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Note: this camera was first sold in Sep 2004. There may be newer versions available.
Sony CyberShot DSC-M1
Sony CyberShot DSC-M1
D
HQ Grade: D
A is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of digital cameras.
B means they are good, with some standout features.
C means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.
  • 4 out of 5
"DSC-M1 is great except for battery life"
  • 4 out of 5
"Decent Video"
See rating based on 124 user reviews
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Question Answered!
Diana (diana6977) 5 pts

turn power off and on again

turn power off and on again will not go away no matter how many times i do it. i have also reset. no luck!
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Answers This question has been answered!
Brenda P (BrendaP) 28728 pts
October 12, 2006 10:19 PM
21 people rated this answer helpful, 7 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Hi Diana,
I have seen this question about four times and every time it's the Sony DSC-something. I also Googled it and it's amazing how many times it comes up. Apparently these cameras are pretty delicate.

I am willing to bet that you're having problems with the lens sticking (either not retracting or retracting then coming out then going back again, etc.) What I seem to have found is that this "off, then on" problem is caused by some little cogs around the lens that easily slip out of place in this camera. The camera has trouble sensing if the lens is in or out, which is why it keeps asking you to turn it off then on again.

One solution I've heard is to give the camera a firm tap around the lens area. I don't necessarily recommend that since those cogs in there are obviously delicate. Other than that, repair is going to require opening up the camera and setting those little things back into place. I know that isn't the answer you wanted to hear, but it seems to be the only one.

Here's just one example of someone else with a similar error.
Best Answer
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Diana (diana6977) 5 pts
October 15, 2006 2:44 PM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Thank you very much for your help! The only problem is my camera doesn't have a retracting lens. I've got model #DSC-M1. I should have specified that before.
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Brenda P (BrendaP) 28728 pts
October 15, 2006 5:12 PM
2 people rated this answer helpful, 2 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Sorry, I totally missed that part!

As far as I know and can find out, this on/ off problem is related to something in the camera not registering as it should. With the other Sonys, it meant that the camera could tell that the lens was not in the right position and so it kept asking you to turn it off and on in order to reset itself. With the M1, I'm unfortunately totally stymied as to what could be sticking.
Can't seem to find any examples of this problem with this camera on any help boards either.

Sorry I can't help more... you should definitely (especially if you're under warranty!) call Sony at 1-800-222-7669. Or go here for repair info:
http://eservice.sony.com/webrma/web/index.do

Good luck!
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Shannon 5 pts
April 3, 2007 9:00 PM
5 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Hi,

I also have this problem but have found that if I open the lense manually before turning the camera on it works...

Hope this helps!

Cheers.
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Ken B 1 pts
April 16, 2007 10:34 AM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Shannon your approach fixed mine... when I looked the shutter cover was not moving so I "assisted" the cover to open and everything is working again... thanks to you all for your very, very useful posts :O)
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David_One_Good_Whack 4 pts
May 16, 2007 10:25 PM
3 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Greetings and here is hoping that my posting helps someone, because one of these postings helped me! I have the Sony DSC-N1 --a nice compact camera with a retractable lens and automated lens cover. Out of the blue, all I get is "turn power off and on again" messages. Someone wrote that they opened the camera, nudged the motor/lens, and put it back together, voila. That inspired me, in a more lazy way, to give it one good whack. It worked. I am very happy. I went for the whack on the bottom, that is, the thin edge below the lens and perpendicular to the lens itself. Maybe a different side would work, but it took one sharp whack and I am back to taking pictures. Good luck Webizens.
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emily 3 pts
May 29, 2007 3:17 PM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
HI! im so happy i found this because my camera is saying "turn the power off and on again" everytime i try to turn it on. giving it a whack isnt working, nor can i 'assist' the cover to open because it just closes again. i am so worried, i've only had the camera for about a month. any other ideas?

