deader than a doornail

[Jayell]

In the midst of toying with my camcorder yesterday (Canon HV40) it suddenly went completely dead (would not turn on to either CAMERA or PLAY .. tape does not release .. no action). I changed the battery pack (to one I'm pretty sure was charged up) .. still no response .. then plugged it into the charger for a couple hours .. the charging lite never came on.

I know there's a lithium battery. I've had the camera less than a year. Would that need changing already? Manual makes it sound like it might need charging after several months of no use, but I've never gone more than a week or so without using it. And should the charging lite come on if it's charging? If I can ever figure out where it is, I'll try changing it Any other ideas?

[Paul LS]

Sorry to hear that I dont have an HV40 so may not be able to help. Which battery are you refering to? The main camcorder battery? These will need recharging if left for a few months without use. Or are you refering to the battery for keeping the time on your HV40? I should imagine the camcorder will work without this.

Another thing... have you tried the camcorder reset button that sits under the battery.

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

Don't have that camera but did it come with a mains adaptor? If so, does it work with that?

[Jayell]

Or are you refering to the battery for keeping the time on your HV40? I should imagine the camcorder will work without this.

I was referring to the backup battery that keeps the time. Thought it might be worth a try. But doesn't matter .. I can't find it anyway.

Another thing... have you tried the camcorder reset button that sits under the battery.

Didn't help any .. but thanks, I didn't even know that existed.

[Jayell]

Don't have that camera but did it come with a mains adaptor? If so, does it work with that?

It did come with a power adapter .. used for charging. But, no it doesn't function with that plugged in either.

[Chuck Engels]

Sounds like you will need to contact Canon Jayell. Hopefully they have a service center nearby.
Or it could be that they have a trick they can tell you over the phone

[Jayell]

Sounds like you will need to contact Canon Jayell. Hopefully they have a service center nearby.
Or it could be that they have a trick they can tell you over the phone

Yes, I was just online looking for one. But interestingly enough I decided to plug the power adapter in for one last try .. and I'm getting the charging light!! That's something new. Will see what happens in the next couple hours.

[Jayell]

Lights! Camera! Dancing girls!
Oh wait .. that last one was me, because I was so excited that my camera seems to be working again! Seems like things got better after hitting the RESET. Thanks Paul!

Now if only I could find that little tarantula that was posing for me so nicely on the front porch last nite when everything when wrong with my camcorder.

[Paul LS]

Very strange, not sure if it was the reset button that fixed it but I am glad you are up and running again.

[Jayell]

Very strange, not sure if it was the reset button that fixed it but I am glad you are up and running again.

Well, I guess it got me running just long enough to charge the battery .. which within 18 hours completely discharged. My little camera is now on it's way to the camcorder hospital.

[Chuck Engels]

Sorry to hear that Jayell, I hope they can revive it quickly for you

[tiny]

Back in the day, I think they use to fix just about any issue for about $125 or something, plus shipping. But I don't know if that is any longer the case. It sounds like some connection is loose/spotty. Maybe that can be covered under warranty?

[Jayell]

It sounds like some connection is loose/spotty. Maybe that can be covered under warranty?

Seems to be a short of some kind. It BETTER be covered under warranty!! The camera is only 7 months old!

[hpharley90]

Jayell me being an HV40 owner also I was wondering how you made out with your camera?
I didn't realize how much time went by and never forgot about your issue.

[Jayell]

I sent it to the camcorder hospital. They said nothing was wrong with it. Me thinks they forgot to tell me something. It's worked great since then!
Since I had to pull out my old SD 100 yr-old camcorder for a few weeks, it made me sooooo appreciate my new one when I got it back.