Thank you, Mick.  I agree with you and feel sure the answer lies within the camera - some setting or other.  I checked the SD card wasn't "locked", have scrolled through the menus in the hope of finding one with a likely option but have had no success.

I can't help feeling that the answer isn't that far away or difficult.  But it doesn't seem to be very obvious!

I appreciate your help on this one.

Best wishes,

Gill

<it's always good to try out the simple solutions before we go researching more difficult ones >

Oh heck, I fear I'm going to present one of those difficult ones!

Mick, you're right, I'm not using PMB.  I didn't install PMB simply because I didn't feel I needed another piece  of software clogging up my computer and offering to perform the same  tricks that existing programs already do.  All I want (?need) to do is to transfer the files from camera to computer quickly and efficiently and being a creature of habit, was hoping I'd be able to do this as I've always done...import the files via Picasa into the folder of my choice, creating a thumbnail as I go so that I can find them again.  As I import the files, I usually opt for "delete imported files from camera" within Picasa - though sometimes, when importing to my laptop, I choose to leave them all on the memory stick until I get home, when I can import them all onto my desktop (and get them backed up automatically)

I take lots of photographs - at least ten a day - and upload one of them each evening to my 365 blog, which is why  "quick and efficient" is key here.  I can do this directly from Picasa - and whilst I'm not particularly wedded to that particular program forever, it's fulfilling my needs for the time being.

So, although I can still import photos from my HX9 using Picasa, that option of "delete imported files" (or not) is greyed out and unavailable to me.  I can see that installing PMB on my computer could be an option, but I'm not sure that I'm ready to change my workflow right now...my T900 is still working brilliantly (love it!)  and I can carry on taking my daily photos with it and importing/deleting as I have been doing rather than use my HX9.  Trouble is, I'm a bit of a dog with a bone The more a mere machine tells me I can't do something, the more I want to prove it wrong 

I really appreciate your suggestions on this - and your prompt response.  I'm not trying to be obstructive honest!), but merely hoping to fit my new (and really terrific) camera into my life with the minimum of upheaval!

Best wishes,

Gill

Mick, I appreciate your efforts and perseverance with such a pesky forum member as me!  I don't know whether to feel pleased that I am not missing a really obvious trick here or sorry that it's not more easily resolved

We're a Sony household, so yes, it's eay peasy to whip out the SD card and slot it into the side of my Vaio.  Interestingly, when I do that, all the options are open to me in Picasa - just the same as when I connect my T900.  So, I suppose that's the confirmation if we needed any, that it's the actual HX9 which is giving us the challenge?

So, why don't I simply plug in that SD card all the time to import my photos?  Well, previous experience with an earlier T series camera (T70? sorry, can't remember) makes me anxious about using that small and comparatively flimsy catch on the battery/card slot frequently.  Remember, I'm doing this every day, at least once, and for the want of the tiniest bit of plastic which broke on that old T-series camera, I had to replace it.  I'd rather than didn't happen again and whilst I'm comfortable opening up that catch to replace the battery and so on, would really rather not be opening and shutting it to pull the card in and out more often than I need.

Anyway, I'm sure you and your colleagues love getting the occasional challenge (!) - please know that I am very thankful for all thoughts and of course, look forward to the answer

Glad I'm not the only stubborn one around here!!

Thanks!!

Gill

Mick, this one is going to run and run.

this morning, I took three photos and went to upload them to Picasa as always.  Connected my HX9 with the wire and went through the import procedure in Picasa, noting that those option buttons were greyed out as usual.  When I went to clcik "import", another dialogue box opened with "are you sure you want to delete imported photos?" (even though that option had been greyed out).  I went ahead and imported - and the photos were deleted from my camera just as I'd like to be able to do every time.

So, it did it this time but I have no idea how/why.  I've attached a screenshot of that page.

My computer moves in mysterious ways.  I'd just like to be in control!!

Gill