Comments on: Fixing the ‘Memory card error’ on the Canon IXUS 400/S3 http://willj.net/blog/2006/02/12/fixing-the-memory-card-error-on-the-canon-ixus-400s3/ will.thoughts.pop Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:09:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: maldar http://willj.net/blog/2006/02/12/fixing-the-memory-card-error-on-the-canon-ixus-400s3/#comment-59567 maldar Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:36:45 +0000 http://willj.net/blog/?p=20#comment-59567 Cheers guys, worked wonders. Thanks for all the tips! :) Cheers guys, worked wonders.
Thanks for all the tips! :)

]]> By: Nate http://willj.net/blog/2006/02/12/fixing-the-memory-card-error-on-the-canon-ixus-400s3/#comment-59164 Nate Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:42:54 +0000 http://willj.net/blog/?p=20#comment-59164 Great Job! Worked on a S500 perfectly. Thanks Great Job! Worked on a S500 perfectly. Thanks

]]> By: Mike http://willj.net/blog/2006/02/12/fixing-the-memory-card-error-on-the-canon-ixus-400s3/#comment-58856 Mike Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:31:15 +0000 http://willj.net/blog/?p=20#comment-58856 I've had my S400 since spring of 2003, and after 5 yrs of loyal service and thousands of photos taken, I got this error. My wife already had a newer Canon, so it wasn't much of an issue. I'd tried electrical cleaner sprays, which worked for a few days... but no luck. I finally decided to search the internet, and I tried this fix. 1) I agree with Robert - I think keeping it in my car with the temperature swings and poor moisture control contributed to this failure. 2) I think the memory card door switch might also suffer from poor electrical connectivity, so there could be 2 separate issues with the same cause. Thanks for the site! I’ve had my S400 since spring of 2003, and after 5 yrs of loyal service and thousands of photos taken, I got this error. My wife already had a newer Canon, so it wasn’t much of an issue. I’d tried electrical cleaner sprays, which worked for a few days… but no luck. I finally decided to search the internet, and I tried this fix.
1) I agree with Robert - I think keeping it in my car with the temperature swings and poor moisture control contributed to this failure.
2) I think the memory card door switch might also suffer from poor electrical connectivity, so there could be 2 separate issues with the same cause.

Thanks for the site!

]]> By: JSA http://willj.net/blog/2006/02/12/fixing-the-memory-card-error-on-the-canon-ixus-400s3/#comment-57843 JSA Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:55:05 +0000 http://willj.net/blog/?p=20#comment-57843 the internet rocks! the internet rocks!

]]> By: dha http://willj.net/blog/2006/02/12/fixing-the-memory-card-error-on-the-canon-ixus-400s3/#comment-57587 dha Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:22:41 +0000 http://willj.net/blog/?p=20#comment-57587 I just performed this fix on a PowerShot S500 displaying "Memory Card Error" and it worked great. The camera is back to taking pictures. Thanks for posting. I just performed this fix on a PowerShot S500 displaying “Memory Card Error” and it worked great. The camera is back to taking pictures. Thanks for posting.

]]> By: *** Robert *** http://willj.net/blog/2006/02/12/fixing-the-memory-card-error-on-the-canon-ixus-400s3/#comment-57101 *** Robert *** Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:41:35 +0000 http://willj.net/blog/?p=20#comment-57101 I believe the problem to be "dirty" electrical contact with the small internal battery. This may be caused by moisture in the air and the fact that the camera is not 'sealed'. When batteries only supply very small currents this is a common problem. The following actions may work: increased electrical activity (formatting, resetting etc) or mechanical action (shaking camera, cleaning battery or just removing and replacing battery). When cleaning the battery try not to leave finger grease on it - use gloves or a tissue. In use avoid rapid changes in temperature - cold to warm generates condensation. This advice applies to all electrical equipment that has battery or other contacts that carry tiny electrical currents. I believe the problem to be “dirty” electrical contact with the small internal battery. This may be caused by moisture in the air and the fact that the camera is not ’sealed’. When batteries only supply very small currents this is a common problem. The following actions may work: increased electrical activity (formatting, resetting etc) or mechanical action (shaking camera, cleaning battery or just removing and replacing battery). When cleaning the battery try not to leave finger grease on it - use gloves or a tissue. In use avoid rapid changes in temperature - cold to warm generates condensation. This advice applies to all electrical equipment that has battery or other contacts that carry tiny electrical currents.

