How do I switch from a view finder to a lcd monitor on my canon rebel xs

press menu 5th menu along select item 1 up from bottom (live view function setting), select enable then quit menu press set button to activate live view

Set the shooting mode to a Creative Zone mode. Under the Setting tab, select [Live View function settings] and press SET. Select [Live View shoot] and press SET. Select [Enable] and press SET. Press the MENU button. Press SET.

how can you download and update firm ware when you cannot see anything on the screen?!!!!

You must be in P, Tv, Av, M, or the A-DEP modes.

Enable Live View in the camera’s Menu.
On the second set-up menu screen go to “Live View function settings” then "Live View Shoot"-> enable.
After this all you need to do is press the Set button.

When in P (Program) mode you can press the "SET" button and it will display the image on the LCD display.

I can help you fix the BUSY Error or Error 99 of your Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS.

Installation of this Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS firmware version 1.06 update will solve these problems:

1. Some cameras may exhibit a phenomenon in which the LCD monitor does not display, the shutter does not release, and the BUSY indication remains lit in the viewfinder.
2. The message, "Err 99 Shooting is not possible. Turn the power switch to<OFF> and <ON> again or re-install the battery", appears on the camera's LCD monitor, and after the above operation is carried out,the LCD monitor displays in a language that is different from the actual language setting.

See the firmware instructions and download the firmware upgrade by following these Fixya Tips :

1. Follow this link to download a pdf version of the firmware installation instruction guide.
2. Follow this link to download the Windows Version of the Canon EOS Rebel XS / Canon EOS 1000D firmware version 1.06 update.
3. Follow this link to download the MAC version of the Canon EOS Rebel XS / Canon EOS 1000D firmware version 1.06 update.
4. Follow this link to download the Canon EOS Rebel XS / Canon EOS 1000D Instruction Manual.

I hope that helps.

In your manual it is on page 95, on how to do this,
It is called LIve view shooting and it does not work on basic zone modes.
1. Set camera to a creative zone mode
2. then under that tools option select live view function setting then press the set button
3 select live view shoot then hit set
4. press the menu button to exit

Doo, the xs has live view. Hit the menu button, go to the 5 colum, enter Live view function settings. And enable it. That easy!! to use auto focus you hold down the "zoom out." button
p.s. You can always read the manual. :)
Have a good one.

In order to turn on Live View, first put the camera in one of the Creative Zone modes (i.e. P, Tv, Av, M or A-DEP). Then press the menu button, and scroll to the second settings menu (the second wrench-symbol), then scroll down to "Live View function settings" and press the SET-button. Then scroll to "Live view shoot", press SET, scroll to "Enable", and press set again. Close the menu by pressing the menu button twice.
Now you can turn on and off the live view on the LCD by pressing the SET-button.
/Chris

There are two modes to the XS's Live View system, selectable via Custom Function 7. Live View is disabled by default, by the way, so you'll need to find this menu item in Settings Menu 2 to turn it on. The two options are called Quick and Live modes. Quick mode works as most Live View modes do, dropping the mirror when you press the AE-Lock button (marked with an asterisk) to use the conventional phase-detect autofocus system. This temporarily blacks out the Live View image, which makes it impossible to know that you're still framing the subject and holding your AF point in the proper place.
That's why they added the second mode, which they call Live, but is better described as contrast-detect autofocus. This works just like a digicam, reading the image from the imaging sensor while adjusting the lens for the setting that produces the most contrast in the image. A small square appears in the center of the image area, and you can move it around with the cross keys. Just like Quick mode, unfortunately, you have to press the AE-Lock button first until you hear the focus confirmation beep, then press the shutter button to fire. It's a little slower at times than phase-detect mode, but it gets the job done. Live mode is really better for tripod work, where you can place the AF area right where you want it and confirm focus onscreen.
Both modes offer the ability to zoom in on your live view, excellent for confirming focus before capture. Using the Magnify button just right of the AE-Lock button, you can zoom in 5x or 10x, then press the AE-Lock button to focus if you like; but of course you can't confirm framing in that mode.