update 2015FEB:
I turned on developer mode and activated USB debugging... and the connection to the Android device appears to be working now...
linux mint user question: how to fix MTP device error when connecting Android Device?
Please, linux haters, post elsewhere.
I set my device to load as PTP but I can't see my whole Android file system.
I read up here:
http://askubuntu.com/questions/320561...
but no joy on MTP fix.