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What type of phone? One way to do it is via a memory card - most, if not all, phones nowadays have a memory card slot for an SD micro card or something similar. You could then copy the pictures on to that. We did that with my daughter's Samsung when we to replace it. The problem with that is you'd either have to get a memory card to USB device to transfer the pictures to his PC, or take it to a photo place that can read the card and transfer it to a USB stick or CD.

Beyond that, it would be necessary to know the type of phone. Did your dad get any software with it? There may be a software interface that allows the phone/PC interaction to take place. If he doesn't have that, it may be available from the manufacturer's site.

[sari]

What type of phone? One way to do it is via a memory card - most, if not all, phones nowadays have a memory card slot for an SD micro card or something similar. You could then copy the pictures on to that. We did that with my daughter's Samsung when we to replace it. The problem with that is you'd either have to get a memory card to USB device to transfer the pictures to his PC, or take it to a photo place that can read the card and transfer it to a USB stick or CD.

Beyond that, it would be necessary to know the type of phone. Did your dad get any software with it? There may be a software interface that allows the phone/PC interaction to take place. If he doesn't have that, it may be available from the manufacturer's site.

[Major Payne]

Going along with what Sari said, Wal-Mart has many card readers you can use if the camera is storing the images on a card compatible with their readers.

An alternative, depending on the phone and service allowed, is to email the photos to yourself. Also, many cell-phone providers provide a user account on line which allows you to directly upload images from your sell-phone to the account. Once sent to the online account, you can download to your computer.

My sister had similar problem since she had no email service. T-Mobile provides a send to Album utility on their web site where we were able to download to the computer. Might check Verizon's online service for your account.

[sari]

Ron, I know that Verizon allows its customers to upload contacts from their phone, which is useful if you're doing a replacement, but I've had to replace both of my daughters' phones (they need tougher phones for teenagers!), and unfortunately they don't offer a data backup - that's why I had to backup my daughter's pictures to a card. It would be a useful feature.

[rcramm]

I use to work for a cell phone store and the best and easiest way is to just use a Mini SD Card. Though if your computer has bluetooth that could also be a way to transfer the pictures your looking to transfer. Almost always when you connect your phone you will need some kind of special software for the brand of phone that it is. At least with my experiences.

*fixed spelling errors* (I should proof read before I post) haha

Edited by rcramm, 24 March 2009 - 11:00 AM.

[Major Payne]

Wasn't suggesting to upload because of a replacement, but to use the provider's free customer service album storage which allows upload between the phone and their account online and downloads from the account to the computer. No special software needed and no additional cards need top be bought and installed for photo storage. It allows you to use your own phone and the free photo storage. So easy to use and nothing about trying to connect phone to cpmputer which takes away the worries of getting the right cable to connect phone to USB port and worrying about correct drivers and/or software some phones require to do this.

[BHowett]

Unfortunately Verizon doesn’t offer any type of data/picture storage for their customers that I know of. They only allow updating and downloading of your contact list. The SD card with additional card reader will work, or you could just email them from the phone, and then save them on the PC.

[Ferrari]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I ended up just sending the pictures as a picture message to my sisters Blackberry. (dads phone doesn't email) Then she then emailed the pictures to me. I knew that I could do it this way, but I just wasn't sure about this...

But it doesn't show up under My Computer like how my digital camera does, or for example my flash drive.

Is there something extra needed like Software from Verizon Wireless? Do you access the pictures or the phone differently than how you do for a flash drive or digital camera?

I don't understand why it isn't recognized like my digital camera is or how my jump drive is in "My Computer". I don't ever use software to access my camera or jump drive, I just pull the files off by opening the "Drive" for it up and copying and pasting or cut and paste.

Why isn't the phone done this way? See what I mean now?

Edit: As in Start >> My Computer >> Double click the Device >> you see the files/photos.

Edited by Ferrari, 26 March 2009 - 05:22 PM.

[sari]

I understood from the beginning what you meant, but understand phones have pictures, contacts, calendars, ringtones, etc. That's why there's usually some sort of interface software so you can manage the data on the phone. You're not dealing with a directory of jpegs that your computer will be able to read.

[Ferrari]

Ahhh, that makes sense. Well, they should make the pictures part seperate so you can do it that way!

[123Runner]

On my samsung when I plug it in, it locates new hardware and says it is ready to use.
I do not get a "drive" in my computer till I go to the phone under the tools option and click on USB connection.

So different things are done on different phones in order to get the info from it.

[Ferrari]

Thanks 123runner, I will give that a look. This phone is a motorola, but it may have a similar option.

Thanks everyone!!

[Cold Titanium]

Maybe BitPim will help?

[Jott37743]

Maybe BitPim will help?

For future references Bit Pim will probably do the trick, but I would suggest that you use it to only open the phones file system and copy the files, there are too many options that can ruin your phone if you don't know what you are doing. As far as verizon goes they of course have their own software on the phones that they use that often kills many of the phones built in features. You can buy a software bundle from them that includes a usb cable for your phone. It normally allows transfer of MP3's and I believe pictures as well. As stated in previous posts the best way to go if your phone is capable is a memory card.