Welcome to My Page "DIGITAL TIPS"…Below I have listed some of the more common failures that are given to us. Obviously this won't cover everything but it’s a good start. Have a look before sending your camera; you might find you only have to replace the batteries……

SYMPTOM

POSSIBLE CAUSE

ACTION REQUIRED

WHO?

Error Code "System"

Corrupted card

Replace with good quality new one

User

Error Code "E18"

Sand or impact damage to lens area 

Repair/ Replace lens unit

Repairer

No image on LCD in camera mode or play back, images can be seen on computer, 

LCD is damaged 

Remove and replace LCD

Repairer

No image on LCD and no image recorded to card

Lens jammed shut, or CCD unit damaged

Repair lens or replace CCD

Repairer
Camera will turn on, but turns off within a couple of seconds Low or cheap batteries Replace batteries or charge User

Can't get images to transfer to the computer 

 Connecting cable or another program is clashing with the camera

Replace connecting cable , Remove program and do a clean install

User
Lens Bent & wont park Impact or pressure damage (normally when switched on) Repair or replace the lens unit

Repairer

Loose screws

Extended aircraft travel

Replace damaged parts. Re-tighten screws etc

Repairer

Camera will not communicate with or accept the memory card 

Bent Card Reader pins 

Replace or repair if possible 

Repairer
Dots or smudges on images, always in the same place on the image  Dirt of fungi on the CCD or rear element of lens  Clean 

Repairer
Error message on LCD's, Camera fails to release/operate normally

Electronic failure

Repair/replace parts as required, full set up

Repairer

Special Notes :-

Here are the 4 main common categories of damage to  digital cameras

  1. Impact and crushing the unit being dropped and or crushed in a handbag or pocket resulting in lens damage or LCD and CCD breakage 
  2. Sand resulting in the lens, slide covers and switches jamming 
  3. Force Card Reader pins damaged by the card being forced in or incorrectly inserted or socket for cables damaged 
  4. Water or liquid damage being caused by a water bottle leaking in a backpack or splashed. It's also incredible how many get dropped into water. 

It is rare that the camera fails without some external influence, the camera is very electronic but the lens area is mechanical and more intricate than most compact film cameras and for this reason are in them selves delicate.

Irrespective of the damage caused to a camera it's always worth getting an experts opinion to see if its worth repairing or not. Some are cheap to repair and some are not. Spare parts prices and the supply of parts vary from non existent to plentiful. Always talk to your repairer about getting it fixed fist, then to a retailer to see if you want to get it fixed or replace the unit.  

Warnings :-

  1. Never use a power supply from another product
  2. Never use a connecting cord that does not fit or was not supplied with the product, if it don't slide in, don't force it 
  3. Always use good batteries (rechargeable are normally preferred )
  4. If at the beach keep it wrapped up in plastic and out of the sun, sand in the micro gears etc will render a camera useless in seconds or weeks. It only takes one grain of sand in the wrong place and the camera is inoperable.