The off/on switch does not work - therefore the view mode does not work also. the camera will turn of and on with the viewer window.

If your Canon A80 camera shows previously stored images of memory card in playback mode but does not show live view in camera mode to take fresh picture then ccd imager chip got defective and need to be replaced.
Local camera repair shop will help you to replace ccd imager chip because camera will take apart in detail and soldering work is needed.
Thanks.

Think that you might have accidentally pressed the DISP or DISPLAY button on the back of your camera. This manually turns the LCD display on and off to save batteries. You would then use the optical viewfinder in its place. To turn the screen back on, just press the DISP button one more time.

If you can view previously recorded tapes and see icons on the LCD, you may have an image sensor (CCD) problem. See this link regarding a Canon service notice about this issue. If you think this is your problem, contact your regional Canon service facility.

it probably remained locked on the viewer and there are no images capture stored into the camera ..that's why it says that ....and it must be a way to restore the function of that button cause no matter if you lock it permanently into the the shooting mode its still a issue of getting pics out of it ....most cameras have to be on viewing mode when are plugged on the data cable ...but ..if you can open it and switch it on the mode that allow you to take pictures...you can always get the pictures from the SD card directly via an card reader ...adapter ( USB) that cost only a few dollars...

When the big LCD is black the view finder will turn on, right?
You need to replace a new hinge unit. Here is similar solution
How to fix an intermittent display LCD on Canon PowerShot S5IS

please check if the camera is in video mode. Just click on the button to switch from picture view and camera

yes i think u all are having problems in fuji fine pix viewer i think this peace of software is not updated with vista OS so nothing to worry just try alternate source to do this

just connect usb cable supplied with camera and connect ur camera it will show up as a removable disk in my computer open it up and download the pics if u have trouble doing it , first check if ur camera is set to PC = webcam mode and other mode icon means file transfer mode u need to select this mode from menu>setup>usb mode and then go download the pics on pc as described no need for drivers

if u have trouble i can arrange for pics to do that with a diagram
if anything else i can help

pls rate me fixya if i have fixed ur problem

The CCD is on the fritz. Go to canon website, there is a bulletin and they will repair regardless of age

it seems that the lense movement is jammed. Have you dropped the camera? just have a close look from the front side of the camera, does the lense assembly seems to be pressed or moved aside by some extra preassure? if no physical disalingment is visible may be some sand or dust partical is obstructing the movement of the lense assambly. needs a help from camera repair shop.

If you are using WinXP a window will pop up when you have plugged the camera in via USB and turned the power on. The window will ask how you want to handle future USB connection of the camera. Ensure you pick "open to a folder" or something like that. After that everytime you connect the camera it simply treats it like another hard drive and you can browse the folders on the SD card in the camera. Select all, copy, and then paste to a folder on your main hard drive or wherever. OR select all and drag and drop. You don't need the SD software they supply. The supplied Photobase4 is useful for rotating images taken in portrait mode. You may want to download this EXIF viewer as it is far far superior to anything supplied by Panasonic.