Just got this camara yesterday. Started using it & after a few pics, I got the CF Error when trying to take a picture & the E50 (in the top LCD status display) when trying to format the disk. Not sure if the shop will be open Sun. If it's a CF problem, I could pick up another at a different shop (& use it as a spare when the original is replaced). Anyone seen this before. Thanks.

Randy

-- Randy Wilson (rtwilson@sympatico.ca), December 11, 1999

Answers

Hiya Randy,

Guess what? I'm facing the exact same problem as you too.. i've searched high and low for a solution online. but none have been helpful enough. This might help you though (but it didn't work for my problem): http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/NOTICE/011214-e.html

So the same as you: the CF card error appears when i taking a shot. and the E50 appears on the top LCD display too..

Did you manage to fix your camera somehow.. coz i'd really like to know how.. It's happened the 2nd time for me. The first time it happened to me, i exhanged my CF card for a new one with the dealer. Looks like a recurring problem, and i'd like to know what i can do to prevent this.

Can anyone help us.. please....

Thanks, Desmund

-- Desmund Ang (desmund@accf.org.au), May 24, 2002.

Hi all,

I have recently started to experience this combination of problem too. I have had my 340MB microdrive checked using a PCMCIA card reader via my laptop and it is working fine. When ever I try to reformat the microdrive after the CF Error has appeared, the S10 will shut down, showing the E50 error message. What I usually do is to let it rest for a day without switching it on, and afterwards, reformat the CF card using the adapter from the charger. Everything will work fine for a while (about a month) before the problem comes back again. Not quite sure what is wrong with the camera!

-- Stephen Ho (s.ho@ieee.org), July 27, 2002.

just to add a me-too to this question. We have an S10 with a 340Mb microdrive that has been working fine for 2.5 years - it has now started taking a very long time to be recognised by the camera, or gives E50 errors.. tried to reformat, no good.

-- Mark Chamberlain (mark@thinktanq.co.uk), August 20, 2002.

I have CANON S20 with 340 MB Microdrive and I had a same problem. This is how I resolved it:

1. Put Microdrive in Notebook 2. Let notebook register it (eventual copy entire DCIM directory from Microdrive to notebook, so you can later restore it) 3. Start DOS window 4. Type FDISK + ENTER 5. When prompted to enable support for large disks choose NO 6. Select option 5 (select different disk) and select Microdrive 7. Select 4. (Display partition details) to ensure that you have selected the good disk 8. If all is OK, select 3 and delete primary DOS partition from Microdrive

TAKE CARE NOT TO DELETE YOUR NOTEBOOK HARD DISK PARTITION

9. Press ESC several times until you are out to DOS prompt

10. Take Microdrive out, put it back in

11. Start FDISK again from the DOS prompt and choose NO support for large hard disks

12. Select option 5 and select Microdrive

13. Select option 1 and create maximal size DOS partition

14. press ESC several times until you are out to DOS prompt

15. Put microdrive to CANON camera and format it.

If it does not work, try formating it in the Laptop and then formatting in the CANON camera and it still does not work - repeat this same process once again.

Those are my experiences! Good luck!

-- Sasa Svitlica (sasa@rak.org), October 14, 2002.

I have a powershot S330 Canon digital camera, and with my new 64Mb LexarMedia CF card I'm getting the e50 error message when it turns on.

It doesn't remain on long enough to format the card, so I have no idea what I am supposed to do.

Thoughts?

-- (canehdianman@shaw.ca), November 01, 2002.

similar problem - I received the E50 - CF error with two different CF cards(64MB and OEM 8 MB CF). I could still read the cards via a PCMCIA CF card reader. I sent the camera in to Canon, who wants to charge $150 (flat fee) for the repair. I have not committed to the repair, and may ask for it back if I can get any good suggestions on fixing it.

-- Ken (kailua_ken@yahoo.com), November 17, 2002.

S-40 and E50 error

Problem with CF card and e50 error on display with brand new canon s- 40. Lost all images on cf card. No idea how tot fix problem. Not possible to reformat CF card.

I consider this a very serious shortcoming of the canon camera.

-- nico schmieman (nico@schmieman.nl), November 24, 2002.

YIPPY. It fixed it. What I did was fdisk the microdrive, removed all partitions, inserted the card back into the camera, re-formatted it using the camera formating and hey-presto.

I am sad that I have lost many months of photography due to this problem but glad to be back in operations.

I hope anyone else experiencing this problem has the same success.

