20 Most Recent Canon PowerShot A590 IS Digital Camera Questions & Answers

Hi Debbie, If I've read the very short note that you posted correctly, you've already inserted new batteries. Provided that you haven't dropped or otherwise damaged the camera the only things I can think of are to check that the batteries are in correctlycorrectly and if so, check the charge of them by putting them into something else.

Although this is a fairly current and fairly expensive digital camera, I must say that the repair of this damage will not be cost justified. Routine inspection for the repair will be between 50 and 75 after shipping. This may be applied to the total estimate, but my experience is that the overall repair will be above 200 dollars. Looking at the replacement with a new identical A590 for $284 with free shipping on Amazon tells me you should not proceed with the repair, it will not be "like new". Repairs typically leave minor tool marks and often make the camera feel a bit "loose" even when done by expert repairmen. If you are not especially attached to this model of camera you may be able to find similar features on a model that is being sold on final clearance, etc. Put searches together on buy.com and amazon.com, you may be surprized what you can buy with the repair money. If you do decide to repair, use Canon authorized local service or ship the camera to Canon after contacting their repair department by phone or website. Remember that most repairs are priced based on SLR style cameras with interchangeable parts and costing 4 to 10 times more -- these cameras can more easily justify the costs of repairs.

Try these procedures.

Before you give up on the camera:

There are many setting that can affect whether the flash works or not.
You may have inadvertently set something that is stopping the flash from working.

Get out your User Manuals and use the index at the back of the book.
Look for something about "Resetting the camera".

This will reset the camera to factory specifications.
Then see if the flash works.

If that does not work ... recharge the battery and try again.

If that does not work, the flash is likely dead.

Connect the camera to the USB port on the computer (computer and camera should be turned on) and wait. Put the camera in view photo mode and then push the button the looks like a page and an arrow sending it off to the right (this is to upload photos and videos to your computer). The computer should detect the camera and find the driver and load it. Then it will open a window/screen on your Dell saying it can download photos and ask what to name them (or the folder) and if you want to delete them from your camera or keep them on there. I would keep them until you know how this works and where to find them on your computer. You should have a cable that came with the camera that has a small end that connects to the camera end (open the soft gray rubber rectangular opening to locate the connection point). The larger end is for the USB port on the side of a laptop or the back of the processing unit of the desktop unit (tower). Hope this helps you out.

Try NOT connecting your camera to your computer. The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries. Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo management program such as Picasa ( http://picasa.google.com ).

I don't know a firm that is handing out repair manuals for free. They most of the time don't sell the manuals to every one. You have to prove you are capable of repairing their equipment to the standards they require. Sometimes manuals can be found on the net.The best chance I can give you is with ifixit. And if your camera is not opened by them yet, perhaps you find a similar one that can help you. You can order spare parts with them too.

Change the "My Colors" mode. See page 106 of the manual: http://www.fixya.com/support/p926447-canon_powershot_a590_digital_camera/usermanual-F28C12D-pdf

Do you have a question about this camera?

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program such as Canon ZoomBrowser or Picasa ( http://picasa.google.com ).

If you dropped the camera, all the batteries in the world are not going to help !!!!! It needs to be repaired or replaced which ever is cheaper.

Try getting some quality rechargable NiMH batteries and see if they last longer for you. The ones that I use in my A590 are rated at 2500 mah and last quite a while so far. I wouldn't recommend batteries rated at less than 2000 mah for this camera.

Best regards,
Bob