Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W5 Digital Camera - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

• To reset turn off the camera and remove the battery. Hold down the power button for 15 seconds then release. Reinsert the battery pack and power on the camera.

Try NOT connecting your camera to your computer. The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries. Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo management program such as Picasa ( http://picasa.google.com ).

Nothing you can do it's going to fix it. It's a mechanical problem take it to the manufacturer.

Replacement of the lens will cost more than the camera is worth. Try these solutions at the following website before deciding to buy a new camera.

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html

Hello,To turn ON the flash, you just need to press the Flash button repeatedly until you will see a a lightning icon displayed on your camera's screen.I hope this helped you!You can rate my answer if you appreciate it.

Hello Louis,Sony Cybershot DSC W5 only supports Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO. So, in order to use your micro SD card, you will need to insert your micro SD card to a memory stick adapter like this:I hope this helped you.You can rate my answer if you appreciate my help.

The display being blank can be due to failure of the LCD or the CCD which is the optical sensor of the camera. So to confirm check the older picture to be seen on the display. Confirm this by checking the card on your PC. If the images/picture is seen to be of good quality, then the LCD can be faulty, fault on the linking cable or the control board.

However if the older images are seen well then the LCD is working correctly and the fault can be failure of the CCD- charge coupled device in the camera. If you have accidently exposed the camera directly to high intensity light / sunlight, then it is possible that it is damaged. Remove the battery and keep the camera aside to reset and try as a last resort. Get estimate before you decide. It will be good to have it checked at the authorised service as you do not have to run around for spares.

Please click on the link for tips to replace a LCD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB4x7F5Chow

Thank You for using fixya

Hello,

If you have an exceptional amount of pictures on your camera...This could be a simple problem solver? You need to remove some or all your of your pictures from your camera to create more memory and storage.

You have a couple of options

Save all your pictures to memory card, from the memory card save to your computer in a file or to a USB Flash Drive (Cruzer), or on a CD/DVD disk.

Or, install a new Memory card that has more Storage Capabilities.

You need to check your setting as to how the pictures are viewed and stored, it's possible you have your camera set to auto rotate and also auto set format...change these settings to manual!

Kind regards!

You can try your card to another camera or a car reader to see if it works all right then you can know if there is something wrong with your camera or card

I have exactly the same problem - the lense wont retract, then when I turn on the camera there is a beeping noise and the screen says "turn the power off and on again". I can with gentle pressure push the lens back in, but next time I turn it on I get the same reading!!!

I have used this camera extensively, but not significatly dropped it or exposed to sand etc.

Any fix would be appreciated!

Consider NOT connecting your camera to your computer.

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.

Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program.

Flip the switch on the card.

Did you change the picture quality in the settings? Higher quality pictures take much more memory than low quality.

Hello

The problem is that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the probability is that you will have to get it fixed by a professional.

Use these at own risk as it may further damage the camera.

Firstly , try connecting your ac adapter or usb cable.

Try holding the shutter button while switching on the camera.

Look at the lens , and if some of the lens 'circles' is misaligned or not concentric then try wiggling it (while holding camera lens down).

Try gently pushing or pulling the lens when it extends but this is risky as it may cause the lens barrel to slip out of its guidance system.

Another way to do this is to place the camera lens down on a hard surface and then power it up. Be sure to use a soft cloth or something similar as to not scratch your lens or casing. Let the lens push the camera up and down a few times and sometimes the little resistance provided by the camera is enough to get things going again.

Try hitting your camera near the lens on the body with the soft tissue on the palm of your hand.

Other than that , I would take the camera to a repair centre for a evaluation to see if it would cost more to repair than to replace the camera.

If it is still under warranty I would suggest you take it in before trying any of these steps and remove any off-brand batteries or accessories as some stores are really fussy about warranty repairs on camera's with non-brand accessories.

You can also have a look at THIS link.

Hope the advise is useful. please do not hesitate to let me know if you need any further assistance. Also, please be so kind to let me know if you found this helpful.

Regards
Andrea

Press cursor-down on the multiselector (marked with a one-handed clock) to cycle through the different self-timer modes. Start the self-timer by pressing the shutter release button.

It's busted.
Take it to a dealer for repair.
You may be able to claim this on your Home Contents Insurance.
If it costs too much to repair, hold a little ceremony and send it to a recycling centre for proper burial.
: )
Never drop cameras, expose to sand water (unless waterproof). These will surely break a camera. Always be conscious of your camera to edge of tables or other potentially damaging situations. ALWAYS use straps and safe storage.
I'm sorry it's broke. : (
Regards Robyn

To delete multiple images without formatting your card (which will work), you can delete them in "index mode." You can delete all the images in a folder by selecting [All In This Folder] with your up/down button, then press the delete button. You can see the instructions on the bottom right of page two in the bottom of the "Read This First" instructions here http://www.docs.sony.com/release/DSCW5revised_RTF.pdf

find the format card command on your camera, it is usually located under SETTINGS then CARD / FORMAT. Before you do this make sure the battery is fully charged.

Hi,

The best i would suggest is to remove the battery and clean the contacts on the battery and between the battery and camera.

If this does not fix it, pat camera 3-4 times gently on ya palm and turn it on, it should work.

Regards,
Ron

Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera

This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camera. Some common error messages that might show up on the LCD's of cameras with this problem include "E18 lens error", or "lens error, restart camera". Some cameras might show nothing at all, but merely make a beeping noise as the lens goes out, then in, then the camera shuts off. Sometimes the lens won't even move.

The problem is actually quite common throughout all camera brands. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended. Believe it or not, one BIG contributor to lens errors is using a camera case. Sand, gunk, case fibers, etc... accumulate at the bottom of the case. These materials love to cling to the camera by electrostatic build-up from the camera rubbing against the side of the case (especially those cases with soft fibrous intreriors). Once these materials work their way into the lens mechanism, that's all she wrote. I have many cameras, and NEVER use a case for this very reason.

A camera owner that suffers this problem may have no recourse for having the camera repaired. Many camera makers will not honor repairing this problem under warranty as they claim it is due to impact damage to the camera, or sand or debris getting into the lens gearing mechanism (neither of which is covered under warranty). The quoted repair cost is usually close to or more than what the camera is actually worth.

Fortunately, about half the cameras that suffer this failure can easily be fixed by one of the following methods. None of these methods involve opening the camera, although some have potential to cause other damage to the camera if excessively done. If the camera is still under warranty, before trying any of these, please please first contact your camera's maker to see if they'll cover the repair, or to determine how much they'll charge for the repair. Who knows, you might get lucky. But if they quote you a number that's higher than the value of your camera, you may want to consider the following methods.

The methods are listed in the order of risk of damaging your camera. Thus make sure you try them in the listed order. And remember, these fixes (especially #6 and 7) should only be considered for a camera that's out of warranty, who's cost of repair would be excessive, and would otherwise be considered for disposal if unrepaired:

Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on.

Fix #2: Remove the batteries, then remove the memory card. Then install new batteries, and turn on the camera. If you get an Error E30, it means you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the memory card and turn it on one last time.

Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particals that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.

Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.

Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in "no heat" setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one).

Now we're entering into the realm of potentially damaging your camera in conducting the fix. There is definitely some risk here, so take care when conducting the following two fixes.

Fix #6: Repeatedly tap the padded/rubber usb cover on a hard surface with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. A lot of people have reported success with this method. HOWEVER, there is also some potential for damaging or dislodging internal components with this method, such as unseating ribbon cables, or cracking LCD screens.

Fix #7: Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to gently straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera.