S4 - camera wont turn on

Hi
I have a pantax S4, everything has been wokring fine until last week. Now when I turn on the camera, the light comes on, there is a series of short beeps and then it turns off again. The lens does not even come out of the body of the camera.
I'm on holiday in America so it's really annoying, does anyone have any tips/ idea on how I could fix this myself ?
Thanks, Glen

A low battery is a possible culprit.

hi glen, i have this problem with my S4 but the lens comes out then the camera beeps then retracts. It certainly not the battery on mine....

peace
chop

I have the same problem, four short beeps and then it turns off. The Lense is stuck half way and will not go in or out.

If you see the thread titled Optio S problems
at https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/ftopic194.html
you will find lots of people with the earlier model have similar problems, and Pentax claim no liability, siting impact damage as the cause. Sadly I did drop my camera, but it worked for 24 hours after that, so it is odd that it would suddenly stop working.

Any thoughts anybody?

Unfortunately, the S doesn't have any way of resetting the software yourself, using drivers, etc as with the later models.

I've read a lot on this matter and it's a return to a Pentax repair, I'm afraid. Pentax will also deny any manufacturing problem and blame it squarely on 'user misuse/neglect' - a matter that has angered many of us S users......

Rab

Hi!!

I have an Optio S and had the same problem (I turn on the cammera, the lens comes out but when I head a sound the lens goes back). I could solve it with smooth blows on the hand. I hope this could help you!!

I've just been given the same answer from pentax, one day my camera was working, the next morning i turned it on and the zoom lens got stuck in the out position, no amount of shaking or battery recharging did anything.. i sent it in to pentax assuming a free repair on warrany an was told it was sand damage that has caused it ..
Now they demansd £100 to have it fixed. very expensive.. and since the camera has been discontinued i can only assume that the camera has a design fault in it. ( Which they won't admit)
The place I bought it saidf they were not able to repair it under the warranty i bought from them because if pentax says it's through neglect then its my fault !!!

I will never ever buy pentax again and I have a web company gettting thousands of visitors per day and i will tell all of them too.

Robert Southey

I have purchased new optio S and after a few uses it suddenly stop the lenses and now are blocked in the middle. I turn it on, turn it off, replaced battery and nothing. I sent to reparation center (guarantee) and after 3 months they returned me back the camera. I used again 2 or 3 times and again same problem. Lenses are blocked and i can't do anything with camera. I didnt hit camera anytime, I was very carefull with it carrying all the time in its cover.
I guess (after read many many mails of a lot of people all around the world with the same problem) that this is a shit problem of PENTAX OPTIO Sx models.
Im sure I won't buy again a PENTAX camera.
If someone knows a solution for that shit problem, please, post it inmidiatelly. Thanks in advice.

I am having the reverse problem. The camera won't turn off, but it won't take pictures, either. Grrrrr...

Pentax compacts (digitals in particular) do seem to have more than their fair share of problems don't they?
Foul language might make you feel better but it's not exactly constructive is it?

Please remember that this is a public forum and is not directly associated with Pentax, this site is dedicated to Pentax enthusiasts and while we offer advice based on knowledge and personal experience, technical / warranty issues should be addressed (with a certain level of decorum) to the relevant Pentax department.

Sorry, I thought the post Kimbo was referring to was a bit over the top so I've deleted it.

It's appreciated if guests don't use foul language on the forum, edited by asterisks or not.

Anybody know if the user can fix/change anything inside the camera that will fix this?

Got a trip in two weeks, can't afford new camera, and this suddenly occurred on mine.