--GEOFF KEYWORDS For Search Engines: E50 ES0 ESO CF CARD ERROR S20 POWERSHOT MICRODRIVE CANON

-- Geoff H. (greenspun.com@adevice.com), November 28, 2002.

Hope it won't be too late to provide the possible cause for "CF Card Error" in Canon Digital Camera:

As stated in Canon web site: http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/customer/windowsxp.html

"2. CF Card Formatting Error Notice

When a CF card with capacity greater than 32MB is formatted in Windows®XP, the "FAT32" File System will be selected as default. Before formatting, choose "FAT" under the File System menu in the Windows XP formatting window.

Most Canon digital cameras do not support the "FAT32" File System format. Exceptions include: EOS-1Ds.

If you use a CF card formatted as "FAT32" on a Canon digital camera that does not support "FAT32", one of the following messages will appear on the LCD of the camera and you cannot shoot a picture:

"No image", "CF card error!" or "CF card full". (Messages are different according to the camera model.)

If you format the CF Card as"FAT32", you can re-format it again as "FAT", in the Windows XP Format window, choose "FAT" in the File System menu or format the CF Card in a Canon digital camera. The Canon digital camera will format the CF Card as "FAT".

If in-camera formatting fails, remove and re-insert the CF Card into the camera, and then format it again."

I will do it myself tomorrow since I can not find my PCMCIA Interface adaptrt card ... >_<

-- Fisch Li (FISCHLI@ms1.url.com.tw), December 22, 2002.

Further to my previous message, I try again to put CF card into PCMCIA adapter and plug into my NB, however my NB still can not detect my CF card which has "CF Card Error" problem in DSC. After trying several times, I turn off the "Beep" option then I can format the CF card in my Canon DSC, much to my surprise!! Then put the formatted CF card into DSC, and it works again!

-- Fisch Li (fischli@ms1.url.com.tw), December 22, 2002.

Similar scenario: Canon S40 shows Error E50 with new 256MB CF card: Solution for me was to check camera settings using Zoombrowser. Option here to format CF card - worked for me - format took <2secs so obviously not full format but forced S40 to recognise card OK. Also note that Canon list updated formware for S40 v1.1.0.0

(Your existing version is viewable in Zoombrowser as above) has some related fixes but unsure if addresses this issue: http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/PSS40/PSS40_Firmware4-e.html

upgrade at your own risk - any glitch will see your camera in for a costly fix by Canon.

Hope this helps folks

-- BigGuy (guy.janney@breathemail.net), January 14, 2003.

I just purchased a powershot G3 (one day old) and a new 256Mb CF card, the problems I get are not with formatting but consistant "CF error" or "data corrupt" messages when viewing the images on the camera, these images will also fail to download to my laptop, Another problem I got is image files dissapearing from the card, when restarting the camera they reappear! I have swapped the card for another 256Mb integral memory CF card but the same problems occur. I have no idea how to remedy this and this level of unreleability from a relatively expensive camera and CF card seems pretty poor. I have perviously owned an IXUS V (s200) with an integral 64Mb CF card and never experienced these problems. About to return the camera to the supplier for replacement so will keep posted if I get a fix.

-- Jay (jasont@mrsystems.co.uk), January 18, 2003.

Chaps..........

sorry to butt in !!

Anbody know where I can get an online user guide or similar ?

Thanks in advance

K

-- Ken S (k.sproston@virgin.net), July 29, 2003.

I got a similar E50 error with my A60.

How do I correct it? Can I correct it without a card reader?

-- ARUNKUMAR SIVARAMAN (arun_junta@rediffmail.com), July 29, 2003.

I think the e50 error code happens when the camera is reading and/or writing to the CF card when the batts. are dead or real low. The camera doesnt get to finish writing data and leaves an error on the CF card ... u can send the now defective CF card to the manufaturer to get it replaced (if still under the warranty). formatting doesnt usually work .. if you have a usb card reader you can try norton utilities to fix it .....

-- Draigo (lord_draigo@yahoo.com), September 11, 2003.

I have a Canon G2 with a 128MB CF Card. now when i want to take picture it will appear that 'CF Card Error' then if i used the G2 n format the CF card it will off my camera n appear 'E50' on the top left screen. how can i fix bk my CF card. as i heard from maybe my CF got electric shock coz bfore this if i not mistaken i forget to off my cam n then plug the AV cable to put to TV n view the picture. but anywhere i able to take some picture also after that. it happen after i had transfer all the picture then i take few picture n i deleted it also then i on CF error. can anyone help?

