"The 'stuck keys' problem is not a general problem of the G2. It apparently only occurred with a 1 week production batch." -Quoted from an email feedback during early August. see full text
Why this page
Canon PowerShot G2 is one of the best-selling digital cameras in the history. The purpose of this page is not to attack the great unit, which has been praised by some users as "digital leica", but to bring forward some warnings based on a balanced point of view. Although Canon has released a new firmware on April 19th, 2002, for PowerShot G2, there is still one potential bug left behind. The bug has been described as "Stuck Controls."
What is the syndrome of "Stuck Controls?"
Shortly speaking, when a G2 gets "stuck controls", all of its buttons just stuck, not respond anymore. No matter it's in "Record" or "Play" mode.
What's the result when controls get stuck?
That means you won't be able to shoot or view photos on your G2.
How do I verify the problem?
Once your G2 runs into the above-mentioned situation, please try to hold the zoom lever all the way to left or right, and simultaneously press those buttons. If the buttons work, then it's definitely the "stuck controls" problem.
The trick was first unveiled by "candyflip" on June 8th, 2002, in the thread:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=2823713
Will it happen to all G2s?
The first case report can be tracked back at least to May 7th, 2002. A user named ynevo first posted this problem in the G2 forum of photography-on-the.net . After that, numerous users have reported same experiences on the major dpreview forums. So far as the moment, champagne and black G2s have been reported for "stuck controls," while many of them were purchased with the latest firmware loaded. Therefore, the bug should be existing in many G2s, waiting to be triggered.
Under what kind of conditions will it happen?
Personally, the last move I did before my G2 got stuck controls was that I put in a fully charged BP-511 to see if the new battery worked fine. After switched on and it chimed as usual, I immediately switched off the camera. The next afternoon when I was going to shoot with it, the problem happened.
My G2 was purchased around the end of May, from an authorized dealer, and got stuck controls on June 21st, 2002.
Can "Stuck Controls" be fixed by users?
The answer is negative. I've tried the firmware upgrade procedures, but only got the message showing on LCD: "Updated already." Things did not change a bit.
How long does it take to repair in Canon Service Center?
Personally, similar to the experiences of users in others countries, I waited at the Canon Repair Center for about half an hour and got my G2 back.
Do they detach the camera?
In my case, it looked like the screws were not touched. I guess they just reloaded the firmware(via USB), as stated in some user reports.
Is this a wire or firmware phase problem?
Unknown. It is best answered by Canon officially.
Related case reports on "Stuck Controls" issue
G2 problem - stuck controls
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/viewtopic.php?TopicID=3051Dang! I think I got a defective G2... help?
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=2788896G2 won't function out of the box - firmware?
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=2823713What are the Chances??
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=2822244New G2 not cracked, controls not stuck
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=2942135G2 Stuck.....and it goes on....
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/viewtopic.php?TopicID=3719Whats up with G2 problems ??
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=3009783G2 help
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=3064981Problems with G2 buttons (Latest)
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=3102960
Contact the Author
The author is Andrea Liu.
Email: andrea@dpgallery.com
Email from Mr. Leon
From: just me <droopy928gt@yahoo.com>
To: andrea@dpgallery.com
Date: Wed, 7 Aug 2002 03:58:46 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Powershot G2, Stuck keys.Hi Andrea,
I just found your webpage on the internet. I had the same problem also with my camera a few months ago and thus immediatly contact my local dealer. Since I am lucky enough to have a GOOD dealer I'll tell you what he informed me about. I know he's trustworthy as he has never lied to me before. I buy all my Canon equipment with him already for over 12 years.
The "stuck keys" problem is not a general problem of the G2. It apparently only occurred with a 1 week production batch. At least thats what he told me. I'm not sure on the amounts though as my dealer didn't tell me.
Most important though the cause. This is the zoombrush contact itself. It got loose and can EXTREMELY simply be repaired by just adding a new small amount of glue or small piece of double sided tape to it. Official repairshops simply replace the zoombrush contacts themselves as these are apparently 5 cent parts. My dealer told me he was asked by the official distributor to assist customers free of charge for repair on this problem. I assume this will be the same in any country.
What happens with this problem is that the zoombrush contacts come loose and make continues contact. As the buttons are read through a matrix, a stuck key will cause this matrix to not work properly.
Hope this is of help to you. As you can see, there's fortunately no need to worry of this being a general problem. Hope you might even put it up on your website as it might be usefull to others also and will probably take some of the worries away from other users.
All the best, Leon
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