Our Camera keeps turning on and off and will not stay on. We have changed the battery and that didn't fix the problem. How can we fix this and if we are unable to fix ourselves, where can we get it fixed? Please find a repair center closest to our postal code of L4M 6M6. Thanks

Here are some troubleshooting steps for the lens error problem. And here's a video summary of those steps:

Change the battery.
http://www.2deals.net/Digital-Camera-Battery/Battery.html

all of my research yields that this is a very common problem with this camera and there appears to be no solution that has been shared yet...that's why I didn't list this as a solution....sorry for not being able to help.

It's very likely the CCD sensor that needs to be replaced. If you need to have it serviced, this place is excellent for the Powershots and not much at all if you need to have one fixed: www.camerasandparts.com
Before having it fixed, press the DISP button first and make sure you just didn't turn the display off. If you end up needing service for the Canon, that place above is really great for these cameras.

Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera

This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camera. Some common error messages that might show up on the LCD's of cameras with this problem include "E18 lens error", or "lens error, restart camera". Some cameras might show nothing at all, but merely make a beeping noise as the lens goes out, then in, then the camera shuts off. Sometimes the lens won't even move.

The problem is actually quite common throughout all camera brands. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended. Believe it or not, one BIG contributor to lens errors is using a camera case. Sand, gunk, case fibers, etc... accumulate at the bottom of the case. These materials love to cling to the camera by electrostatic build-up from the camera rubbing against the side of the case (especially those cases with soft fibrous interiors). Once these materials work their way into the lens mechanism, that's all she wrote. I have many cameras, and NEVER use a case for this very reason.

A camera owner that suffers this problem may have no recourse for having the camera repaired. Many camera makers will not honor repairing this problem under warranty as they claim it is due to impact damage to the camera, or sand or debris getting into the lens gearing mechanism (neither of which is covered under warranty). The quoted repair cost is usually close to or more than what the camera is actually worth.

Fortunately, about half the cameras that suffer this failure can easily be fixed by one of the following methods. None of these methods involve opening the camera, although some have potential to cause other damage to the camera if excessively done. If the camera is still under warranty, before trying any of these, please please first contact your camera's maker to see if they'll cover the repair, or to determine how much they'll charge for the repair. Who knows, you might get lucky. But if they quote you a number that's higher than the value of your camera, you may want to consider the following methods.

The methods are listed in the order of risk of damaging your camera. Thus make sure you try them in the listed order. And remember, these fixes (especially #6 and 7) should only be considered for a camera that's out of warranty, who's cost of repair would be excessive, and would otherwise be considered for disposal if unrepaired:

Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on.

Fix #2: Remove the batteries, then remove the memory card. Then install new batteries, and turn on the camera. If you get an Error E30, it means you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the memory card and turn it on one last time.

Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particles that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.

Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.

Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in "no heat" setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one).

Now we're entering into the realm of potentially damaging your camera in conducting the fix. There is definitely some risk here, so take care when conducting the following two fixes.

Fix #6: Repeatedly tap the padded/rubber usb cover on a hard surface with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. A lot of people have reported success with this method. HOWEVER, there is also some potential for damaging or dislodging internal components with this method, such as unseating ribbon cables, or cracking LCD screens.

Fix #7: Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to gently straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera.

You mean to say you bought a $ 300.00 recorder and didn't take the batteries out during the long time storage?
Hopefully the batteries didn't leak all over the place.

Did you at least try to use new batteries? Two good AAAs can't be very expensive.

Same Problem, same day, have you found any solution?, i stored the camera for abut 6 months following the Manual specifications, keeping the camera away from humidity, dust, even light and unmounted batteries, but it didn't turned on when i really needed it, I tried changing batteries, power source, i've already checked the lock/standby and the main dial, anyone help please!

First off, are you sure that the battery is charged? It is definitely possible that spilling orange juice on it messed it up, but it might be all right.
Assuming the battery is charged, it is likely that the spill caused some internal damage. When you spilled on it, did you open the battery door, take the battery out, and allow the the camera to air-dry completely before turning it on? If you didn't, it is almost surely fried. If you didn't allow it to air-dry, it is likely that there was residual moisture and liquid on the internal components, and when you powered it on you likely messed them up. This is really a repair that is not worth paying for, as the cost of a new camera would be much cheaper.

I had this problem, and I fixed it by flipping the battery around. It looks like it's supposed to go one way, but it's supposed to be the other.

I've heard of this issue with more than one Sony (seems like there was a post in the forum not long ago with the same issue...). If you've bought a new battery, the problem would appear to be in the camera's power controller. With that in mind, I'm afraid you'll have to decide if the cost of repair is worth it, rather than simply putting the money toward a new camera.
Farid