LCD image is greyscale and distorted image vertically

I don't know much about firmaware upgrade. Check here
http://www.velocityreviews.com/threads/firmware-upgrade-for-minolta-dimage-7.510561/

Is there a slide switch on the side of the card?

A charge-coupled device (CCD) is a light-sensitive integrated circuit that stores and displays the data for an image

You both are in luck. This sounds like a defective Sony CCD issue. Sony will fix your Minolta camera for free (with free shipping) regardless of warranty. You need to do this before March 31, 2008 so get going! See this link:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?template_id=1&news_id=131#
The Dimage models that Sony is accepting for the recall repair are:
Dimage 7HI, 7I, A1, Xi, F300, XT, X20, S414.

I got the same problem back in December of 2006 (9 months ago). Since then, the camara has been on the shelf inside its case. Of course, I've been thinking about when to send it for repair or just buy a new camera. Just today, I got in the mail a letter from Monolta informing me of a class action lawsuit involving the DiMage A1 cameras. The problem is related to faulty CCD sensor creating the problem of a distorted image on the LCD and viewfinder. They will repair it or reimburse any repairs you may have already done or a reimbursement if you bought a new camara as a replacement. Replacements have a limit of up to $206. Go to http://ca.konicaminolta.com/ccdsettlemen... for more info on the lawsuit. There is also a link to a site to start the repair part. There is a deadline to apply for the repair which is three years from the time of purchase or March 31, 2008. RicoE

This sounds like a defective Sony CCD issue. If so, Sony will fix your Minolta camera for free (with free shipping) regardless of warranty. You need to do this before March 31, 2008 so get going! See this link:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?template_id=1&news_id=131#
The Dimage models that Sony is accepting for the recall repair are:
Dimage 7HI, 7I, A1, Xi, F300, XT, X20, S414.

Maybe the CCD imager is dead. Please contact your nearest Sony Service. If you need more info please advice

This is part of a known problem with the SONY image sensors that operate the lcd. There is in fact a recall that will replace the bad componets. You need to contact SONY for repairs. Check out this website to learn more about your problem. http://www.imaging-resource.com/badccds.html

The camera does not require a new CCD. This problem is most likely due to a stuck or malfunctioning shutter mechanism in the lens. Normally the camera will open the shutter to allow you to see the image so you can compose, and then when you take the picture it will close the shutter momentarily and record what the CCD saw at that moment. If the shutter does not open in the first place - all you see is black. If this is in fact your issue the camera will need to be repaired. David Millier Advance Camera Repair

hi, as per my experience symptoms you described is related to ccd. I think ccd replacement is must.It is really hard and costly to fix this problem but if you have bill and warranty dont worry. Just go to KonicaMinolta shop. good luck...