I have the same problem as you. My pc will not reconise the camera.
I have a PCI firewire card 1394a.
From a previous reply on the forum I noted that the cable may not be compatable with the camera.
My camera works with the i link on my DVD recorder. So I am going to purchace a new fire wire cable for my computer. The pins on the camera connection are more recessed on the i link cable that connects to my DVD recorder and it works
How did you manage with your new fire wire card ?