thanks, everyone!
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sri 0 pts
May 30, 2007 12:51 PM
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sri,yes i too have the problem in my sony cybershot 7mega pixel.ple any body help me out
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emily 3 pts
May 31, 2007 5:55 PM
2 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
its fixed!!!! all i did (after many hours to trying everything) was take my nail and gently pry the (sorry, i know nothing about cameras and im sure there is a technical word for this, but i dont know it!) zoom thing (that comes in and out..you know what i mean?? its what the lense is on. again, i know there is a word for this part of the camera..haha im just cameraly-challenged:)) anyway, i gentry pushed on it and it came out, and the camera turned on! i dont know if you all have the problem i had...but if you can see that that zoom thing seems to want to come out but cant, try to gently push/pry under it to give it a nudge to come out...it worked for me:) sorry if this made no sense at ALL. :)

i apologize for my lack of knowledge about cameras! haha:)

God bless, emily <
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David_One_Good_Whack 4 pts
May 31, 2007 9:49 PM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Good job Emily! Though a believe that you could have gotten the same result with one (really) good whack.

David
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sri 0 pts
June 1, 2007 10:45 AM
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yes i took cutting player to pull lens manually when the power is on it came out fully.now camerais working fine.thanks
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The Grinch 0 pts
July 4, 2007 8:05 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
There should be a "Reset" button on the camera - on mine it's by where the memory card goes in. Hit the reset button and it should work. No need to whack. ;)
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big jordan 1 pts
July 5, 2007 8:51 PM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
i see what looks like a reset hole but i push it with a pen and nothing happens
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AZ Photo Junkie 4 pts
July 22, 2007 10:17 PM
4 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I have a Sony DSC W55 (extending and retracting lens) and had the same problem. Just before the "Turn off then turn on" problem started I noticed that the picture was taking fuzzy shots and nothing I did seemed to clear the problem. This led me to believe it was a lens problem and not a software issue. By carefully grabbing the lens when it was extended and carefully trying to twist it clockwise and counter-clockwise (don't actually move it) the unit came back to life! I did this when the unit was on and the lens was out. Tapping/banging it on the table didn't seem to work, moving and jiggling the lens around did! Thanks to all of you - I'm up!
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Daniellaphone 0 pts
August 13, 2007 4:29 PM
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tapping the lens on a hard surface worked for me.. thought i'd have to buy a new camera, cause it didnt go away when i changed batteries..
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Dunja 2 pts
September 4, 2007 1:22 PM
2 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Wacking theve lens when it came out worked for me too, thx everyone!!
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John Fever 0 pts
September 24, 2007 9:59 PM
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you guys are great...just saved a $400 camera by grabbing the lens and holding it when it wanted to go in
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Steve a 1 pts
November 6, 2007 8:45 PM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Thank you all. The firm "WHACK" of the Cybershot DSC-N1 on a soft book got rid of the "Turn camera off and on again" message and got my camera working fine. Thanks!
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Esther 0 pts
November 7, 2007 11:55 AM
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Ah thnx very much. After days of wories and many nights at google, I saw this page. I give my camera een furm tap, and it worked again.

:D
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ernestkaye 0 pts
December 1, 2007 5:27 PM
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DSC-N2
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'D JUST HUNG UP THE PHONE WITH SONY ASKING ME FOR $181 TO FIX MY DSC-N2.

