Wierd G2 Problem...But only with CF inserted.

[PeteT]

My G2, exactly 10 days past warantee expiring seems dead, but only where there is a CF card installed. Nothing happens when any of my three cards are inserted. Canon, Sandata and Lexar no difference.

The camera won't even turn on unless you start twisting the LCD screen pivot. Once it does turn on it says no CF card the quickly goes to CF card error. Formatting doesn't work because it cant read the card.

But everything is fine without the card in - except I cant save a picture... kills the camera idea!

What I've done....
-switched CF cards
-switched batteries
-removed the backup and system battery for 12 hours

and of course - called tech support... and honestly - I don't feel like they cared to do anything but issuing an RMA for out of waranty repair ($275 to $450) or upgrading me to a refurb G5 for $300....

There has to be a better answer. Its never been dropped, scratched, or abused. The only new thing is that we printed digital photos at CVS through their card reader thing.... and I doubt that could have infected the CF card!

PLEASE HELP ME FROM GOING CRAZY OVER THIS!

[EoSD30fReAk]

maybe one of the cf pins is bent??

you say that it happened after you had the card in a cf reader so it's possible that you bent one of the pins when you put it back in the camera ???

[PeteT]

That was one of my first thoughts, so I looking into the CF card slot with a flashlight. No bent pins to my knowledge.

I don't believe that you could with the rigid rails that guide the card.


I've found this problem effecting others through a google search - but I'd love to hear from the experts here!

[PeteT]

Wow..... I love you guys....

A pin actually was bent, but between shadow and the fact that it was bent percetly into the next space - I didn't notice it.

It was the upper row, almost dead center. next to a pin space that does not actually have a pin. (or did my wife bust that one too???)

Camera is working now, and I swear that you most likely heard that sigh of refief around the world!

Swear, if I haven't been looking for a job - this would have been the perfect reason to buy an SLR digital with optical lens flexibility - EOS, you truly are a lifesaver!

Thanks! Now I can prep for my interview on Tuesday!

[ajax]

How did you fix it? Manually rebend it? Confession from a fellow G2er--I've never peered in there.

[PeteT]

Exactly, the free screwdriver that Extron gives away with each of their video routers and high end converters was exactky the righ size to get into the CF card slot, and bend the pin back into shape.

The CF card itself was the be-all, end all... a few insertions in the guide rails seemed to make it even better!

Yup - The pin will most certianly be weaker then factory spec - but hopefully when it decideds to crack - I'll have a job!

[EoSD30fReAk]

glad i could help you :wink:

[Tdragone]

Pete;

It's not that the pins are weaker than Spec; it's the other way around.

Compact flash cards form different mfr's use different plastics for the 'receiver' in the CF card where all the holes are. Problem is; some use a LOT more glass than others. If the CD card you are using borders on black; it's almost all plastic. If you have 1 card that looks ashy gray; this is almost certainly the card that caused the problem as it wil be up to 80% glass and 10% plastic as a binder.

I work wiht pcmcia cards as part of my job; and we have almost completely stopped buying from any mfr who uses high amounts of glass in connectors; we were experiencing waaay too much equip damage to justify the shightly cheaper costs of cards.

My .02 worth

If you do have a chance to see CF cards before you buy them; go for the darker connector if all other factors ($ and speed) are equal.

-Tom D.