Canon S50 Memory Card Error

[CANONS50USER]

Hi,

Help please?

I was able to successfully shoot some pics on my memory card, then it was full. I took it out, and put a new one in. I now am getting the message ,

"memory card error". In the manual, it says that CF card has experienced an anomaly, but no info on what to do. I have three different memory cards, the orig from canon 32 meg, a 128meg sans card, and a 512mb viking card. (all type I). I tried each of these cards, even the original one that worked before, and I get the error. Tried unseating battery and card, and ensuring its in properly, same error.

Also, when you first open lens cover, nothing happens, if you jiggle the auto to pgm, or wait about 5 secs, it turns on, then no dials are functional, not menu etc, then you get memory card error. You are unable to access any of the submenus to do things like format the card etc, nothing works.

Does this just seem to be a lemon, or are there any other diagnostics thigns that I can do? I'm even trying taking battery out for an hour to see if there is anything in memory but I'm doubtful this will work. Battery is fully charged, and memory cards are new, or full. The original full memory card does not come back with memory card full but memory card error.

Thank you very much.

[PeterS45]

Have you tried formatting the card using an usb card reader in your PC? Worked fine for me, but don't forget to reformat it again in your camera before using it!

[CANONS50USER]

the cards are viewable in the computer. Also, one of the cards that did contain images (before it now shows the error), has viewable jpg images that can be downloaded on the computer.

when you put "any" memory card in the camera, it gives the error, that is the original canon memory card, a sandisk card , and a viking card, same error, no diagnoistics for this.

THanks.

[pblevitt]

I had a similar probem on a card with two corrupted photo's, put card in - got memory card error. Turned camera to review and formatted that way.

Hope it helps

[PYoung2493]

If you're getting memory card error with a Canon S50 and have reformatted the card with the same error message. Try another memory card. If that doesn't work, look at the bottom of the memory card slot, you probably bent one or more of the contactor pins. Use a small screwdriver and very, very carefully straigten out the pin and put the memory card back in. That should do the trick. From now on, use a USB cable to download your photos, don't pull the card out anymore as the pin is probably weaker than before and can break. Then you'll be in real trouble.

[p20789]

http://www.zlk.com/canoncarderror.html

[ifan]

Same , I already change 2 CF because a same manner. 2 times replaced CF because same problem. Today replaced a broken CF to a new one. But next month a new one become error . Already format by computer and by camera software. But doesn't work. As a memory card , it's work if we used by Card reader. Some times there are message at camera " E30" when we turn on the camera. any body have experiences for this situation ???

thx

[ifan]

Same , I already change 2 CF because a same manner. 2 times replaced CF because same problem. Today replaced a broken CF to a new one. But next month a new one become error . Already format by computer and by camera software. But doesn't work. As a memory card , it's work if we used by Card reader. Some times there are message at camera " E30" when we turn on the camera. any body have experiences for this situation ???

thx

[CHCanon]

I was finally able to fix the memory card error I was getting on my Canon. After almost throwing the camera away, I did a last search online and found a way to fix it that worked for a lot of people. What you need to do is open the camera and remove the camera's internal battery and insert it again. This might seem like a major task, but it's actually not all that complicated (although if you are not comfortable with opening electronic devices and handling tiny screws, you might want to stay away). Here's a diagram to help you out: http://www.huroncamera.com/diagrams/Canon_Digital/POWERSHOT_S400_IXUS_400.pdf (the battery is part #3 on page 4). Don't be scared with the diagram, as you won't have to take the entire camera apart. You will only need to open up the camera. Good luck!

[Motorsports Photo]

Another caveat:

DONT format your card on your computer.

DO format your card OFTEN when you reinsert it in your camera after copying the pics to your computer.

I found this out early when I had problems with some corruption. I have not had ANY errors since I started using format every time I put the card back in.

Happy Shooting!

-Pete

[vutown]

I found CHCanon's post to be very helpful. I removed the battery and the camera worked again! Thanks!

Vu

[theislandgirl]

Hi all.

I'm having very similar problems, though I have an A75. It's getting very annoying and interfering with a project I'm trying to do, so I'm hoping I can get some more assistance here.

I'd like to take a crack at CHCanon's solution, but the link proffered
http://www.huroncamera.com/diagrams/Canon_Digital/POWERSHOT_S400_IXUS_400.pdf
is completely gone, right down to the base URL.

