Is it possible to control the DiMAGE A1 from the PC? (when the DiMAGE A1 is connected to PC.)

I bought a card reader and use it instead of directly connecting to computer with camera. Saves battery life and cost under $30 canadian. Simple file transfer this way. At least your camera is still working! Mine is dead and Sony says no parts available.

Hope you still have the camera. If so, Sony will fix your Minolta camera for free (with free shipping) regardless of warranty. You need to do this before March 31, 2008 so get going! See this link:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?template_id=1&news_id=131#
The Dimage models that Sony is accepting for the recall repair are:
Dimage 7HI, 7I, A1, Xi, F300, XT, X20, S414.

This sounds like a defective Sony CCD issue. If so, Sony will fix your Minolta camera for free (with free shipping) regardless of warranty. You need to do this before March 31, 2008 so get going! See this link:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?template_id=1&news_id=131#
The Dimage models that Sony is accepting for the recall repair are:
Dimage 7HI, 7I, A1, Xi, F300, XT, X20, S414.

No, the camera cannot be controlled from the computer.

Yes, it is possible to control the camera from PC with "DiMAGE Capture DCA200". (sold separately) It is necessary to update the camera's firmware to use with the DiMAGE Capture. (the firmware is included in the CD-ROM attached with the product.) * DiMAGE Capture DCA-200 will be available at the end of March, 2004.

Here are trans transformer and electric transformer (small model is mainly for overseas travel). There is no problem when using trans transformer, however when using electric transformer, there are many models which cannot be used with battery charger, precision instruments and so on.

Yes. The following Minolta dedicated external flash units are compatible with the DiMAGE A1 for automatic flash control: Program Flash 3600HS(D), Program Flash 5600HS(D), *Program Flash 2500(D), Macro Twin Flash 2400*, Macro Ring Flash 1200*. * Program Flash 2500(D) will be available around August, 2003. *Macro Flash Controller is necessary

The focus area can be set for Wide Focus Area or Spot Focus Point. When selecting the Spot Focus Point, the DiMAGE A1 can be set "Flex Focus Point (FFP) ".

The followings are available as optional accessories for DiMAGE A1: 1. Battery pack BP-400 2. Digital Utility Bag DUB-100 3. DiMAGE Capture which software can be controlled DiMAGE A1 from PC ( It will be available September ,2003)

Start-up time for the DiMAGE A1 is approximately 2.2 seconds in recording mode. It depends on the type of CompactFlash card.