About cameras not mounting on the desktop in Tiger (10.4.3)

Question

Information for those here who have problems with their cameras or chip readers no longer mounting on the desktop.
This has happened here too, with a Nikon D50 connected to an iMac G5 iSight 20". At first, I thought it was a lock file problem, caused by me forgetting and disconnecting the camera without first ejecting the desktop icon. But, I now think the problem is more likely caused by upgrading to 10.4.3, since I spoke with AppleCare today.
I was told that the 10.4.3 upgrade says (somewhere) that due to changes in iSync, cameras will no longer be mounted on the desktop. I made the observation that many users of digital still cameras prefer to transfer images from the camera (or chip) using the Finder. The operator said he would escalate this issue - he didn't know why this might have been changed, but seemed to understand that it would be an issue for a number of people.
Personally, I'm confused by the whole arrangement, which seems most un-Mac like: image handling prefs are actually set in Image Capture, despite the fact that the default app that launches when connecting a camera is iPhoto. Now, it seems, iSync is being brought into the frame (please excuse the pun!).
Why can't the action be defined in a General Preference pane, where it would be more easily found? Well, the answer is that it surely could be - and I would suggest that it should be. And I think the prefs should also include an option to have the camera/flash chip mounted on the desktop, for access in Finder too.
On a final note, the Nikon D50 is, I was told, not in the list of cameras supported by Tiger. Yet, when I checked with Nikon, they do not issue any drivers for the D50 and said that the drivers in Tiger are "D-series camera drivers" and, as such, are compatible with the new D50. Unfortunately, a lot of my time was wasted, because the AppleCare rep repeatedly wanted me to accept that the problem was due to the fact that this model of camera is not supported. This was despite the fact that I advised him of the fact that there are a number of threads here in the discussion forums, with users mentioning that they've had exactly the same issue with a variety of different cameras, of many brands.
I'll report back, as and when I hear anything further from the escalation of this issue.
Nigel

Answer 1

You have tried a lot of things, all correct, but have you repaired permissions since reinstalling Flash?
Repairing permissions is important, and should always be carried out both before and after any software installation or update.
Go to Disk Utility (this is in your Utilities Folder in your Application folder) and click on the icon of your hard disk (not the one with all the numbers).
In First Aid, click on Repair Permissions.
This only takes a minute or two in Tiger, but much longer in Leopard.
Background information here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751
and here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302672
An article on troubleshooting Permissions can be found here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2963
By the way, you can ignore any messages about SUID or ACL file permissions, as explained here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1448?viewlocale=en_US
If you were having any serious problems with your Mac you might as well complete the exercise by repairing your hard disk as well. You cannot do this from the same start-up disk. Reboot from your install disk (holding down the C key). Once it opens, select your language, and then go to Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Select your hard disk as before and click Repair.
Once that is complete reboot again from your usual start-up disk.
Also, how much RAM do you have? Some older G4's can struggle with today's streamed flash content.