I Googled the error message, and found this solution.
I then tried it several times before it worked... Thanks a mil!
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Ron S (Vneplus5) 0 pts
December 7, 2007 10:49 PM
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DSCm-1 problem. Will not charge, nor turn on except when plugged into charger. Then everything works fine. Will not show charging. New battery, new charger. I have not opened it up yet, but suspect something with the battery terminals. Viewing the pins in the battery case area, all appears to be fine, but for some reason the battery does not appear to be connecting with the electrical system. Help
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peeetra 0 pts
January 11, 2008 3:20 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
hitting it lightish work like a dream
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Nicole 0 pts
January 13, 2008 6:41 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I have a DSC-w55 and the i am having the same issue when i do give it a tap the thing comes out but it still won't work i even tried to open it up and take a look but i can't find out what the problem is i just got this camera and i don't wan't to seach for another one please someone help
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Ahmed 2 pts
January 21, 2008 1:17 PM
2 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
For those W series owners, Just gripping the zoom while it goes out and only when it was fully out. Do not let the zoom to in then twist it with gently C.W and C.C.W then off and on the camera << it work
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vdesigner99 0 pts
January 25, 2008 5:31 PM
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Another THANK YOU!
DSC-N1, "turn power off and on again" error message gone after a firm soft wack!
I am starting to mis trust Sony, third item to cause me trouble.
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kevin 0 pts
February 8, 2008 2:44 PM
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I have a Panasonic dmc-fx9 and after taking a few pictures, the lens suddenly closed and i too got the "turn camera on and off again" message at the disco, from what I´ve heard,I suppose too much movement caused it. So I gave it about 3 whacks and i opened up again and it now works fine! thanks for your help :D
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Janet 0 pts
March 30, 2008 7:57 AM
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My dsc-w55 is still having problems. I don't understand why, cause everyone else's seem to work now after these soft taps on the lense and gently moving the lens in the retracted position. Are there any other suggestions of what I can do other than a repair?
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Danielle 0 pts
April 5, 2008 4:06 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I have a DSC-W55. Just wanted to add that I gave it a "thwack" along the bottom surface (where it would mount to a tripod) with the palm of my hand and it worked. Thanks!
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helgo 0 pts
April 24, 2008 3:36 AM
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the whack thingy worked with mine dsc-n2 either!
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Ralph 0 pts
May 17, 2008 6:13 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I was able to fix my camera thanks to the posts here. I have a DSC-W55 and it would open and close the lens and then I would get the error "Turn camera off and back on" The lens would come out and go back in about 3 times so I decided to pull on it o see if it was not coming out all the way and when I did I noticed that I was able to pull on it a little. Then I turned off the camera and back on and it worked. I hope this info helps someone with the same problem.
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KC 0 pts
May 26, 2008 6:25 PM
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Thank you so much the bang worked!
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Johnnyv1 0 pts
July 20, 2008 2:11 PM
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Hi Guys,
I took Brenda P 's response with my Sony Cyber shot 5.1. I would power up, the lens extend and seem to try to set or lock in position, then want a "power off and on" ( Because we have already replaced the camera ) I was rather aggressive with it. I held the lens out on shut down, then pushed it in manually, different such things. Nothing changed it still didn't work, if anything it got more confused about where the lens was at any one time. Egg.At one point it extended the lens out on shut-down!
So then I shut off camera, pushed in the lens by hand, Took a plastic salad serving spoon ( fairly large ) and a paper mate pen. Laid the camera on it's back, placed the pen on the edge on the lens itself and used the spoon to tap ( again fairly aggressively ) around the total edge of the lens.
Success ! Powered up and have taken many pictures since. It is as though in this case that the lens wasn't locked in place for shut-down, therefore not extending into place correctly on power up.
Thanks all ( and Brenda_P ) for the info.
P.S. It is strange how sometimes many diffenent electronics need a good spanking from time to time ! LOL
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Valerie 0 pts
July 29, 2008 12:53 PM
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I have a sony DSC-W50 and have tried everything with no success :( I don't want to replace my camera. I really enjoy it. The zoom lens is sticking out half way and wont go all the way in or all the way out. Any different suggestions?

