Pentax firmware update *ist-D

You can try to reset camera settings to default from the menu.
And fimware update could help if the software causes the problem.
http://www.us.ricoh-imaging.com/support/download-details/417

SD card write protection lock also should be off.

Updating Firmware on Xacti HD2000

This page explains how to download and install the firmware update for the VPC-HD2000.

• This firmware is for the VPC-HD2000 only. Please do not install it on another model.
• By installing this firmware Greek, Swedish and Finnish will be added as new menu languages. (Please notice that for this purpose the menu languages Traditional Chinese, Simple Chinese and Korean will be deleted!)
  It is not necessary to install this firmware update when there is already the possibility of choosing Greek, Swedish or Finnish as menu language! Please check this before continuing with the update.
• Before updating the firmware, please read through the explanations on this page.
• Make sure to update the firmware in the order shown below.
• The camera might not boot up properly if its power is turned off during the firmware-updating procedure.
• Please read the accompanying licensing agreement before downloading this firmware. Downloading the firmware automatically implies your acceptance of the licensing agreement.

Requirements:

• SD memory card (henceforth referred to as "card") with capacity over 8 MB.
• Fully charged lithium ion battery.
• Additionally, you need one of the items listed below:
  (i) A SD memory card reader (henceforth referred to as "card reader")
  (ii) A dedicated USB interface cable (shipped with the camera).

CAUTION
Be sure not to take out the battery during the updating procedure (this lasts about 60 seconds).
Avoid operating the buttons on the camera or closing the monitor unit during the updating procedure.


I) Preparing to update (copying the firmware onto a card)

Step I.1: Format the card on your camera*

• Turn the camera on and set the "REC/PLAY"-button to "PLAY"
• Press the "MENU"-button.
• Move joystick to the left and select "OPTION MENU 3".
• Move joystick to the right and select "FORMAT". Press the "SET"-button.
• Select "FORMAT". Press the "SET"-button.
• Select "YES". Press the "SET"-button.
  
  *CAUTION
  If you format a card, all images and data stored on that card (whether protected or not) are deleted! Please be sure to move or copy important images and data to a PC or to another card!

Step I.2: Download the Firmware*

• The firmware can be downloaded here.
  
  Firmware Update XACTI HD2000
  s313n081.bin (7.5 MB) *CAUTION:
  Please be sure to download the file onto a hard drive and not onto a removable location such as a card reader.
  The firmware file should be saved in a location where you can easily find it again later (e.g. save it on desktop of your computer).

Step I.3: Copy the file "s313n081.bin" to the formatted card (from step I.1):

The method of operation differs depending on whether you use a card reader (i) or a dedicated USB cable (ii).
(i) When you copy the downloaded files with a card reader: (1) Put the formatted card from step I.1 in the card reader. (2) Copy the "s313n081.bin" file created on your hard disk in step I.2 to the root directory of the card.



(ii) When you copy the downloaded files with a dedicated USB cable: (1) Connect the camera to your PC with a USB cable and turn on the camera. When you connect to your PC, please make sure the camera's USB interface is set to "Card Reader". (Please refer to "Setting the Connection Mode" on pages 7 to 8 of the Instruction Manual in the Xacti Software CD 1.0) Please make sure the camera is recognized as a removable disc. (2) Put the formatted card (from step I.1) in the camera and then copy the "s313n081.bin"-file created on your hard disk (in step I.2) to the root directory of the card.



(3) Remove the camera from computer.
Please read "Dismounting the Camera" on pages 9 to 11 of the Instruction Manual in the Xacti Software CD 1.0 for a description of how to disconnect the camera.

II) Updating firmware on the camera itself

CAUTION>:
Do not turn off the power during the updating procedure (this lasts about 60 seconds)!

• If the power is turned off during the updating procedure, the update may not be properly completed and the camera may not start up.
• To prevent the battery from running out during the updating procedure, please use a fully charged Lithium ion battery.
• Do not remove the battery during the updating procedure.
• Do not operate the buttons on the camera or close the monitor during the updating procedure.

Step II.1: Insert the card with firmware-update file (from step I.1) into camera

Step II.2: Turn the camera on and set the main switch to "PLAY".

• The playback screen will be displayed.
• If the camera is in SIMPLE mode, switch it to NORMAL mode.

Step II.3: Press the "MENU"-button.

• The menu screen will be displayed.

Step II.4: Choose "OPTION MENU 3"

Step II.5: Choose "FORMAT" from the Menu Screen, but do NOT go into "FORMAT"

Step II.6: Move joystick to the left for more than 2 seconds.

• The update screen will be displayed.*
  
  *No Update Screen
  If the update screen is not displayed, it's possible that the update file was not copied onto the card. Please refer to "Preparing to Update" to copy the update file onto the card and follow the updating procedure once more.
  If the main switch is set to "REC", the update screen will not be displayed. Make sure the main switch is set to "PLAY".

Step II.7: Choose "YES" and press the "SET"- button.

• Updating will start.
• During the updating procedure, the screen will show the message, "LOADING. DO NOT POWER OFF", and the access light will flash.
  Please do NOT turn the power off during the updating procedure! (this takes about 60 seconds).

Step II. 8: When the updating procedure is completed, the camera will turn off automatically.

• Please remember to format the memory card once more before using it again.

The camera uses SD memory cards. SD cards max out at 2GB. SDHC cards run from 4GB up, but they cannot be used in SD devices. SD cards can be used in SDHC devices.

The short answer is 2GB.

Did you try formatting the new card in the camera before you tried to use it?

You should be able to use 2GB SD cards. Cards larger than 2GB are actually SDHC cards and will not work with this camera.

You need to upgrade the firmware on the camera. The latest versions will support cards bigger than 1GB; as delivered 1GB was the max.

save the firmware file on your sd card, then you have to find the menu in your camera, to load it in camera memory, make sure your battery is fully charged or it will not work.

Try in custom menu I think. Switch shutter release whilst charging firmware switch whilst flash charging a couple of times. Had sinilar thing with ist DS after firmware update.

I've used Sandisk Ultra II 512M cards, a PQI 1G and a Transcend 1G card (all high speed rated) in the *istDS. I've done about 1500 exposures now, many RAW, and have done several rounds of upload to my computer. No problems at all. These same cards work flawlessly in a Panasonic FZ10 as well. Either you have had a bit of bad luck, two defective SD cards in a row, or have a *istDS with a stuck or bad memory card controller. Try using the Reset command in the Set Up Menu, see if that helps. BTW, always format SD cards with the camera once before you start using them.

I guess You should wait for a firmware update - and do not format the card in the camera until then. I think it won't take long.