I don't think its that. I always use supplied power adapter when copying
video data from my camera.

I've now tried it on my home laptop, another work laptop all with the same
result. The firewire card installs fine but nothing when I plug in the camera.

I'm thinking its a driver problem but not sure where or what to try as far
as camcorder drivers. Every other camera that I've ever connected to XP Pro
has had a driver.