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elizabeth 0 pts
July 30, 2008 2:02 AM
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your all so luckyy.
i tried it many time && no success.
=[
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Jerry 0 pts
August 11, 2008 10:18 PM
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The lens in my daughter's DSC-W55 got stuck in the out position, and we got the "turn the power off and on again" message. I tried a little thwacking, but it was Ahmed's advice that helped me. I turned it on and then, as he wrote: "only when it was fully out. Do not let the zoom to in then twist it with gently C.W and C.C.W then off and on the camera << it work". Thanks to Ahmed and all the rest in this thread.
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Camera-Broke_on_Vacation 2 pts
September 4, 2008 8:56 PM
2 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I have to add my comments -- the whack works. I have a DSC-W55, and was getting the on and off message. Following the technical instructions given here, I gave it a whack on the palm of my hand -- and badda bing -- the lens extended and works just fine. My method was to cup my palm and whack the front of the camera against it. Thanks everyone!
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Rich 215 0 pts
September 18, 2008 8:23 AM
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I have the Sony DSC - W5 and was getting the same lens failing to retract and then the message to "Turn Power off then On again". I tried the gentle (insert definition of gentle here) "Whack" on the bottom of the case and now it seems to work fine. I'm keeping my fingers crossed though.
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Amber 0 pts
September 21, 2008 6:05 PM
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Ok, my Sony DSC-W55 only got this error when the memory stick was inserted...so I was thinking it was a memory reading problem. HOWEVER I tried the gentle "thwack" with the palm of my hand on the bottom of the camera right when I got the error message and the lens all of a sudden popped out a little farther and the camera now works properly! Thank you to all you who have posted your successes!
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John 0 pts
September 23, 2008 8:38 PM
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Another success story! DSC-W5 camera. Firm whack on a table restored the camera's ability to move the lens, and "Turn Power off then On again" error is gone.
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Kathy 0 pts
October 12, 2008 5:41 PM
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I have a Sony dsc-s780 and nothing seems to work=(
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Eric 0 pts
October 19, 2008 10:16 AM
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I have the DSC-M1, and the shutter solution resolved my problem. I've had this camera a while and didn't want to give it up. THANK YOU VERY MUCH for putting this out here. I simply opened the shutter manually then opened and closed the camera. And everything works as it should. THANK YOU AGAIN VERY MUCH FOR PUTTING THIS INFO OUT THERE.
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Brett 2 pts
November 2, 2008 7:06 PM
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For DSC-W5
I am out of breath from jumping around my house with joy. THANKS to everyone, all the advise helped. My story:
Had numerous pics from europe trip that I couldn't access due to the error, so this was crucial. I was moments from taking it into a store and spending to get it fixed, but this works! I smacked the bottom of the camera at first, didn't work, but smacking the LCD screen did for me.
DO THIS (or at least I did this):
- while camera is ON, displaying the error message, slap the LCD screen with cupped palm a few times
- The camera might make a funny beeping noise (as mine did), but this is good, the gears are realigning.
- turn camera off, and then on again.
---> This took me at least 10 times, so don't give up. It works!
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qandeel 0 pts
November 9, 2008 5:18 AM
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I got an estimate to fix the camera for 129$ but thats **** i would rather buy a new camera. the funny thing is i dont need to. someone was joking and said well "how did u break it?" and i said "i dropped it" then they said " well drop it again" guess what? we lightly tapped the camera on the desk and as we were all laughing at how stupid it was to do that we turned it on and the damn thing was working!!!!!!
JUST 2 3 TAPS AND UR CAMERA WILL BE WORKIN I KNOW it sound stupid someone suggested me i thought it a joke but a tried it i gave 3 taps and it was nt workin but after 9 taps its was workin jus try it:)
plz tap it from a small distance and the camera lens face should be towards the desk
the actual problem is the lens is out of place:)
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savedatrip2bestbuy 0 pts
November 25, 2008 2:24 PM
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Hold the camera in your hand as you turn it on and gently strike the bottom of the camera (under the lense) against your palm... My camera had sand caught in it so I had to repeat this process 5 or 6 times (bringing the lense in and out) until I had worked out the sand. Simple process, you dont have to hit that hard. Hit the bottom of the cammera not the lense... Thanks for the great tip, my girlfriend thinks I'm amazing (little does she know i just banged her camera on something), lol.
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Anjitha 0 pts
December 10, 2008 7:04 AM
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Thank you so much BrendaP. I am having sony dscH9. It was giving same error. I could recover it by blowing air in to lens and body lens hole. something gone inside it and stuck the lens. Most of the time it is outside issue. no need to open the camera
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Jmoney 0 pts
January 27, 2009 7:25 PM
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Banging it a bit and helping the lense out when I was turning it on fixed my problem, I got sand in it and it came up with that message, thanks guys.
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Karen 0 pts
February 8, 2009 5:36 PM
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It's a miracle! I have a DSC-W30, and after about ten minutes of whacking it and twisting the lense, I managed to fix it by whaching the bottom with my hand a few times. Thank goodness I don't have to buy a new one...
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Christine the ninja 0 pts
March 17, 2009 8:09 PM
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Thanks for all this information guys, it really helped me out. I have a DSC W30 and one day the lens just wouldnt retract and the of course the it only displayed on the screen 'Access', followed by 'Turn power off and on again'.

After several attempts of trying to solve it in a civilised manner, as in recharging the battery, resetting the camera only to be confronted by that annoying, teasing message of 'TURN POWER OFF AND ON AGAIN', i decided to turn to the violence you have all talked about.

