ESPIO 170SL problem

Hi all.

I have a Pentax ESPIO 170SL, and have recently had a problem. The LCD is showing two dashes - - no letters or numbers just the two dashes when i try to take a picture.

A couple of weeks ago it was working perfectly well, I came to the end of a roll of film, and the end of the battery life. It sat empty for two weeks. I then loaded a new battery, and a new film, which loaded and advanced as it should. Everything switched on and seemed to be working, but I went to take my first picture and nothing happened, I just got the 2 dashes on the LCD and no film advance. I get the same problem whether a film is loaded, or not. I guessed at some sort of shutter problem, as the film wasn't advancing. I have had this camera for about three and a half years with no problems at all.

I've since taken it into a couple of camera shops, and they have both said it could be the electrics or the shutter, or both. I know a couple of other people who own pentax cameras, I had a pentax before the one I have now, (that also ended up with a shutter problem). I've always assumed Pentax to be top class in the camera world, and having spent £220 on it in the first place, would have hoped that it would have lasted much longer. It's always been well looked after, and used properly. Needless to say I've been quoted the usual rediculously high repair prices, but still not EXACTLY sure what was wrong. How does a camera that was working perfectly well two weeks ago, suddenly not work? Had it been dropped/knocked etc, I could understand it, but it's simply been on a shelf in its case awaiting next use. Annoying...

Does anyone have any thoughts, ideas or have had the same problem. Has anyone else seen the two dashes on their LCD.

Any replies greatly recieved. (Sorry to be so long winded!)

Thanks.