HP 850 flash quit

[suemccartin]

I'm trying to collect experiences with this on the HP850. The flash pops up but it's like the camera doesn't know that the flash is popped up. It only gives me on and off indications when I press the flash button and of course it never fires. I've had the camera about two years, I'm sure the repair isn't worth it when I can get a 945 for 350.00 on ebay. The lens on this bugger is wonderful and everything else seems to work, I'm just sure this won't be a cheap repair. I had someone on the HP forum reply with the same issue, is this a flaw anyone else has heard about?

[fredsch]

the same thing just happened to me. i can't get any flash options except "flash off" when i go to take a picture. the icon is white, then turns yellow and displays "flash off".

i called hp (my camera is under warranty). they had me pull the batteries for two minutes and try again. same deal.

they said they must replace the camera; then tried to give me an r707. i don't want that camera. i want a 56x zoom like i had. still arguing with them.

did you have any other luck since you posted this?

fred

[gary_hendricks]

My sister is working with HP Singapore and she own the same model (no longer use it). However, her unit is working fine so I guess it must be individual camera flaw.

Wonder if the Flash did not work right from the very beginning (day 1 when you purchase it?) or it malfunction after a few month from your purchase.

[suemccartin]

Mine worked fine for over a year and just suddenly didn't work one day. it sits in the camera bag, I use it for outdoors and just use a different camera when I need a flash.

[preston49434]

We have one and have used it for 2 years and now the flash won't function on it either

[suemccartin]

Not that I think HP will do anything but it sure seems fishy that even this many folks are having a problem. I wish I could reload the firmware but I can't seem to figure out how, would help eliminate that possibility, there is some kind of counter in the firmware for how many flashes have been set off, I wonder if they kill it on purpose after so many flashes hoping you'll just buy a new camera instead of laying out over a hundred to fix an old camera.

[ghud]

I got this problem 2 weeks ago and finally got around to looking at it. Inside the flash lid is a small switch that acts like a refrigerator door switch. The switch was stuck, probably dirt. I carefully exercised the switch a little using a long thin jewelers screwdriver, put the batteries back in and YAHOOO, the flash is working again. The switch is very small, a magnifier and bright light would help.