How can I connect a MiniDV video camera to my laptop if it doesn't have a firewire port nor a PC card slot or express card slot for an adaptor?

There are generally speaking USB Cards which you can use to capture analog video from an RCA or SVIDEO but keep in mind this will be an analog to digital conversion. So you'll be loosing some quality in the capture. It is not idea but it can be done.

Check with your local stores. Ask for a USB video capture device.