Olympus C-5060 Gone Bonkers

[srhtwoa]

I have a 1-year old Olympus C-5060 that has totally gone bonkers.

From a programmer's point-of-view, it looks like the onboard system software has crashed and needs to be rebooted. Very disheartening, as this camera has hardly been used over the past year.

Scenario: xD card and CF card inserted
Symptoms:
1. When I power-up, I hear the startup chime and see the Olymus startup screen.
2. The camera lens system does NOT telescope out (supposed to).
3. The LCD on top does NOT show normal settings; rather, just displays '000 xD'
4. Clicking the CF/xD button does NOT have any effect (on anything). All I see is a blue window with a white target frame, saying 'No Picture'.

Scenario: remove the xD card, leaving the CF card inserted

1. When I power-up, I hear the startup chime and see the Olymus startup screen.
2. The camera lens system does NOT telescope out (supposed to).
3. The LCD on top does NOT show normal settings; rather, just displays 'CF'
4. I see a 'landscape' version of the last photo I took. I can do nothing else.
5. When I click the OK/Menu button, the Info/Mode Menu screen comes up, but I am unable to 'enter' either of these sub-menu systems. ie., when I click left or right arrow, nothing happens.

Could it be there is a problem with the cards? Could the cards affect the camera to this extent?

Is there any way to 'zap' the inner settings of the camera and force a reboot?

Or do I have to take this in to a camera shop?

Thanks,

Scott

[another view]

I've never heard of a problem with a memory card causing a problem with a camera. Usually if you have a problem with a card, then you can't save to it (camera won't write to it) or read data from it (when trying to download).

Contact Olympus - that's probably the only option here. Did you try pulling the batteries out for a few minutes (at least) and putting in newly charged ones? That fixes all kinds of wierd problems, and definately something to try first.

[srhtwoa]

I've never heard of a problem with a memory card causing a problem with a camera. Usually if you have a problem with a card, then you can't save to it (camera won't write to it) or read data from it (when trying to download).

Contact Olympus - that's probably the only option here. Did you try pulling the batteries out for a few minutes (at least) and putting in newly charged ones? That fixes all kinds of wierd problems, and definately something to try first.

Yes, I have tried pulling the batteries... had no effect.

Contacting Olympus (unfortunately) seems easier said than done, but appears that is called for.

Thanks for your reply and suggestions.

[jabba the nutt]

My C5060, 16 months old, is acting similarly. The lens wont extend and the last picture i took shows in the viewer. The arror keys won't work and i can do nothing else with the camera. Their support centre won't offer any help. It has had light use and cared for carefully. No problems before this (about a week ago) but i couldn't be more disappointed and will never be buying Olympus again. They take a great picture, but if this is the result of a higher end camera after such short use, then it isn't much good.

Friends told me to get a Canon, that is what i will do next time.

PS (I was told to try leaving the batteries out of the camera for 10 days. It will potentially reset the camera - worth a try)