error A90

Hello,

Im currently in Australia travelling and have a problem with my pentax optio-s (yes its fairly old). I am hoping there is something i can do to fix my camera as it has decided not to work anymore. Does anybody know if the problem can be fixed by me...or do i have to send it off. Im restricted for time (due to the travelling), so if its going to be lenghtly and expensive i might just invest on a new camera....if so whats the optio s60 like?
Thanks in advance for your help,

Sophie

Hi Sophie, and welcome to the forum,

You don't say specifically what's wrong, but I assume you mean that there's no power at all.. no lights nothing. The obvious first thing is to try new batterys. After that, I'm guessing that you'll need it checked professionally.

There are five Pentax approved service centres in Australia, according to my list, and are all branches of the same firm.. CR Kennedy and Company Ltd.

They are in..
Melbourne 61-3-9823-1555
Sydney 61-2-9518-9500
Brisbane 61-7-3862-6222
Adelaide 61-8-8410-0533
Perth 61-8-9381-7144

If you give the nearest one a ring, and see what they can do. I know you could be a 1000 miles from any of them in Australia, but they may be able to put you in touch with someone locally, if they exist.

I don't know about the Optio range at all, but if this is a once in a lifetime trip, then it may be worth spending money on another camera anyway, just to make sure you get your photos. Then when you get to somewhere that can fix yours, you'll have two cameras for the rest of the trip. Even if you just buy a bag full of disposable 35mm cameras, make sure you don't miss the photo opportunities.

Hope that helps,

Cheers

Liam

Error codes are listed here:
https://www.pentaxuser.com/faq/pentaxerrorcodes.html

(A90 doesn't look good - an electronic fault)
Matt

Dear Liam,

Cheers for the reply,the error occured while trying to take a picture when the camera just wouldnt open. Now if i turn on the camera the lens opens and all thats displayed on the screen is A90 (in white on a black screen), ive checked the batterys(both fully charged).

Im in Cairns at the moment and plan to visit some camera shops tomorrow,

What are some good models out now?

Cheers Sophie :O)

Hi Sophie,

as Matt said, and he knows what he's talking about.. unlike me, it's not looking good for your camera. Nothing user fixable certainly.

I personally use a digital SLR, the *ist DL, so haven't really got a comment to make on the range of compacts available. If you're going to the shops anyway, then hopefully you'll get an assitant that will take a bit of time discussing what you need and let you have a play with a few cameras to get the feel of them.

It really depends on your budget. If you can afford one of the *ist D range of digital SLRs, you will get a tp of the range camera and some fantastic photos, but if you haven't used an SLR then there will be a steep learning curve, although set to auto pic, you will get the shots as soon as you switch on. A 1gB memory card will fit about 350-400 photos at top jpg quality.

I'm sure someone here can tell you more about the compact range though.

Cheers

Liam

Sophie, After a bit on digging on the 'net, I found some discussion on "other forums" about the A90 error message. First trouble shooting step seems to be to navigate the menus and look for a "system initilization" option.

Then, some people suggest if that works, you should update the firmware to the latest release (but you may not have the ability to download files on your travels )

I culled the follwoing from information elsewhere on the web. I cannot verify that it is accurate, beyond the fact that the firmware file exists at that location, and that it is virus free. If you follow these instructions, you do so at your own risk! You could end up with a very dead camera, but if you are resigned to it being "dead" already it may be worth a try.

Step1. Download the firmware from rapidshare (the original firmware files don't seem to be available from pentax any more)



http://rapidshare.de/files/9676896/fwdc110p.zip.html

Take the free option, and at the second page don't be tempted to click the paypal link, just wait. I downloaded the file and checked that it was virus-free.



-fwdc110p.bin works for the S

-fwdc124p.bin works for the S4i

-fwdc130p.bin works for the S5i



Step2. Unzip it and put it to root of the removable drive of the Optio S (the SD card)


Step3. Press MENU+FlashIcon+ON

The screen will show

++ KB341 ++
PR : 03.02.27.16.34
LD :2.00
MI : 111

Step4. Press MF twice

Step5. Press Right OK twice

Step6. Press MENU


The screen displayes Menu with 11 options

Step7. Select ROM UPDATE using the down key

Step8. Press OK

Step9. Select SYSTEM INITIAL

Step10. Press OK

Step11. Again OK

Step12. Switch OFF


Step13. Press MENU+ON

Then the dialog "Program Update (Yes, no) appears

Step14. Use up key to select: YES

Loading message comes on screen followed by

COMPLETE

Step15. Switch OFF the camara

Step16. Switch ON





P.S. Liam, are you hoping for a sales commission?

Following your advice and a search around Cairns i managed to locate an internet cafe that could download the file and put it on the sd card.
with my fingers crossed i followed the instructions and......
my camera works again.
Thankyou so much for your help,
there is one happy traveller in Australia now,

Sophie )

Glad to hear it Sophie, have a great time in Australia, and don't forget to post a photo or two of your travels.

Ammonyte.. great work.

Cheers

Liam

My pleasure, Sophie. Have a great time in Oz (I'm so jealous!)

Actually I ought to credit http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=55481&forum_id=24 where I cribbed the answer from!


Tim a.k.a King of google a.k.a

Hey there

Hoop that jou can help me white my optio s camera

A90 on it

menu +flash &power
works than i get

pr :03.09.18.20.17
ld: 1.45
mi:19

fynely i do system intitial and its syas SUCCESS

than turn it off

whene i turn it on Menu & power i get v 1.01 and thene A90

Can jou help me????

Can someone help me find the frimware file named -fwdc110p.bin
I can't seem to find it anywhere.
Many thanks for your attention all