Camera turns on fine, when press shutter button to take picture, flash pops up (per setting) no picture is taken, hear mechanical whirring, only 2 pics on 2gb sd card, camera little over 2yrs old

Go into the menu and ensure it is 'enabled' to fire automatically. Or press the lightning arrow button on the side or in a darkish room set the aperture to something like f16 and press the shutter button.

Are your pictures properly exposed and are they sharp or are your pictures degraded? Is that 1/3-second you describe a delay between the time you push the shutter release and the time the picture is taken or somthing else? Check to make sure you're in the proper shutter release mode (slider switch to right of the mode dial). Also, your self-timer may be turned on. Your camera allows you to set a 2 or 10 second delay from the menus. If it is set to 2 seconds and turned on, it might seem like a 1/3-second delay. If that doesn't help, you camera is covered by Nikon's warranty. Contact Nikon Service at 1-800-NIKON-US (1-800-645-6687) 9AM-8PM EST, Monday to Friday.

Manual:
http://www.kodak.com/global/plugins/acrobat/en/service/manuals/urg01041/C182_xUG_GLB_en.pdf

Page 11

Using the self-timer
Use the self-timer when you want to be included in a picture, or to ensure a steady
Shutter button press. Place the camera on a tripod or flat surface.
1 In any picture-taking mode, press the Info button to turn on the shortcut icons.
2 Press to highlight the self-timer icon. Press to choose a setting:
10 seconds- A picture is taken after a 10-second delay (so you have time
to get into the scene).
2 seconds- A picture is taken after a 2-second delay (for a steady, shutter
release on a tripod).
2 shot- The first picture is taken after a 10-second delay. A second picture
is taken 8 seconds later.
3 Compose the scene. Press the Shutter button halfway, then completely down.
The camera takes the picture/pictures after the delay.
Use the same procedure to take a 2- or 10-second self-timer video, but press the
Shutter button completely down.

Self-timer
(10-second delay) it will have a 10 on it


Time to get yourself into the picture. Place camera on a tripod or flat surface.


Self-timer
(2-second delay) it will have a 2 on it

Allows for a steady, auto-shutter release on a tripod.

Self-timer
(2 pictures) it has a 2X on it

Capture 2 shots (one picture taken after 10 seconds and another picture taken 8 seconds later).


First Burst Flash forced off.it has like 2 folders in front of the camera

Camera takes up to 8 pictures (2 per second) while the Shutter button is held. The first 8 are saved. (Capture an expected event e.g., baseball swing)

Last Burst
Flash forced off. it has 2 folders behind the camera

Camera takes up to 30 pictures (2 per second up to 15 seconds) while the Shutter button is held. When the shutter button is released, only the last 8 pictures are saved. (Capture an event when the precise timing is uncertain e.g., a child blowing out birthday candles.)

When you press the button, the camera performs many functions in a split second such as set the focus, set the aperture and shutter speed, calculate the flash power, etc. It will make sounds and if the pictures are fine, then all is well.

you may need your camera cleaned. If you have taken more than about 5000 pictures with it or if you have been eating at some point and taken pics without washing your hands it could be that your shutter button is getting stuck. Some settings are set for continuous shooting and as long as you have you finger on the shutter button the camera will continue to take pictures

On your Cyber-shot DSC-W55 locate the control button:




Using the self-timer

Press on the control button repeatedly until the desired mode is selected.


Conditions of the self-timer lamp:
(No indicator): Not using the self-timer
: Setting the 10-second delay self-timer (picture is taken after 10 seconds)
: Setting the 2-second delay self-timer (picture is taken after 2 seconds)

Press the shutter button, the self-timer lamp flashes, and a beep sounds until the shutter operates.

Hope this helps.
Thank you.

Putting Yourself in the Picture The Self Timer creates a 10-second delay between the time you press the Shutter button and the time the picture is taken. 1 Place the camera on a flat surface or use a tripod. 2 In any Still mode, press the Self Timer button. The Self Timer icon appears in the status area. 3 Compose the scene. Then press the Shutter button half-way and hold to set the exposure and focus, then press the rest of the way down. Move so that you are in the scene. The Self Timer light blinks slowly for 8 seconds (then quickly for 2 seconds) before the picture is taken. The camera "clicks" when the picture is captured. To turn off the shutter sound, see page 64. The Self Timer turns off after you take the picture or if you change modes. To cancel the Self Timer before the picture is taken, press the Self Timer button. (The Self Timer setting remains active.) To turn off the Self Timer, press the Self Timer button twice.

Hey hpnotiq_babe,
Directions on how to set the self timer on this camera are on page 27 of your camera manual. I have included a link to a PDF download of your camera manual in case you need it. I have copied the instructions on how to set the self timer on your camera below. I hope this helps!

● Selecting the self-timer
1. Rotate the MODE DIAL to select a RECORDING
mode with the exception of VOICE RECORDING
mode.
2. Press the SELF-TIMER button until the desired
mode indicator displays on the LCD monitor.
A 10 second, 2 second or double self-timer icon
appears on the LCD monitor. In Movie Clip mode,
only the 10-second self-timer will work.
•2SEC self-timer ( )
: Pressing the shutter button will allow an
interval of 2 seconds before the image is
taken.
•10SEC self-timer ( )
: Pressing the shutter button will allow an
interval of 10 seconds before the image is taken.
•Double self-timer ( )
: A picture will be taken after about 10 seconds and 2 seconds later a
second picture will be taken. When using the flash, the 2-second self-timer
may be delayed for longer than 2 seconds depending on the flash charge
time.
3. When you press the SHUTTER button, the picture will be taken after the
specified time has elapsed.

http://www.samsungcamera.com/customer/cus_main.asp?cat_uid=11

Sincerely,
Allan
Go Ahead. Use Us.

Hi there,
by the way in setting the timer for your camera here is what you are going to do...

-turn the camera on
-set the camera in recording
-press the Right Button beside the menu button (the incomplete circle)
-and then you will see that there will an icon showing in the left side part of the screen of the camera.

Selecting the self-timer
1. Rotate the MODE DIAL to select a RECORDING mode with the exception of VOICE RECORDING mode.
2. Press the SELF-TIMER button until the desired mode indicator displays on the LCD monitor.
A 10 second, 2 second or double self-timer icon appears on the LCD monitor. In Movie Clip mode, only the 10-second self-timer will work.
•2SEC self-timer (icon of incomplete circle with 2S)
: Pressing the shutter button will allow an interval of 2 seconds before the image is
taken.
•10SEC self-timer (incomplete circle)
: Pressing the shutter button will allow an interval of 10 seconds before the image is taken.
•Double self-timer (double incomplete circle)
: A picture will be taken after about 10 seconds and 2 seconds later a second picture will be taken. When using the flash, the 2-second self-timer may be delayed for longer than 2 seconds depending on the flash charge time.
3. When you press the SHUTTER button, the picture will be taken after the
specified time has elapsed.