"Unable to initialize video deck" inquiry

I am new to Mac and FCE, so I ask for some slack...
I am trying to get video from my Panasonic AG DVX 100 into FCE.
About my system: IMac 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with OS X 10.5.2. I have FCE 4 on this computer, not an upgrade of earlier program, but version 4, straight out of the box. I know FCE is working, because I have edited a hour long project on it.
Here's my issue: With the first project complete, I want to import some new video into FCE and start another project. I connect the camera to the Mac via firewire (the white cable that I bought at the Mac store). When I go to "File" in FCE, I go to capture, and I get the following message:
*"Unable to initialize video deck. You may still use capture now."*
I continue by selecting "capture now." The capture window appears with "preview disabled" on the color bars, "no communication" at the bottom of the window. I hit "capture now" in the bottom right and I get the following message:
*"Attempt to capture video without a video device selected. Please select a video device in your capture presets and try again."*
I can't seem to track down "capture presets" , so that's my first issue. This was not a problem the first time I captured video. While at the Mac store, we plugged the camera into other Macs, but still would not get a signal. On FC, it would recognize the camera for a second or two, then flash the "no communication" error. The Mac folks believed it was a camera video out issue.
Some additional factors:
1. it's not the video output on this particular camera. Since that Mac store visit, I hooked it up to another computer and I could see video. So I'm confident that the camera will send video through this firewire.
2. Back to my original project, I imported video into FCE using this cable and a different mini dv camera (sony). It worked with the Sony camera, but will not work with this Panasonic.
I asked another friend, a MAC/FC/Panasonic DVX 100 guy, and he has never encountered this particular error message. He believes it's some setting within the computer that can be fixed through a software patch.
I would be most grateful for insight into solving what is likely a problem others have experienced. Please keep in mind that I am new to this whole process, and will likely show this thread to the people at the Mac store during my next one-on-one class.
Thank you very much.

David:
Thanks for your suggestion. I did check the firewire to ensure it's securely in place, and it seems like it is.
I did connect this camera and this firewire into a friend's macbook, and the signal was successfully received.
So I don't think it's a "loose wire" possibility. We also checked another camera into my Mac's firewire port, and it was successful.
So for some unknown reason, this particular Mac will not recognize this particular camera.
Again, your insights are greatly appreciated.

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