The camera randomly fails to recognize the memory card. I have had it in for diagnosis & repair (camera 2+ years old). The tech said it was a problem with communication between the circuit board and the card reader. Unfortunately, the "fix" didn't fix anything. I've tried different cards without success.
This sounds curiously like the D70 problems but I'm not having success finding a significant number of other people with the same problem. Since I'm taking the camera in for round #2 of repairs (under shop warranty) what is your opinion of the problem?
The issue is that the firmware on the d50 only recognizes FAT16. Now the problem with FAT16 is that it has a limit of 2GB. So, if you have a 4GB card, you are just SOL. There isnt anything wrong physically with the camera. Buy a smaller card.
Posted on Oct 28, 2008
I checked the cards, noted that they were “locked” by a sliding switch,
switched them to unlocked, and tried one in the camera: it worked! A
rather simple solution, it turned out.
http://www.datarescue.com/photorescue/
http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24358
Posted on Dec 18, 2007
Thank you sir. You were correct. I don't how the slide moved on the card but it works just fine now.
This is absolutely true I just got a 32GB memory card and it won't work. Get error "CHA" take it out and put in my Panasonic Lumix and it works fine. Put a 1 or 2GB back in the Nikon D50 and it works. anything above 2GB doesn't work at all. New camera or just stock up on 2GB memory cards.
I'll try it sir .. I have also same problem now .. I'm instred 16 gb card so I'll try to put smaller size card I'll try .. and thank you sir
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Similar problem with a D70S. I finally realized that just ejecting and reinserting the card would do it. Even if in the middle of shooting it might stop recognizing the card and read FOR or CHA but if I just ejected and reinserted, it would work without losing any images.
Posted on Oct 30, 2008
I have formatted memory card from computer. It helped.
Posted on Jan 30, 2011
Use a Nikon-approved CF card (apparently this is a biggie)
Check that contacts are clean
Delete files or insert new memory card.
the rest is pertty good too.
Posted on Apr 02, 2010
I cant insert a memory card into the camera. the littel switch that checks to see if it is locked will not retract to let my card slide all the way down. I did manage to get a micro card adapter to go in all the way and the micro card works. I now just remove the micro sd from the adapter and put it in a micro adapter un my PC to pull pics. The adapter stays in the camera. Sucks, because Wolf camera bimbos just said we can send it off and get it fixed, for 178$ and 6 to 8 weeks.
Posted on Oct 28, 2008
After nearly a year of "repair," NIKON has replaced the camera with a factory refurbished D50. It was in for repairs three times with my local authorized repair facility and then three times with NIKON. Each time, it would come back "fixed" and "checked" only to have me reproduce the problem within a week....very frustrating for me and confusing to the repair shops
I believe the original diagnosis was correct, "communication problem between the card reader and circuit board." Of course, this is rather general and covers everything that could be wrong. I also believe that the process of tracking cameras in for repair contributed to the false belief that the camera was repaired. If I was to remove the battery for an extended period of time (24 hours), the camera would come back to life and work...for a while. I believe this is the process of the repair shops (local and NIKON) -- remove lens, card, and battery then attach these only for diagnosis and testing. While waiting for repair, everything is removed, the technician is unable to find anything wrong when he puts everything together.
Finally, NIKON gave up trying to fix this camera and sent the replacement. Unfortunately, I have not used it much since I purchased a replacement DSLR, but whenever I do pull it out, it works!
Bottom line....there is no solution for this problem other than replacement.
Posted on Oct 28, 2008
U need to repair your card box in which memory card is put contact your nearer camera repairer
Posted on Nov 29, 2008
Hi there,
Save hours of searching online or wasting money on unnecessary repairs by talking to a 6YA Expert who can help you resolve this issue over the phone in a minute or two.
Best thing about this new service is that you are never placed on hold and get to talk to real repairmen in the US.
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Good luck!
Posted on Jan 02, 2017
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I have the same problem and after nothing but problems with Nikon cameras including Nikon's service department not honoring the 1 year warranty on my daugther's L12, I don't really trust sending my D50 to them to repair. Can I reload the original firmware to correct the problem?
I took the card out to download the pics to my computer and after putting the card back in the camera I had the CH error message. It was that fast and permanent.
I have purchased other cards and used the card from my brother's D50 and nothing works.
Ray
Even after formatting with either menu or shortcut, it will display the CHA error and stop taking photos. I've used multiple cards
i had this same problem with my D50 yesterday for the first time. is there anything that can be done to correct the problem or is the camera a hopeless case? it's never done this before- the shutter would close but not open if i just pressed the exposure button, if i held it down it would open and close but the camera would not capture the image? so it's a memory card problem or a camera malfunction? someone help!!!
I bought a new 4 GB SD memory card from BlueProton (through Amazon), but when I put it in my Nikon D50, it flashed "CHA" on the LCD screen where the number of photos remaining number usually is, and wouldn't take any pictures with that card. I couldn't find anything in the D50 manual, or the field guide.
I am having this same problem, but I looked and my memory card was not locked. It flashes the CHA error and I can't seem to fix this. Help
Camera is 2 years old, hardly 300 pics. I cant insert a memory card fully into the camers. There seems to be a leaver blocking the way. I am thinking this is a lock that locks the card in place. But with no card in the camera i am screwed.
Sorry, the Guest post was from me.
After nearly a year of "repair," NIKON
has replaced the camera with a factory refurbished D50. It was in for
repairs three times with my local authorized repair facility and then
three times with NIKON. Each time, it would come back "fixed" and
"checked" only to have me reproduce the problem within a week....very
frustrating for me and confusing to the repair shops
I believe
the original diagnosis was correct, "communication problem between the
card reader and circuit board." Of course, this is rather general and
covers everything that could be wrong. I also believe that the process
of tracking cameras
in for repair contributed to the false belief that the camera was
repaired. If I was to remove the battery for an extended period of time
(24 hours), the camera would come back to life and work...for a while.
I believe this is the process of the repair shops (local and NIKON) --
remove lens, card, and battery then attach these only for diagnosis and
testing. While waiting for repair, everything is removed, the
technician is unable to find anything wrong when he puts everything
together.
Finally, NIKON gave up trying to fix this camera and
sent the replacement. Unfortunately, I have not used it much since I
purchased a replacement DSLR, but whenever I do pull it out, it works!
Bottom line....there is no solution for this problem other than replacement.
My camera has the same problem. The notification on the viewfinder display keeps flashing that there's no memory card - and the battery symbol (though showing fully charged) keeps blinking too. I've taken the memory card out and replaced different ones, turned it off and on, rechared the battery, and it still says there's no card and won't let me shoot.
Grrr!
Help!
When I put in a SanDisk Ultra 4GB I get a CHA error. When I put the disc in another camera it works. I am presently using a 2GB and it works fine
I always used the same card and no problem, the card was lost and replaced and nothing but [CHA] now.
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