Playback only, but not E18

Straight to the point:

I have a Digital Ixus 50 (I think it's equivalent to the SD400, judging from a few threads I read) that recently stopped working. Viewing the pics on the card works fine, but I can't record video or take pictures.

Some googling and searching this forum revealed the E18 problem, but this is not my case. When I turn the camera on in playback mode everything is seemingly OK. If I flick the switch to camera mode the screen goes blank (backlight is on) and the lens comes out. None of the buttons give any response, until the backlight goes out after about 18 seconds.

It seems to have shut itself off, because if I press the power button the lens retracts, the startup image and backlight comes on and the lens extracts again. However, it hangs again, none of the buttons give any response until it shuts off. No beeps or errormessages on the display whatsoever.

If I flick the selector back to playback mode and turn it on, the lens retracts and I can view the card content just fine, zoom in/out and so on.

I was thinking it might be a firmware problem, because it seems more like a software problem than a hardware problem to me, but I don't really have any clue about cameras, so I'm just guessing, really.

I would really appreciate it if anyone could opint me in the right directin about what might have caused the problem, and if it could be fixed. The trend seems to be that once it's broken it's cheaper to replace it.

I really don't think the camera should be at it's lifes end just yet; the counter is only at IMG_1049, and I think the camera has had "a life above average", being handled well, looks as new, no scratches or anything. I cannot rule out that it has been dropped by my spouse, but it doesn't look like it. It has always been kept in the carrying case when not in use, so it should not be full of dust or moisture, either.

I have tried searching this forum, but my tech english is not the best, so I might not have searched for the right phrases. If anyone knows about a thread or search phrase I could use, I'd be happy to be told about it.


Thnx

Chris. . . .

It certinly sounds like either lens damage (which might also occur if the "On" button's pressed while the camera's in its case or the lens is otherwise blocked from extending) or the battery's gone (which can happen from old age). Have you tried it connected to AC power?

Hi, Jon!

Thanks for the really quick reply!

I don't have an AC adaptor, but I do have two batteries. I changed batteries not long ago when the indicator lit up telling me it was due. Took a few pictures with the newly changed battery before the camera died.

I'll try to charge the other one and see if that one will work. I don't get any indication of low battery when in playback mode, but I'll give it a shot anyway. If that doesn't work I'll see if I can borrow an AC adaptor somewhere and try that out.

What I find strange is that there is absolutely no errormessages. No beeps, nothing in the display, not anything. That's why I thought it might be a firmware problem, although I don't quite see how that could come after a while since I'm not installing programs and plugins like on the computer.


Chris. . . .