USB cable.
The card reader comes with a cable.Can't use it without one.

The memory card is a compact flash card which either fits in the card reader of your laptop (if you have one) or a USB card reader that you plug in. When you have downloaded your designs onto the card, you take the card out of the reader and put it into the adaptor which goes into the side of the MC9700. Sounds complicated but is really very simple! (Promise)

do you have a slot on your computer for a memory flash card to fit into ? you can get a card reader from Jessops that fits intot eh slot at the side of the machine
If you have no slot for the compact flash memory card then again Jessops will be able to help with a card reader that actually fits into a usb port Yo do not ned a large flash card in fact a 1 mb will be enough but you can use a larger one it will hold more but it will take longer for the machine to open it.

check out E bay number 180456866653 this is a card reader that fits into the side of the machine the small flash card fits into it. you can also get a usb multi card reader from E bay for less than £3.00 you can then put your designs onto the card via the customiser and put it into the reader and push it into the machine and away you go lady. i hope this will help you resolve the problem. annie in the Uk
( worcestershire)

Dear Sherry,,,, i just had the same problem... i have the memory card reader too and just got a new acer computer also. I bought a usb adapter from the sorce. It plugs into a usb on your computer at one end and the other end has the points to plug into your card reader cord... when you are setting this up you have to slow the port speed down. If you have any problem let me know. I"ll send you my email privite.. I had called janome and she said it would not work and it did.... :)