-- Adrian Chan (kenzo_chan@yahoo.com), October 29, 2003.

After using my Powershot S10 for over 2 years, shooting thousands of photos and just returning from a trip to Mexico I got the E50 error. Camera functioned normally without a CF card inserted, but NOT AT ALL with CF card inserted. I tried all the suggestions mentioned here, including reformatting my 4 CF cards on 2 PC's [USB card reader/PCMIA card reader] I tried FDISK, FAT, even a low level format on the Mac - all didn't work. As soon as I inserted a CF card the camera wouldn't respond. As a last ditch [longshot] effort I carefully took the metal covers off [using a very small Phillips screw driver], and gently wiggled the wires and blew some compressed air into the camera. The front of the camera housing is covered with a plastic covered copper sheet [under the metal housing]. I blew air behind the sheet and lifted it gently. I inserted a CF card - and WOW, the camera came back to life and was working normally!!! I was elated. I tried an other CF card, and - bummer - it was dead again. I moved the copper cover a bit one more time plus wiggled the wires again, and voila, it was working again! I reinstalled the metal housing covers, tightnig all the tiny screws, and it was still working. I tried all of my 4 CF cards successfully, took a number of test shots and it is still working normally now. In my case it seemed, like there was some type of a hardware problem, like a loose connection or short circuit inside the camera. I am not sure. Before my discovery, I was convinced that the problem was caused by some kind of software corruption in the camera's firmware or the CF cards. But maybe we are dealing with a hardware problem caused by a faulty.

I want to share my experience, because it might help some others out there. But it could also be a problem/solution specific only to my camera. Who knows? If you exhausted all problem solving unsuccessful and are ready to ditch your camera you might want to try this. [who wants to pay CANON's $150 service 'ripp-off charge' for a camera you can pick up for less on eBay].

Good luck, hope this works for you! If it does, drop me an email. Sam

-- Sam Salmon (samsalm333@yahoo.com), January 17, 2004.

I had the same problems as Sam Salmon, CF Errors and camera not working as soon as CF card was insert. He was the one who disasemble his camera and blow air in it and played with wires. Well I did the same and now my Canon S10 is working again!! So happy!

Thank you!

-- Steeve (help@z133.com), February 10, 2004.

moi pareil, mais en français powershot S10, error CF au demarrage, error E50 après format, idem sur plusieurs cartes CF démonté un première fois avec un petit tournevis, craché de l'air de partout, remonté : toujours pareil demonté une seconde fois avec le zoom sorti (rentrait 1 fois sur 2), craché de l'air sous la plaque en cuivre qui protège le circuit imprimé (attention elle est collé sur une puce et vissé sur 1 ou 2 points selon modèle) et la miracle ca remarche merci a tous

-- respire (respire_bouffon@hotmail.com), March 13, 2004.

Hi. I had the same thing happen with the E50 errors and I followed Sam Salmon's method (after trying just about everything else) and it worked! Thanks.

-- Jeff Spet (jeffspet@verizon.net), April 09, 2004.

Opening Powershot s20 and using air cleaner fixed a cf card error and e50 error problem.

Thank you to all for your suggestions.

-- B. D. (atlanta96@msn.com), April 18, 2004.

Canon PowerShot S20 with CF 256MB problem: error E50 more than 4000 photo's no problems before I had an idea after putting the camera in the frigidaire for a quarter of an houre the camere is still working like new again all was happening before I read this newsgroup prodeo

-- prodeo (prodeo@wanadoo.nl), May 12, 2004.

Same problem as Sam Salmon. S10 with intermittent E50 errors, also E51, and CF Card Errors. So I took off the front cover, dusted everything off, blew into it. And now it works, good as new. Thanks, Sam!

-- Cheeso (NoNoNo@mailinator.com), June 02, 2004.

I had the same problem cured it twice, by taking it apart and compressed air, it returned again with a vengance. I now cure it by placing both the camera and the battery in the refrigarator for about an hour. This is just a stop gap measure until I get a new Digital camera,, but NOT a Canon

-- Russ Willimas (66mgb@volcano.net), June 09, 2004.

CF Card Formatting Error Notice

When a CF card with capacity greater than 32MB is formatted in Windows®XP, by default, it will choose to format that card with a higher capacity file system. This file system is not supported in the camera models listed below.