]]> By: maldar http://willj.net/blog/2006/02/12/fixing-the-memory-card-error-on-the-canon-ixus-400s3/#comment-56850 maldar Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:24:44 +0000 http://willj.net/blog/?p=20#comment-56850 Hi i have different problem with my Ixus 400. I can view the pictures on the compact flash card, but when i switch to take pictures, all i get is a distorted screen, no image, you cant even view what your trying to capture. This is the same in video or any other mode. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Hi i have different problem with my Ixus 400.
I can view the pictures on the compact flash card, but when i switch to take pictures, all i get is a distorted screen, no image, you cant even view what your trying to capture.
This is the same in video or any other mode.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

]]> By: Robert http://willj.net/blog/2006/02/12/fixing-the-memory-card-error-on-the-canon-ixus-400s3/#comment-55757 Robert Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:32:47 +0000 http://willj.net/blog/?p=20#comment-55757 Just fixed my IXUS 400 by taking out the battery. All done in 20 min. Great instructions! Thanks a lot! The warranty of the camera has expired. Opted for the DIY version after experiencing one of the typical service line situations. After getting through relatively quickly to Canon my hope grew that the advertised free repair would not only be a myth. I was told by Canon that they had outsourced the repairs and was given the contact address. Canon informed me I would have to include the original box with all the components and the invoice. Luckily, I still had everything and then called the company Canon referred me to. They told me that the info from Canon was wrong and that in any case I would have to pay about 50 USD (converted from Swiss Franks). Called Canon and asked them whether this was right. Canon said no, I must be mistaken. I should call the company for the repair again. Called them (the repair company) again and of course got the same response. Called Canon again, now they told me to call another repair subcontractor. Did so, this second company said they would repair the camera for free if the memory error was really caused, else I would be fully charged for the opening of the camera and the postage. Finally gave up on the Canon "service". In my experience in Switzerland Canon service is a myth. Only wasted more than an hour of my time and build up a feeling of frustration. Also am wondering why buy an expensive digital camera in the future. A cheap one would do the trick in most cases and if it stops working, well then one doesn't have to worry about the money lost. Just fixed my IXUS 400 by taking out the battery. All done in 20 min. Great instructions! Thanks a lot! The warranty of the camera has expired. Opted for the DIY version after experiencing one of the typical service line situations. After getting through relatively quickly to Canon my
hope grew that the advertised free repair would not only be a myth. I was told by Canon that they had outsourced the repairs and was given the contact address. Canon informed me I would have to include the original box with all the components and the invoice. Luckily, I still had everything and then called the company Canon referred me to. They told me that the info from Canon was wrong and that in any case I would have to pay about 50 USD (converted from Swiss Franks). Called Canon and asked them whether this was right. Canon said no, I must be mistaken. I should call the company for the repair again. Called them (the repair company) again and of course got the same response. Called Canon again, now they told me to call another repair subcontractor. Did so, this second company said they would repair the camera for free if the memory error was really caused, else I would be fully charged for the opening of the camera and the postage. Finally gave up on the Canon “service”. In my experience in Switzerland Canon service is a myth. Only wasted more than an hour of my time and build up a feeling of frustration. Also am wondering why buy an expensive digital camera in the future. A cheap one would do the trick in most cases and if it stops working, well then one doesn’t have to worry about the money lost.

]]> By: Frank Morrell http://willj.net/blog/2006/02/12/fixing-the-memory-card-error-on-the-canon-ixus-400s3/#comment-54841 Frank Morrell Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:36:47 +0000 http://willj.net/blog/?p=20#comment-54841 I have just fixed my IXUS 500 having the 'memory card error' display. I used the CF card door method and was successful after the fifth attempt. This must be a preferred option before opening up the camera and risking failure or damage. I gently used a bent paperclip (large size) and held the black plunger down for 3-10seconds. I then left the camera for 10minutes or so and then switched the camera on. Lo and behold problem fixed. Thanks to problem solvers as above. I have just fixed my IXUS 500 having the ‘memory card error’ display. I used the CF card door method and was successful after the fifth attempt.
This must be a preferred option before opening up the camera and risking failure or damage. I gently used a bent paperclip (large size) and held the black plunger down for 3-10seconds. I then left the camera for 10minutes or so and then switched the camera on. Lo and behold problem fixed. Thanks to problem solvers as above.

]]> By: Dominic http://willj.net/blog/2006/02/12/fixing-the-memory-card-error-on-the-canon-ixus-400s3/#comment-54413 Dominic Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:36:24 +0000 http://willj.net/blog/?p=20#comment-54413 I rang Canon, and they said that yes, this is a known fault and they would repair for free, however, I would have to send it to one of their main service centres, which are 350 km away. So, easy life if you live next door, but I'll be trying your fix, thanks for the info. I rang Canon, and they said that yes, this is a known fault and they would repair for free, however, I would have to send it to one of their main service centres, which are 350 km away.

So, easy life if you live next door, but I’ll be trying your fix, thanks for the info.

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