I'm still searching for the PDF itself, but hoped someone here can help me sort this out or update me on potential solutions.

I'm getting the E30 popping up on the display after the camera freezes in mid process, leaving the lens out. So far, I have managed to get the thing restarted to at least get the lens closed after switching out the batteries and usually being stubborn with the on/off toggle. Also can get some operation out of it until -- it seems out of nowhere -- it happens again.

I've just downloaded the contents of my 512mH CF card, and will be trying both the switch out to the original 32mH card and reformatting the 512mH (of course I prefer it), but would definitely like to have the "internal battery" solution as a backup. Oh, I don't pull the card to DL my images, I use the USB /data cable, so in effect, I have not ever removed the CF card since I first started using it some 2 years ? ago.

Any comments?

Much appreciated.

Jude, BC/Canada

[ortonp]

I have had the same problem in my IXUS 400 for the last few years regardless of whihc card brand or size being used but it disappeared until tonight. I'll do the back up battery replacement fix and found the diagram of the camera here http://www.thefotogeeks.com/diagrams/Canon_Digital/POWERSHOT_S400_IXUS_400.pdf

[Jon]

Another caveat:

DONT format your card on your computer.

DO format your card OFTEN when you reinsert it in your camera after copying the pics to your computer.

I found this out early when I had problems with some corruption. I have not had ANY errors since I started using format every time I put the card back in.

Happy Shooting!

-PeteThere is no reason to avoid formatting your cards on your computer. All mine get formatted on the computer after I've downloaded and backed up the files. Note also that this is the only way you'll be able to prevent carrying file numbers between two or more cameras.

[shrishan007]

Hi,

I have this problem with my canon A620 camera and am posting to this forum for possible solutions.
1) I have had this camera for about 15 months and use a Kingston and a Sandisk SD cards on it.
2) About a week back the camera started complaining of the "card locked". I checked the SD cards (both Sandisk and Kingston) and they are NOT physically locked.
3) When I put the default cards supplied by Canon ( the 16 MB ones which do not have a physical lock on them) in my Canon A620, the camera is able to shoot pictures.
4) I put these cards on my Canon camcoder and the cards are write able, no issues here.
5) I tried this too. I formated the card on the computer, the card was formatted. When I moved it to the camera, the SD card is still not write able, so the formating option on the camera is greyed out (non functional).


I appreciate all your help.

Thanks!

[Jon]

Can you write to the cards on the computer?

[shrishan007]

Thanks for looking at this Jon!

Yes, I am able to write to the cards when I use my computer.

[Jon]

Try shining a light into the camera's SD slot and look for any kind of obstructions and whether the contacts look clean. It might even be worth trying to find an SD card slot cleaning kit. At the least try cleaning the card contacts.

[shrishan007]

Thanks Jon... I tried the following based on what you said and it solved the problem...

• Open the SD card slot in the camera.
• When you look through the slot, you would see a yellow metal protruding out on the side where the SD Cards lock would fit.
• Take a piece of hard paper and push this metal in (it will not go in fully)
• Try the card back on in the camera, it worked for me…..

Thanks again!

[shrishan007]

For people who are looking for answers to this problem....I was able to fix this issue. Posting it here.

• Open the SD card slot in the camera.
• When you look through the slot, you would see a yellow metal protruding out on the side where the SD Cards lock would fit.
• Take a piece of hard paper and push this metal in (it will not go in fully)
• Try the card back on in the camera, it worked for me…..

The following post by Jon from this forum actually helped me…

***************
Try shining a light into the camera's SD slot and look for any kind of
obstructions and whether the contacts look clean. It might even be
worth trying to find an SD card slot cleaning kit. At the least try
cleaning the card contacts.
***************

[shrishan007]

For people who are looking for answers to this problem....I was able to fix this issue.

• Open the SD card slot in the camera.
• When you look through the slot, you would see a yellow metal protruding out on the side where the SD Cards lock would fit.
• Take a piece of hard paper and push this metal in (it will not go in fully)
• Try the card back on in the camera, it worked for me…..

The following post by Jon from this forum actually helped me…

***************
Try shining a light into the camera's SD slot and look for any kind of
obstructions and whether the contacts look clean. It might even be
worth trying to find an SD card slot cleaning kit. At the least try
cleaning the card contacts.
***************