Joe on the June 5th, 2007 OK… So this only works for MY problem and I really grabbed the answer from a forum, but here’s my detailed version:
The problem:
In Portland two Thursdays ago, I was taking photos of Reliquary’s set. I didn’t drop the camera, get it wet, or do anything else that would make me assume it would stop working, regardless, it stopped working properly. I could get into the pictures to view them, but in camera or video mode, it just showed a black screen with the message, “Turn the power off and on again”. I suspect the cause was my turning the camera off an on a lot because the problem is the lens cover sticking closed. I believe I wore out the lens cover motor.
The Solution:
(DISCLAIMER: Proceed at your own risk! If you do this and break your camera or anything else bad happens, don’t cry to me.)
1. Remove the batteries and memory card.
2. Remove the two screws in the battery compartment. (see image 1)
3. Remove the two screws on the bottom of the camera. (see image 2)
4. Set the screws aside and label them. (see image 3)
5. Open up the camera. (see image 4)
6. Pull the two pieces out of the front camera piece. Be careful for attached wires, but I got mine open without disconnecting anything.
7. Force the lens cover open by turning the larger black gear clockwise. This took some force on my part, so don’t be afraid to push hard, but be careful of all the exposed components (like the nearby lens). (see image 5).
8. Put it all back together in the reverse order from how you took it apart.
Sorry about the blurry images. With my camera not working, I had to use my camera phone.
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on July 23rd, 2007 at 1:34 pm
This fix worked well, however the motor assembly that opens and shuts the lens cover was completely frozen. I ended up removing the entire motor assembly (wires unplug),left the lens cover in the open position and put it all back together. Everything works well and I will just have to be a little careful with the exposed lens. Thanks for your help. It was a 10 minute job.
on December 19th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
[...] don’t think that I’ve yet mentioned that I am a amateur photographer, armed with a slightly older digital camera, little time, and some creativity. I think I have taken some good photos, but I still view myself [...]
on February 10th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
many thanks for this article, now my P41 is ready to shoot :D
on February 10th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
atwig: The same happened with mine. I’m probably going to re-open it again, soon, and try to get the lens cover to open and close properly.
Ben: I’m glad it helped. Beats buying a new camera.
on March 18th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
[...] so just click any photo for more detail. Note 2: All photos were taken with MY camera that I operated on last year. Disclaimer: The fact that this worked for me is mostly luck and the camera may even go up in [...]
on July 21st, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Quick thanks for an easy solution. Sometimes power on and off comes on display, but after a couple of power on / off, it works fine. Lens cover is in open position all the time, but the camera works. Thanks again.
on September 9th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Brian: No problem. Glad I could help.