D50 Internal Flash Unit Problem

[Alaskadad]

With all the settings at "AUTO", the internal Flash unit pops UP but doesn't "flash" in darkened conditions. The camera is brand new and the battery is fully charged. After I take a photo, the "flash" symbol that you see in the viewfinder blinks like its recharging the flash circuit even though the light never fires. Using an external flash works, however, that adds a lot of bulk most folks don't want to walk around with. Is there something I'm overlooking or does it sound like this camera has a malfunction?

[tcadwall]

Silly question, but are u sure it doesn't fire?

I only ask this because there was a time where I thought that my on-camera flash didn't fire, when it really did. I actually asked the subjects if it fired and they confirmed.

Since it isn't as powerful as my SB-600 (which I normally have attached), and since the mirror flips up for exposure(so you don't actually see the flash), and possibly the camera battery was getting toward the end of a run, etc.

Not sure exactly, but worth just double-checking.

What is the flash setting? (red-eye, front, rear)

[eduardofrances]

With all the settings at "AUTO", the internal Flash unit pops UP but doesn't "flash" in darkened conditions. The camera is brand new and the battery is fully charged. After I take a photo, the "flash" symbol that you see in the viewfinder blinks like its recharging the flash circuit even though the light never fires. Using an external flash works, however, that adds a lot of bulk most folks don't want to walk around with. Is there something I'm overlooking or does it sound like this camera has a malfunction?

Silly questions without trying to be rude but to try to know what causes your problem

.. does your photos seem dark? the built in flash light is not very perceptible in the viewfinder :)
... Have you dialed exposure compensation?