I was a bit hesitant at first but after my frustrations built i had no other choice i didnt wanna waste my money by going to a service centre only to be overcharged. SO i took manners into my own hands and banged the shizz out of it. After a period of rage that i took out on my camera that lasted about 15mins, i gave up.

But i decided to give it one last go, i banged it on my palm many times till i felt like i bruised it, then on my table, then on my kneecap, then on my bed then on harder surfaces. Then after taking a break and fiddling with the lens, i gave it a few more 'taps' and WAAALAAAAAAA, it worked and had me peeing my pants with excitement.

THANKS AGAIN :)... persistence and anger is the key.
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hevelin paiva 0 pts
March 21, 2009 8:27 PM
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tapping the lens when was opened helped mine....thanks a lot guys!!!
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beachpete 0 pts
March 23, 2009 2:11 AM
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Wow it really worked thanks heaps it saved me some money. cheers
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Kevin 0 pts
April 8, 2009 4:31 PM
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tapped it hard about 20 times followed by a big whack...eureeka! Thanks all for the help.
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Edoardo 0 pts
April 21, 2009 8:16 AM
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DSC-W170 was fixed when I whacked it hard on the botto of the camera a few times and moved about the open lens a few times.
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Hanumu 0 pts
April 29, 2009 9:39 PM
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I Googled and DSC W-120 was fixed when I exhausted and Pressed hard on lens and it is working. Thanks much googlers.
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Pedro 0 pts
May 21, 2009 8:16 AM
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Thanx ppl, thought a wack would have fixed it... just needed to be a bit more firm with it.

guess they just dont make them like they use to.
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TonyV 0 pts
June 5, 2009 2:03 AM
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I dont know why,but I tried all the way you guys showed here,but it's still..........broken,so,the ones who them fixed well by these tricks,just buy for me a new one,please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Huhuhuh.....I bet that all the sony camera which you guys were being trouble those were made in china,I've got two,and they have the same problem,but the third,was made in japan,has been using for over two year without any trouble....
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CP, x 0 pts
June 6, 2009 11:09 PM
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Wow, i actually doubted the whole "whack it"
but it actually worked, rofl
i was actually pretty shocked xD
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Ryan 0 pts
June 16, 2009 1:03 PM
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Okay I've got the DSC-W30 and have the "turn power on and off problem" the whacking it sort of fixed it, but not completely. If I tap it on the underside directly below the lens as it is turning on (when the lens is coming out) it will work, but I need to do this every time I turn it on.
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dasert 0 pts
June 18, 2009 12:10 PM
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the camera has a sensitive lens and they break down internally causing them to jam which sends the turn the camera off and then on again. if you get this message and the lens does not move, do not waste your time, its consider junk..
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Roxy 0 pts
June 23, 2009 2:11 PM
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I tried everything posted on here for my Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W80 and nothing worked until I got to Brett's post about hitting the screen, I tried it twice and then when I turned it on the third time it was working. It's probably not great for the camera but hey it worked =]
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Adrian 0 pts
June 27, 2009 11:49 PM
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That's so strange that this issue is affecting so many people. Why isn't Sony getting their act together if people are having very similar issues? I almost freaked out today when it pulled this whole "Turn the power off and on again" message today, because the camera isn't even a month old. Thank the stars it suddenly started working again because I was getting really annoyed, really fast.
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Paul 0 pts
July 2, 2009 11:47 PM
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Wow, I was ready to give up on my W55 when I stumbled here. The wacking did it after 5 or 6 times, but I worry about the long term reliability of this unit. Googling for troubleshooting does work... My next camera will be a Canon or a Nikon. Thanks for nothing SONY, thanks for giving us Japanese reliability of 50 years ago...
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Jess 0 pts
July 3, 2009 12:42 AM
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Thank God i still have warranty because this didn't help my W150! I Wish I was as lucky as you guys! Great technology, shitty camera!
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jeremy v 0 pts
July 5, 2009 3:58 PM
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Thank you very much guys, my girlfriend was getting frustrated when she found out her cam wasn't working anymore.. I gave it a good whack, and now she loves me even more :-).
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amel 0 pts
July 10, 2009 2:55 AM
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thanks guy , also me when i it whack it's working now , strange solutions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Sherry 0 pts
July 10, 2009 5:38 AM
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I've done everything everyone has said. Nothing works at all. I really need some help, if anyone's got other advice please. I don't wanna buy a new camera. I love this camera, especially since it's pink. I have the Sony W-120. The main problem is that my son was playing with the camera and he hit it 2 times against his car toys and all the camera does it turn on, lens pop out and pop back in 3 times, then it says, "Turn the power off and on again." I've done everything everyone has suggested, such as...

