Problem with click button

You can try using NIMh batteries instead of using of using the conventional. Most other cameras with similar problems have turned to function normally by using the above mentioned cameras.

Your lens block is faulty,must replace it

Other than your camera has had it, there may be some residual dampness still shorting circuits.

Again remove battery and open any orifices you can and put it in the airing cupboard or any where warm for a few days then try again.

Hi,
This is known problem of ccd imager chip failure in DSC-F717 camera and ccd imager chip will be replaced to get correct live view in camera mode to take fresh picture.

Sony offers free of cost ccd imager chip replacement till March 31, 2010
Click Sony CCD Imager Support for details.
Thanks.

I would slap the camera face down in the palm of my hand and see if the lense becomes unstuck.

Does the finder LCD work ? Push the button directly to the right of the eyepiece to toggle between the large panel LCD and the finder and PLAY a recorded pic. If it will display a recorded pic but not display a live pic, the shutter blades are stuck together. It'll have to go to repair - about a $105 repair.

To those in the US affected by this problem..... http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?mdl=DSCT1&news_id=161

step 1 Check the manual of your digital camera to see if it can be used as a webcam. Many digital cameras have this functionality and even come with webcam software. If your camera didn't come with webcam software, use a third party web cam application such as SarmSoft WebCam. Find SarmSoft WebCam at ShareUp.com.
Step 2 Plug your digital camera's power adapter into the camera. Some won't function as a webcam unless they are plugged into A/C power. Even if your digital camera functions as a webcam while on batteries, A/C power saves your batteries and prevents your camera from shutting off in the middle of a broadcast.
Step 3 Connect a video cable into your digital camera's video "out" port. Your camera likely came with a cable made for connecting it to a to a video source. Plug the other end of the video cable into your video card's video "in" port.
Step 4 Set up your camera as close to your monitor as possible. This allows better face to face communication.
Step 5 Position yourself about 2 to 3 feet away from your digital camera. Most digital camera's focus best at this distance when used as a webcam.
Step 6 Use a separate microphone if your digital camera doesn't transmit sound when used as a webcam. Plug the microphone into the microphone jack of your sound card

I found an online manual for your camera. Page 84 talks about the USB Mode Normal with the 4 dots underneath. It also show a troubleshooting area for this and it is on page 96. Hopefully this will get your camera working right again. Here is the link to the pdf manual. http://www.docs.sony.com/release/DSCW1.pdf

May I suggest you to do or have done following actions: Use a philipps size 0 screwdriver and open your camera body. Then look at all the flat cables, try and disconnect them thoroughly, rub them a little bit and reconnect them. Maybe if you have another digicam, it's a good idea to take pics of how the flat cables are connected and stacked, for easy re-assembly. All your problems sound like bad contacts. Maybe dust or corrosion... I bet your 707 can find a new youth!