Camera wont focus.

Forget the big box in the sun trick, an urban myth I think.

It sounds as if you have a problem in the lens assembly. When you zoom in and out an internal lens slides back and forth to hold focus. It sounds like it's dropped out of it's guides or possiblt the pins which slot into the lens barrel guides have fallen out.

Honestly it's easy to change a complete lens assembly but refitting a complete inside of one is a nightmare. So many things have to be absolutely spot on you could spend weeks thinking you have it fixed only to put it all back together and find something is out of whack. Then take it apart and try again.

That grinding noise could well be something missing the guides or the guide pins being dragged back and forth.

I'd be looking for a transplant possibility on Ebay GOOD LUCK

hi,
sorry you can't fix it yourself. Because for your kind information,canon ixus technology is the most sophisticated, most delicate and most complicated so dont try yourself.
But dont worry, take a chance, take a corrugated box twice bigger than camera. Remove the battery from the camera. put the camera in the box and close it.leave the box in the direct sunlight for one n half hour.then take in and let it cooldown to room temp.then try with fresh batteries.
let's hope for the best....
If no result,go to canon.