My S500 just started saying memory card error. Tried to reformat disk, but is just says busy, then has an E50 in the bottom and turns off.

-u- can always contact geek patrol tell them what -u- -r- going through they may have the answer -u- -r- looking for//

Hi!
Please try with another memory card.
If the error continues with another card. There really is troublle.

The write protection is the little slide on the side of the disk. You just need to slide it towards the side with the gold contacts. If you hold it so the label is rightside up, the switch should be near the upper left. You need to slide it up to unlock.

Sometimes you also get this error when the disk is bad or corrupted. you can reformat it and that will fix it. If it will not format i then you have to replace it.

Sounds like the switch.

its or child lock ,check manual or firmware damage ....software in the camera check how to fix in manual..

Take them back if you can, then start over. Some of the lessor know brands can be defective.Have you tried to use a reader to see what a computer says is on them?

From the problem described by you, it seem your camera has gone into a internal memory error and hung. Try to take out the battery, the memory card etc , clean and then reinsert and then power on? Try this it might work.... Generally the camera should start working normally once you will take out the battery, since it will reset.
If it still does not work, then think you might need to take it to Canon. They are very helpful and could sort out if you have system software problem. But Before that, I suggest that you must take out its memory stick, the battery etc and keep the camera like that for about 15 minutes. Then only reinsert the battery (fully Charged) and then try to reformat the memory card. If you are lucky, you might not need to go to Canon. Best of Luck.

Try formatting the memory card via a card reader connected to your PC. Use FAT32.

Try opening your My Computer screen, connect the camera to the computer and watch for the new removable disk to show up. Depending on the camera there may be two that show up. Right click on the removable disk/disks and choose format, click start and click okay. This should fully reformat the memory and you'll be able to take pictures again.

is it locked? have you tried using that card on another medium? if it has the same error, try to reformat it. and after reformatting it? if it still has that error, you may need to replace that card.

Error Code "E50" (CF card formatting error) When a camera error occurs, an error code like "Exx" will be displayed, where the x's represent numbers. The "E50" error code indicates formatting a CF card has failed. Solution To clear the "E50" error, try performing the following procedure. 1. Try using another CF card. If you have another CF card, try loading it in the camera. If the error code is not displayed when the other CF card is loaded, there may be something wrong with the first one rather than with the camera. 2. Use your computer's ScanDisk utility to check the CF card for errors. Use ScanDisk to check the CF card for card error or card failure. Refer to the instruction manual for your operating system or Windows Help for further instructions. (If you are using a Macintosh, use the "Disk First Aid" program to check for card error or card failure. Refer to the instruction manual for your Macintosh OS for further information.) Be sure to back up the data on the CF card on the computer before you check the CF card. If a card error or card failure occurs when you use your computer's ScanDisk, there is something wrong with the CF card. Follow ScanDisk's on-screen instructions to solve the problem. If the same error occurs when you are using the CF card supplied with the camera, please contact the retailer where you purchased the camera or the nearest Canon service center. If the error code is displayed right after you took a picture, the image may not have been recorded. Switch the camera to playback mode to check if it was recorded. Precautions for handling a CF card: - Do not remove a CF card or disconnect the camera's power source while the camera is recording, loading, or erasing data on a CF card. - CF cards are high-precision electronic devices. Do not bend, force, or subject them to shocks or vibration. - Do not attempt to disassemble or alter a CF card. - Place the CF card in the supplied case for storage. - Moving a CF card rapidly between temperature extremes may cause condensation in the card, leading to potential malfunctions. To avoid condensation, place the CF card in a sealed plastic bag before moving it into a different temperature area and allow it to adjust slowly to the new temperature. If condensation forms on the CF card, put it aside until the water droplets have evaporated completely. - Do not use or store CF cards in the locations subject to dust or sand, high humidity, or high temperatures.