"Go Figure" for the day.

[unixronin]

"And it goes like this!"¹

1. cymrullewes' Olympus D-500L digital camera develops an odd fault and will power up with alkaline or lithium primary cells, but not with NiMH rechargeables any more.
2. I call Olympus.  Olympus is baffled, but suggests we send it in for free diagnosis and a repair estimate.
3. We send it in.  The repair estimate comes back at $245.  We say, "No thanks, can't afford that right now."
4. Olympus sends the camera back to us.  We unpack it and put the batteries and flash RAM card back in.  Now it won't power up at all, even on brand-new lithium cells.  "Crap," we think, "Olympus broke the camera."
5. Acting on a hunch, I hard-reset the camera, then put the new lithiums back in.  Camera powers up.  "Huh."  So I swap the older, partly-used lithiums in.  Camera powers up.  "Huh."
6. Acting on another hunch, I drop in a set of recently-charged 2300mAh NiMH rechargeables.  Camera powers right up.

Go figure.

---

[1]  Reference!

Comments

[databeast.livejournal.com]

I've done the same thing for at least two friend's high-end digital cameras before.

everyone should remember that digital cameras are computers run off firmware, that spend 99% of their time in standby mode, *not* turned off, it's rare for a digital camera to be truly powered down more than once every couple of months. Like any piece of firmware-driven hardware... a good reboot can do wonders.

[cymrullewes.livejournal.com]

But Conrad! It's a microSPARC! ;-D

Come visit. I'll pick you up from the Boston Amtrak station. The Acela should be a nice fast trip.

[databeast.livejournal.com]

hrmmm, dunno its gonna be possible, boss comes back into town tommorow, and if we get everything finished up, I'm on a plane on Saturday

[cymrullewes.livejournal.com]

Bah. And humbug.

If you don't get everything finished up?

[databeast.livejournal.com]

then you can all come see my head on a pike, at the AFBA Building, 909 North Washington, Alexandria, VA

[robbat2.livejournal.com]

i'm interested as to what you did for a hard reset? as the 'factory reset' option in the menu was obviously not available.

There's this button....

[cymrullewes.livejournal.com]

behind the door where the memory card slots in.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

There's a recessed reset switch in the flash memory compartment that can be operated with a paper clip or similar object.

[mrmeval.livejournal.com]

Send a letter to their public affairs that this happened and you blogged it. They were being fraudulent in their diagnosis and should be called on it. If you have time a polite not to the Attorney General should get some notice. Tell the camera maker that. :)

[radarrider.livejournal.com]

I was encountering an issue with my phone (Audiovox SMT5600 Smartphone) where the battery was dying in less than a day. This wasn't a gradual development which is why I suspected it was something other than a worn out battery. I performed a hard reset and now the battery life is back to normal. Clearly there was some program or other running which was somehow sucking power.

[schmi.livejournal.com]

Hello, completely unrelated, but I had a question:

You mentioned that you owned the Daytona Security Evos. I just found out that they aren't waterproof. Isn't that a big negative? I'm not sure if you used them purely for trackdays or racing, or also for regular riding (commuting/roadtrips). Did you just not wear them when it rained?

I really want to get them, but I'm not sure about how they will hold up in Seattle weather where it drizzles the year round.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

I haven't ever found it to be a problem. In light drizzle, I'd say some silicone-based waterproofing applied to the outer would be fine. I've ridden in torrential downpours in San Jose a few times, and my feet stayed dry.

Now if you were riding in heavy rain for extended periods, I can see some water getting through. But I'd think waterproofing the outer would take care of that.

[schmi.livejournal.com]

Sweet! Thanks for letting me know. I didn't know I could waterproof the outside. I'll see what I can find.

Do you own the Security Evos or the Evo Sports? I'm leaning toward the latter because they are slightly cheaper and they let you walk around, while the former is a pure race boot.

(You know, I wish they would make a boot like the Evos which was waterproof *and* had a higher heel, but I can dream. :)

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

I have the Security Evos. I don't think the Evo Sports was out when I bought mine. A bit higher heel would be nice, actually; I don't walk too well in the Evos, with my screwed-up left foot and ankle.

[schmi.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I agree.

I know you're a big fan of the Daytonas, but how do you think they compare with some of the high-end Sidis, which are still a lot more affordable comparatively?

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I don't know, because I haven't looked at the high-end Sidis hands-on. :) It seems there's a bunch of boots out there now inspired by the Security Evo. From what you can tell from ads, the Sidis seem pretty sound.

[schmi.livejournal.com]

Like these for instance: http://www.newenough.com/sidi_vertigo_corsa_boots_page.htm

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Indeed. (Though I find the Vertigos a bit garish for my tastes.)

[olafthunderfoot.livejournal.com]

move?

[schmi.livejournal.com]

I wish!

[olafthunderfoot.livejournal.com]

it only cost me $12k to move from lost angels to spokane!