Compact Flash "Card Error"

Hello I just received my canon a70 this afternoon and I am having trouble getting it working. When I turn it on I get a "card error" message and when trying to format in menu options it reads "cf 3.8 MB". When I press the set button to format, the green light starts blinking then the camera shuts off. I've tried the 16mb compact flash that came with the camera as well as a 256mb Sandisk. I've also tried formatting with the "Zoom Browser" software and it also reads something like 2.55 MB's and the format button is greyed out (unavailable). Do you think the camera is faulty? and if not I would love to hear some suggestions.


P.s. I am thinking of going out to COMPUSA tomorrow to get a flash reader and try to format it that way but from what I 've read the camera should be able to format the cf no problem.

You might want to make certian your battery is fully charged or the camera is connected to AC power. It sounds like the camera is automatically shutting off as though the battery is weak...

I always format in my camera.

Regards,

Thanks for replying. I've tried using the 4 supplied aa batteries as well as rechargables but to no avail. I've also bought a dazzle cf reader/writer to format both cfs to see if the camera would read them that way but nil on that one. If anyone has any more suggestions or has had a similar problem please post before I send back the camera. Thanks.

sounds like one (or more) of the pins in the bottom of the CF slot are bent/broken. Either that, or the ribbon cable on the CF unit to the motherboard is not secured tightly.

Just a guess...

If both cards are producing the same error, it is more likely that the camera is in error (extremely unlikely two different size cards from two different makes will produce the same malfunction...)

March the camera back to the store and get a new one. If you mail ordered the camera, follow the store guidelines for returns.