Comments on: Powerless!

Question: Powerless!

jacobsee — Tue, 26 Oct 2004 17:39:16 -0800

Digital Camera repair: I have a Canon S-40 that has stopped working. It just doesn't power on. What is the best way to go about repairing it? Do local camera shops do this kind of work these days or will this entail sending it in to Canon world headquarters? If you think I should just pitch it and buy a new one, what do you think of this one?

By: kindall

kindall — Tue, 26 Oct 2004 17:46:12 -0800

You should check the camera's manual to find out where you have to send it for repairs. Many manufacturers have at least regional service centers, but some service centers may handle only film products and others only digital. If you don't have the manual, check Canon's Web site.

By: notsnot

notsnot — Tue, 26 Oct 2004 17:54:08 -0800

Don't pitch it. Send it to me. ;)

It's got the sliding cover that turns the camera on, right? See if you or one of your more adventurous friends can snap the cover off, and see if there's not some sort of switch that is activated by the cover. I had an Olympus that didn't retract the lens, and fiddling with the cover made it work again.

By: fishfucker

fishfucker — Tue, 26 Oct 2004 19:48:29 -0800

yeah, I've had a digicam go all pear-shaped on me and I "fixed" it by opening it up and cleaning the contacts.

of course, I'm real clumsy with my stuff and the camera had suffered through plenty of indignities over the two years I had it, including getting soaked with water and being dropped multiple times. if you've been more careful it's possible that some part has just gone kablooie.

Still, nothing's broke until you take it apart and can't put it back together. *then* take it to the shop.

By: jacobsee

jacobsee — Tue, 26 Oct 2004 20:38:14 -0800

I've actually already taken it apart and cleaned it and put it back together with no change. Getting it back together was no mean feat.

I wouldn't be surprised if it had something to do with that damn sliding cover though. For the last year at least it had become very sensitive so that just touching the cover would cause it to power down.

On second thought, I think this is something different now. Even trying to turn it on to view mode doesn't work (which has nothing to do with the sliding cover).

so it sounds like some of you are implying that it might be worth fixing?

By: notsnot

notsnot — Wed, 27 Oct 2004 19:59:56 -0800

Really, it depends on how cheap you are, and how much you like taking things apart. For me, the answers are "very" and "a lot", so I'd keep playing with it.

Another thing to look at are the battery terminals. If they're corroded or some shit got in there, nothing would power on.

By: jacobsee

jacobsee — Thu, 28 Oct 2004 05:26:16 -0800

thanks and I'll keep you in mind if I decide to get rid of it :)

By: jacobsee

jacobsee — Thu, 04 Nov 2004 11:11:40 -0800

more advice here -- mostly, don't bother