Nikon 950 -- Dead or Alive

[prinsass]

I know this model is *old* :( but I would like to know if anyone has a fix for this problem. The camera froze half way through a firmware upgrade and now, as you know, does not work at all. Other than spending mega $$ on shipping it to Nikon, is there a fix for this? I'll wait patiently whilst holding said camera over trash bin..... :D

Thanks in Advance ..

Lone

[George Riehm]

If you decide to trash it, please do so to my mailing address. The 950 may be old, but it takes some great photos.

Nikon will probably only charge $100 or so to fix it so maybe you should give it to someone with the shipping address of Nikon Service. It's definatly worth $100.

Nikon may actually have a home brew fix as well. Give em' a call. :)

[Jake Conner]

You might get it to go back to defaults by taking out the battery and waiting overnight for the capacitor to discharge. If that fails, Rhys has another way of getting capacitors in Nikon 950s to discharge. It involves pentagrams and sulfur from Sicily. Jeff, any progress getting the old messages back?

Jake

[Jeff Keller]

Jeff, any progress getting the old messages back?

No. That's a problem way out in the future, and I am not optimistic.

[prinsass]

Thanks George... before I trash, I'll find out the cost.. I'm in Australia, so it could be a tad more than $100 :( ..... but.. it DID take awesome photos!! It just had a few problems staying *ON* lol .... ty for advice :D If i decide to trash it.. I'll let you know first :)

[prinsass]

This is the reply I got from the Nikon Agents in Australia:
Dear Lone,

Unfortuately the firmware cannot be put back in. The only solution is to replace the circuit. I am not sure how much this will cost at present. To have the camera inspected/repaired you can contact our service agent in your state. Details can be found at http://www.maxwell.com.au/service/centres.html

Regards,

Rod Meredith
National Service Manager
Maxwell Optical Industries
Unit F1, Lidcombe Business Park
3-29 Birnie Ave, Lidcombe, NSW 2141
rodm@maxwell.com.au
www.maxwell.com.au


Somehow that doesn't seem right :(

[George Riehm]

Try going through Nikon directly. Try the Nikon USA guys. Me thinks the guy is "full of bull". But you never know.

Have you tried to reconnect via the serial port? Also have you tried Jakes idea of resetting the camera by leaving the batteries out for 24 hours?

Admittedly these are desperation ideas, as generally a freeze during firmware upgrade is a "send it to Nikon" problem.

[prinsass]

I've just sent a request through the USA Nikon website for the repair information.... they said I should get a reply in about 3 days.. As to Jeff's idea... although good... we tried that first thing, as that's what it was doing all the time anyway, freezing. But, sadly it didn't work. I'll report back what the USA mob have to offer when I get it. Again, Thanks for your input! :)

[George Riehm]

While we await the masters voice...

Have you tried loading the upgrade onto a CF card, then turning the camera on. You have to put the upgrade firmware in the root file folder so the camera sees it first. Hey it's worth a shot.