Same problem: "TUrn your camera off and then on"

If the camera was operating properly before the zoom error then the most common problem to a stuck lens is dirt getting stuck between the two lens barrels. There are a few fixes for this none are guaranteed to solve the problem and should not be attempted if the camera is under any type of warranty. They include removing the batteries for a few minutes, reinstalling the batteries with fresh once with full power, turn the camera on while holding the the zoom button. Another method is to see if you can provide extra power to the focus motor by having the LCD screen turned off. There my be a button that allows you to switch from the viewfinder to the LCD screen switch to the viewfinder and try several times to focus (just point the camera at different distant objects) and attempt to focus the camera. I hope this gives you the results you need because the other suggestions may further damage the camera and are only a (last resort) thing. One is with the camera turned on tap the body on a counter or table edge while trying to zoom the lens obviously in the opposite direction to where it's stuck. The last is to gently push the lens in with the palm of you hand while zooming in. All these are just suggestions and carry no guarantee of working and may further damage the camera. The biggest cause of this problem is dust from a camera bag or some other environmental condition like sand from a beach.

Sounds like your lens might be stuck. Do not force it closed or pull it out for that might further damage parts that are an integral part of its sliding mechanism. http://www.teleplancamerarepair.com/Sony_Cyber-Shot_DSC-W150 can repair this for you and they also clean your camera as part of the repair.
if there were any parts you were not able to put together after you opened it , make sure to very carefully put those back to go along with your camera.

To save battery power, the camera automatically goes into sleep mode and the monitor turns off if there is no operation when the camera is turned on (when the lens cover opens and the monitor is on). No picture is taken even if the shutter button is fully pressed in this mode.
Operate the zoom lever or other buttons to restore the camera from sleep mode before taking a picture. If the camera is left for 15 minutes, it automatically turns off (the lens cover closes and the monitor turns off). Press POWER to turn the camera on.

So 2 weeks ago my Sony DSC-W80 stopped working. Our friends dog ran into the camera (in my girlfriends hand) full speed. It started opening and closing a few times, and then giving the "turn the camera off and back on" message. I read about tapping around the lens, etc. None of this worked.

I took off the camera body and carefully examined the interior of the camera. Turning in on and watching closely, I discovered the problem. Looking at the camera from the front, I saw a slider on the top right side of the lens that appeared to be jammed. I then saw a spring that was attached to the slider and free on the other end. Apparently when the dog rammed the camera, the other mount for the spring broke off (they are very fragile). The purpose of the slider is to adjust the viewfinder based on the zoom range of the lens. I simply removed the slider which had jammed when the spring came loose. Camera works flawlessly now. The only issue is that the viewfinder doesn't zoom, but who uses the viewfinder anymore anyway? Oh, and I have a screw leftover. What project isn't complete without having extra parts when you are done?

Hope this can help someone else!

I had what sounds like the same problem. The camera was dropped and the shutter was stuck open. Just kept showing error message.
As I felt I had nothing to lose I began tapping it on a soft book and the shutter started to appear. I then shut it just using the end of my finger. When I then turned the camera on again it opened and shut when turned off. It has worked fine ever since.
Seems a rather poor design.
Hope this helps. Very best regards Peat.

CHECK BATTERY CONDITION

I had sent my camera in for the same issue and they did nothing to help with it. Seems to happen when battery gets low or dies, lack of on-screen battery meter doesn't help. Typically have to manually twist the lens to close it or open it after fresh batteries installed and then seem to fix it.

I had the same problem turn up after a few weeks. When I used the zoom button, the lens pushed out again and the camera worked normally for that time. I had to go through that procedure every time I turned the camera on.
I then sent it back on warranty and they replaced the lens assembly as well as the mode dial knob etc.
This camera has a 3 year warranty.
good luck...

Knocking the bottom of the lens end of the camera 3 times on a wood table, medium gentle, fixed a zoom error (where it would not focus in zoom)
The camera had been dropped whilst skiing holiday and this method fixed it. Very Happy!.