disposable dakota digital cam mod...stuck in "PC" mode

[vexingv]

any of you fellas get this camera and made the cable for it? it was fine for me...i took a couple of shots etc. but now the camera cant turn on...like i have to hold that switch but once i let go it turns off. when i have it on the lcd displays "PC". i got it to go back to picture mode by hold the switch, sliding the battery cover, and then sliding it back. but it only stays inside the "camera mode" for the duration its on. once it is turned off it has the same problem.

anyone can help or direct me to somewhere i can find help?
thanks

 

[vexingv]

oops...forgot if any of y;all dont know what i'm talking about:
http://cexx.org/dakota/
http://cexx.org/dakota/palmlink/index.html

 

[TitanDiddly]

I have a different camera altogether, but I had an issue with it displaying 'PC' all the time. The issue was that the focus ring was adjusted, which only works when it's connected via USB. I just turned it back to the 'zoomed out' position and it worked.

Edit since I don't want to bump the thread: It's and 'Evision 123'. It sucks.

 

[vexingv]

this is a hacked disposable digital camera..so there are no such adjustments

 

[ApacheXMD]

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox
I have a different camera altogether, but I had an issue with it displaying 'PC' all the time. The issue was that the focus ring was adjusted, which only works when it's connected via USB. I just turned it back to the 'zoomed out' position and it worked.

Which camera are you talking about? If it's any one of the Dakota Digital disposable cams, that's strange considering the lens assembly isn't related to the electronics at all. It should have no effect on anything electrical, unless you're doing something wrong.

Vexingv: When you did the hack, did you open up the camera at all? I've never heard of that problem before, but perhaps something isn't in the right place inside the cam. I know the solder joints for all the wired connections are a bit fragile, perhaps something's loose inside the cam?

If you didn't open the camera and just made a cable, then I don't know what to say. Try opening it up and see if anything's amiss.

-patchy

 

[vexingv]

ApacheXMD,
i didnt open the camera up...i just made the cable and everything worked fine. i did some shot and transferred and erased a couple of times to make sure the software was in order. then i pulled the cable out. but then i tried turning on the unit and it wouldnt turn on. i would have to hold the switch and then it would only display "PC" as if connected to the computer. after some fiddling with the battery cover (turning it on and off repeatedly) it would display the exposures left as usual. but once turned off it still had the problem.

i checked the inside of the camera and everything is fine. this is frustrating since i spent so much time making the cable (its the first time i ever worked w. an solder and an ironing gun!).

 

[ApacheXMD]

ah that sucks.. longshot, but maybe try changing the batteries? And maybe double check the wiring you did for the cable, perhaps somewhere something went wrong, maybe a solder connection is loose on the wire side and fried something.

But if all else fails, you can always just try to get another camera.. since you already have the cable made, you would only be out $10.99.

Don't let this discourage you from other projects, though. I remember when I got my first soldering iron.. it has been loads of fun since, and is a great tool to have. Practice makes perfect!

-patchy

 

[vexingv]

my cable is fine...i did a bad job splicing the cable but that was b/c it was a test job after i knew it worked, i had resoldered the splicing section and taped each wire individually so that nothing shorted. it was still working after that, until a few more reconnects later...i'd get a new one, but the ritz camera i went to no longer had them.

anyone can offer other ideas?