Battery/power-up problem Camera will not stay powered up. The "low battery" indicator shows up on the display, and then it shuts off shortly thereafter. I've tried many combinations of AA batteries to make sure it wasn't really a low battery problem. I have not used any of the batteries Sony warns against in their manual (e.g. Manganese, etc.). Any ideas before I go look for a new camera? Thanks in advance for your help. MG

This is probably a battery issue and not a camera issue. Batteries with low output or low power can be due to them sitting and not being used for long periods of time. This can affect their ability to get a full charge as their "memory" is reduced regardless of what the charge light indicator displays. Even taking a battery that has been sitting for a long period and charging it to full charge, might only have limited power. Some of these can be returned to almost full capacity, but it takes multiple, repeated, alternating, charges and power deletions to rebuild the memory. In many cases, however, the battery just needs to be replaced.

Well the first thing I would do is recommend you send your unit in for service as you may end up doing more harm then good. You can call and get free estimates on what this may cost. If you need any further assistance or help locating a service center let me know.
Thanks,
lee

Unfortunately there is no real solution to this problem other than keeping extra batteries to switch out for the dead ones if you are shooting for a while. Here is what your camera's manual has to say about short battery life:

The battery run time is brief. You are using the camera in a cold environment. Battery performance deteriorates in low temperatures. Keep the camera warm by putting it inside your coat or clothing. - The remaining battery power is not indicated correctly. When battery consumption fluctuates considerably, the camera may turn off without displaying the battery

From what I just read on the Cobra website, you may be misinterpreting the battery indicator lights:

My radio keeps showing low batteries

This may simply be a matter of misinterpreting the low-battery indicator. We use two different types of battery indicators:

1. Battery Level Indicator: This battery indicator is always visible, and has several segments. When all the segments are lit, the batteries are full. When only the last segment is lit, the batteries are almost exhausted.
   
2. Low Battery Indicator: This type is usually NOT visible. It only appears when the batteries are low, at which time it flashes on the display to warn you of a low battery condition.

Please note that when you turn on your radio it first performs a display test. Everything on the display will light up for a few seconds, including the Low Battery Indicator. This does not mean that the batteries are low. After a few seconds the display test will end, at which time the Low Battery Indicator should go away.

Here is a link to the Manual for your radio:

https://www.cobra.com/downloads/manuals/PR260WX_MANL.pdf

It is a PDF file, which requires that you have Adobe Reader or equivalent installed on your computer for it to open and display properly. If you don't have it, it can be found here (it's free!):

http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Good luck!

A fast check to determine whether you have a problem with the power adapter, power cord or the laptop's battery is to turn off the laptop, remove the battery, connect the power adapter, turn on the laptop & see if it works.
If the laptop works directly from the power adapter with the battery removed, then the power adapter is good. In this case we can suspect that the battery is defective.

I also have this problem. I put freshly recharged batteries in the DX3900 and the camera starts to turn on and reads the memory card (the green LED blinks) and then I notice that the in CAPTURE mode the lens does not extend out of the body housing. The top display shows a flashing low battery warning and after approx. 15 seconds, the camera shuts off with no function.

I have determined that the camera appears to have changed its low battery sense level as I have verified that the batteries are indeed fully charged by using a volt meter. If I have the camera in a warm environment, and do not have the LCD display on (removes a major power drain) the camera can be made to work for a short while. If I select the LCD to turn on, the extra drain seems to cause the camera's battery monitor to think that the battery voltage is too low and the camera shut down. I have yet to resolve this issue.

If it's a short, not much that you can do other than try to track down the short location with a voltmeter. But I do have doubts that a short is causing this. The A300 is a notoriously power hungry camera. It's the first digital Canon to use two AA batteries. It takes great pictures, but unfortunately Canon didn't spend much time focusing on battery efficiency in getting the new two battery design out the door. As a work-around, try taking pictures by shutting off the display (press the DISP button) and using the optical viewfinder. Also the camera works best with high power rechargeable NiMH batteries rated 2500mah or better. Very inexpensive NiMH batteries are generally weak, and if no rating is shown on the package or battery, should be avoided.

Did the batteries come with the camera? If not, they might not be a high enough mah rating. Some batteries, even though brand new, may not be strong enough to power a camera.

What brand of memory card are you using? Sandisc, Toshiba and Panasonic are the only ones that really work with the cameras. If using one of those trying resetting the camera.

Menu
go to setup
go up to reset
press right arrow
highlight reset
press set

If that doesn't work....Send it into repairs and they will send you an estimate on what it would cost to fix it. Give them a call at 800-706-2534 option 2.

possible short circuit that is draining battery at a speed. get your camera tested at some good repair shop,