I have an application that captures images using firewire cameras
(DirectX based app). This app works fine in Win2K but the images are
split into half / shaky in XP SP2. I use an Adaptec Firewire card -
PCMCIA in a DELL D600 laptop.

Online research shows that XP SP2 messed up firewire interface and
there is a patch. This patch does not solve the problem for me.

The images are distorted in DELL, HP, SONY laptops. This implies that
it is not specific to type of laptop.

Surprisingly it does work fine in some DELL laptops (all are with the
same configuration).

The problem occurs with a variety of cameras (this rules out that this
is not a camera specific problem).

The problem does not occur with USB 2.0 cameras.

I was looking for a USB-to-Firewire adapter to check whether that
solves the problem, but can not find a product that meets the needs.

(alwar)

Your problem description and debugging attempts are good.  When you
say it works fine with some Dell machines with the "same"
configuration please consider the possibility that these machines
differ in subtle ways.

One such subtle way is the codecs installed on the various machines. 
A codec is a type of software driver used for Audio and Video files. 
I believe that in this context "video" is given an expansive
definition that includes "stills" and "frame capture" capabilities. 
Codecs can be bundled with and installed as part of seemingly
unrelated product installs.  Old codecs that conflict with your
application might remain from old software that imported them onto a
subset of your machine testbed.

There is no simple and reliable way or native instrumentation to
determine all the codecs that are installed on a Windows eXPerience
machine.  A piece of nifty freeware will allow you to explore (and
rule out) the dimension of codecs.

http://www.updatexp.com/sherlock-codec-detective.html


You can save the TXT file to a file and then email, print or archive it.
You can painstakingly compare the output of the "good" machine to some
of the "busted" machines and look for differences.

The application problem may have nothing to do with codecs.

If some of your XP configs are busted in the Realm of Codecs then you
are in for the hassle of your life.