Can't connect Canon camera to firewire (61883 device class error)

Hi , Basically I have a problem connecting DV camcorders to Windows XP for
DV capture.
I have a Canon MV650i & a MVX25i and although Windows XP recognises the
devices, they show up in Device manager with the yellow exclamation.
Apparently no drivers should be necessary- and none are available for
download.
When the devices try to install a 'class 61883 device' error finally
appears.(with a message 'the data is invalid')

I have tried 2 different Firewire PCI cards- on 2 different PC's- no
success. (the cards show up correctly on Device manager)
The card/camera worked on Windows Me prior to me upgrading to XP, so I
suspect windows is incorrectly handling the device installation, but with no
manufacturers software available (or even supplied with the camera), I don't
know what else to try.

What does the 61883 device error mean?
What else can I try?

ps If there is a better forum for this problem then please point me to it.

regards
Andrew