My Canon PowerShot A480 isn't recognized by my Mac. I don't have a memory card reader on my comp - oddly, an old no name camera prompts Canon software to open as soon as it's plugged in t

You need a computer. You need to transfer the photos from the camera to the PC via the Interface Cable IFC-400PCU and the power shot software that came on the cd. You may be able to get a card reader device and plug the memory card from the camera in the correct memory card slot of the card reader and then browse the photos via the upload photos browse in facebook on the computer.
http://www.manualowl.com/m/Canon/A480/Manual/41542
http://www.canon.co.uk/Support/Consumer_Products/products/cameras/Digital_Compact/Powershot_A_series/PowerShot_A480.aspx

Try extracting the sd card and using a card reader its also much faster.

Just connected the camera at pc and search as external device... or use one external card reader in order to connected your SD Card at pc.

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.


Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program such as Picasa.

First of all, if you've edited the pictures in any way (opening a picture in a photo editing program and then saving it without making any changes counts as editing) then the camera most likely won't be able to display the images.

You can transfer files (not just pictures) to the memory card using a card reader. Plug the card into the reader and it will appear to your computer as another hard drive. Simply drag-n-drop files to it the same way you copy other files on your computer.

You don't need a driver in order to use your camera.
The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.
Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program such as iPhoto.

The simplest way is to use a card reader to download your pictures

As long as you didn't format the card your images should still be in there. Get a card reader (usually like $10) and connect this to your computer. With this you can just drag and drop the images to your desktop. Once you do that format the card on the camera you want to use it with and don't use it on any other devices. Hope this helps!

Hiram
Photo Tech Repair Service
110 East 13th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-673-8400

Jessica, this occurred because you didn't intitially format the card in the camera when you first got it. It will work fine at first, but eventually what you experienced will happen. But you don't want to format your card just yet as it will erase it.
Instead, to recover your photos, you'll need to use a card reader with your computer to see if the files can be copied directly and saved to your computer. If you don't already have a reader, don't fret as they are very inexpensive. For example, here's one that I use that is very good. You may also purchase card readers at your local store, such as W or K mart, but they may be a bit more expensive at brick and mortar stores. With the card reader, you insert the card into the reader, then insert the reader into your USB port. The card then shows up as a hard drive, that you can copy and paste the missing photos from onto your computer. Also recommend using the reader in the future to download your photos from your camera, as it is very fast and relatively error free.
Now if by chance your photos still don't show up with the reader, don't fret as they're still there on the card. You'll just need to use recovery software with your reader to get them. It's very easy, here's a listing of very good freeware for that purpose.
Finally AFTER you've recovered your photos, format the card IN YOUR CAMERA using the camera's format feature. This will rejuvenate the card so it will be good as new, but it will also erase it. So again, only do this AFTER you've recovered the photos.
Good Luck!

You might want to consider NOT connecting the camera to the computer.

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.

Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive. Or you can use iPhoto or any other photo cataloging program.