Olympus C-350 camera has locked up

[Steve]

After taking several shots with this camera yesterday, it stopped working.

The 'Quick View' and 'OK' buttons work, images download from the camera to
my PC, and opening the lens cover switches the camera on and extends the
lens, but none of the left/right/up/down buttons, used for menu selection
or flipping through stored images will work.

Thus when in viewing mode, I can see the last stored image, but I can't
flip backwards and forwards between images, nor can I choose any menu
options.

During the taking of the final pictures, I noticed that the camera wouldn't
let me set the resolution lower than 2048 x 1536.

I've tried two different XD cards, with identical results - both cards were
working perfectly OK previously, so it seems unlikely to be them, unless
the camera is eating cards for breakfast.

I've also removed both the card and batteries and left overnight in the
vague hope that the camera may simply have become confused, but to no
avail.

Has anyone experienced this problem before, or have any advice on a service
mode or hardware reset option that may help me resolve it?

Thanks

 

[Jerry G.]

It sounds like the switch assembly (membrane pad), or the circuit board, or
something in the command train is not working right. Did you drop the
camera?

These are serviced by modular type of servicing. Then once the new module is
adjusted, the camera is re-calibrated by a software interface and light box
system.

You will most likely have to give the camera out to Olympus to have it
properly serviced. I would not suggest you open it yourself and mess with
it, if this is a camera that you value. If you are adventurous, the only
thing you would be able to fix yourself is an obvious cold solder that is
large enough to fix with a soldering iron, or fix something simple that
loosened up. Olympus will not sell any service information, or service parts
to non authorized servicers.

--

Jerry G.
======


After taking several shots with this camera yesterday, it stopped working.

The 'Quick View' and 'OK' buttons work, images download from the camera to
my PC, and opening the lens cover switches the camera on and extends the
lens, but none of the left/right/up/down buttons, used for menu selection
or flipping through stored images will work.

Thus when in viewing mode, I can see the last stored image, but I can't
flip backwards and forwards between images, nor can I choose any menu
options.

During the taking of the final pictures, I noticed that the camera wouldn't
let me set the resolution lower than 2048 x 1536.

I've tried two different XD cards, with identical results - both cards were
working perfectly OK previously, so it seems unlikely to be them, unless
the camera is eating cards for breakfast.

I've also removed both the card and batteries and left overnight in the
vague hope that the camera may simply have become confused, but to no
avail.

Has anyone experienced this problem before, or have any advice on a service
mode or hardware reset option that may help me resolve it?

Thanks

 

[Ken Weitzel]

After taking several shots with this camera yesterday, it stopped working.

The 'Quick View' and 'OK' buttons work, images download from the camera to
my PC, and opening the lens cover switches the camera on and extends the
lens, but none of the left/right/up/down buttons, used for menu selection
or flipping through stored images will work.

Thus when in viewing mode, I can see the last stored image, but I can't
flip backwards and forwards between images, nor can I choose any menu
options.

During the taking of the final pictures, I noticed that the camera wouldn't
let me set the resolution lower than 2048 x 1536.

I've tried two different XD cards, with identical results - both cards were
working perfectly OK previously, so it seems unlikely to be them, unless
the camera is eating cards for breakfast.

I've also removed both the card and batteries and left overnight in the
vague hope that the camera may simply have become confused, but to no
avail.

Has anyone experienced this problem before, or have any advice on a service
mode or hardware reset option that may help me resolve it?

Thanks

Hi Steve...

Have many Oly's... and I've had a couple of lockups, but
always while writing to the card (green busy light just
keeps flashing forever), and never one that couldn't be
"fixed" by just removing the batteries for a second.

I do have an address for an Oly service center guy in
California, USA. He's very helpful, and very inexpensive.

If you'd like to send me an email, I'll be happy to
send you his address, and you can then write him and
ask his advice...

Take care.

Ken

disclaimer: I have nothing to do with this company,
other than being a very happy customer.

 

[Bob Parker]

I've got a C-350 and it's done a few weird things. But every time,
removing and then reinstalling the batteries brought it back to
normal. My suggestion is to follow Ken's advice. It's very unlikely
that you'd be able to do any good by opening the camera and doing
anything inside it.
Good luck.

Bob