EOS D30, PowerShot Pro90 IS, PowerShot Pro70, PowerShot G2, PowerShot G1, PowerShot S20, PowerShot S10, PowerShot S330, PowerShot S300, PowerShot S200, PowerShot S110, PowerShot S100, PowerShot A50, PowerShot A40, PowerShot A20, PowerShot A10, PowerShot A200, PowerShot A100, PowerShot A5, PowerShot A5 Zoom, PowerShot 350 and PowerShot 600/600N.

Before formatting a CF card with capacity greater than 32MB in Windows®XP, change the "File System" menu selection to "FAT" in the Windows XP formatting window.

If you use a CF card that has been formatted with the higher capacity file system on a Canon digital camera that does not support that system, one of the following messages will appear on the LCD of the camera and you cannot shoot a picture: "No image", "CF card error!" or "CF card full". (Messages are different according to the camera model.)

If you format a CF Card using anything other than the "FAT" file system, you can re-format it again in your Canon digital camera. If in-camera formatting fails, remove and re-insert the CF Card into the camera, and then format it again.

-- Canon SUPPORT (canon@vcanon.com), August 20, 2004.

I have a Canon PowerShot S500 and after taking 71 pictures (SanDisk Ultra II CF 256MB) it displeyed E50 error.I can download pictures,but I can't delete them or take new ones.Also I can't do formating on the camera nor my PC(XP).When I tried to format it on PC via card reader(FAT not FAT32) I got "Windows was unable to complete the format",also I can't do format with ZoomBrowser.I tried several others CF cards on my camera and they all worked with no problems. How can I fix my CF card?

-- Dj Teodor (djteodor@yahoo.com), September 25, 2004.

Same problem as. S10 with intermittent E50 errors, and CF Card Errors. So I took off the front cover, dusted everything off, blew into it. And now it works, good as new. Thanks, Everybody!

-- Henrik Janssen (janssen@get2net.dk), September 27, 2004.

Had my S10 for 4 years - was working fine then bam got both CF and E5O errors, plus camera would react very slowly. Read these helpful hints - took cover off and blew air - damn if it didn't fix the problem - thanks everyone!!!

-- Bob Burbank (rburbank@twcny.rr.com), November 07, 2004.

Thanks to Sam Salmon and the S50 Error/CF Card Error problem! I was about to send in my S20 for repairs when I thought I'd take one last look for online help. I followed his advice and removed the cover and sprayed air under the copper sheet. The first couple of tries didn't work, I tried again and noticed that the copper sheet wasn't in full contact with a rectangular component(under the bottom right hand corner of the copper sheet, has some kind of adhesive btween the copper and it). I pressed the copper over this rectangular component to ensure total coverage and voila! it fixed the problem!

-- Nathalie Fonte (nathaliefonte@hotmail.com), November 13, 2004.

I have a 4 year old S20, which had started playing up about a month ago, giving me CF errors even when they should have been fine. It seemed to have fixed itself, but then started again on the weekend, and basically stopped working - it took 20-30 seconds to start up (seemed like it wasn't working at all), then gave CF errors when it did turn on. Trying to format the card gave error E50.

Tried Sam Salmon's method. I couldn't get the front cover all the way off. There seemed to be something with wires stuck to the cover, and I was worried about breaking it. I just blew air in there anyway, and around all the electronics. Put it back together and it seems to be working again. Thanks all.

-- Tom Brennan (website@ozultimate.com), November 14, 2004.

Same problem !! S10, 5 years, working perfectly until couple of month ago. E50 / CF Error. None of my CF cards seemed to work with the camera, but all of them worked with other devices (other cameras, PDA, CF Readers). Tried any kind of formating, firmware updates, etc. I followed Sam Salmon's advide (open it up and clean it) and it worked !! Tnx Sam !!

-- Carlos Villanueva (carlosvillanueva73@hotmail.com), November 24, 2004.

I had the same problem with 3 different CF cards - 1 G 128 MB 32 MB.

So I guess teh problem is with the CANON !

It seems to be working after I blow hard a few times.

Its time somebrough a class action suit against CANON for charging customers to fix what is a DESIGN DEFECT !!!!

-- shekar erasala (serasala@hotmail.com), December 12, 2004.

Same problem with S400 and several CF cards. Following Canon's recommended FAT format did not solve the problem. Opened the back of the camera and before taking it further apart tried it: worked again! Put is back together and works fine! We've had the camera for only 1.5 years and used it a lot.

-- Alexander (nospam@please.com), December 12, 2004.