1) power off the camera, take out the battery, replace with a new one, power it back on
2) use the usb cord and connect it to the computer
3) use something small like a piece of paper and try cleaning the inner parts between the lens
4) blow air into the spaces between the lens
5) turn on the camera, hold onto the lens while it's trying to go back in to focus, then turn it c.w. and again c.c.w
6) wack the camera a few times (did it so many times, still doesn't work)
7) wack the bottom of the camera on a hard surface
8) slapped lcd screen
9) turn off camera, take out battery, hold onto T zoom then hold onto W zoom
10) tapping the lens while it was popped out and camera on
11) firm tap on the lens area
12) pressed hard on the lens
13) reset the camera settings

Tried everything, doesn't work. So basically I've done everything, except open up the inside of the camera, which I don't know how to do those stuff so I'm not going to mess with it. Anyone got any other advice/ideas other than the ones I've listed?
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sweetieedie 0 pts
July 11, 2009 4:13 PM
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I tried changing the memory stick, cupping my hand and slapping it (like I was told to do with my blackberry and nothing! Then I read all of your posts...I had already jiggled and yanked on the lens, so finally becoming rather ticked I rapped the skinny bottom on the wooden desk top....Now all I have to do is recharge the battery.
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Bob 0 pts
July 11, 2009 9:19 PM
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Pretty crazy. My daughter has a Sony DSC-W150 that started doing this today. I found this discussion and tried tapping the camera lightly on the desk. The camera is working fine again.

I love the Internet!
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Danny 0 pts
July 15, 2009 7:48 PM
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I had the same problem (turn on camera and the lens went in and out then gave the turn on/off message). After trying some of the gentle tapping, holding the outer part of the lens when it come out for a moment seems to pull it into place and fix it. I think its mostly a case of the lens being set improperly, so try all of the suggested taps/pulling/twisting, which fixes it depending on which way it jammed. I think though that the outer lens is the problem, so focus on that.
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Angela 0 pts
July 15, 2009 10:00 PM
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I had this problem, and gave it a few good taps as suggested and it works fine now! Thanks!
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Stephen 0 pts
July 20, 2009 7:16 PM
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Anyone having this problem, please try the "firm tapping" of the camera before spending money for repairs/a new one!! I had to try this several times but it really does work!! Thank you everyone!
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Mike Horton - Monroe CT 0 pts
July 22, 2009 9:28 PM
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I am totally blown away! - I read this string and was seriously sceptical. My daughter's W55 lens would not come out I was getting that on/off message - I tried a few gentle taps - no change, and thought "I knew it wouldn't work!" Then read one post that said "smack the LCD screen with palm of your hand" I did, -- the lens popped out and all is well! Thank You!!
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LEEANN 0 pts
August 6, 2009 7:25 PM
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I had to tap my several time--even had to resort to using the end of a table knife--it work much to my dismay. When I power off the message appears again and I have to manually help it along--better than the $100 the repair shop wanted or spending the money on a new camera right now. THANK YOU THANK YOU EVERYONE!!
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Nishant 0 pts
August 21, 2009 11:30 AM
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It's fixed guys!!!
Give the lens area, a few taps...

Then-
Keep pressing the lens on switching it "ON" so as so not let it protrude; thus it will remain shut.
Then you get the same error message.
Restart again and it will working again! :)
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tmg 0 pts
August 24, 2009 10:42 AM
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Thanks! The whacking worked for me!
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tmp 0 pts
August 25, 2009 3:43 PM
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Thanks! I fixed mine by using a hard, strip paper to slip in the slot of of the lens back and forth a couple of times.
I think you should try this first because I created more noise when my camera zooms in and out by slapping, twisting the lens for many time. The motor dose not run smoothly as before.

Anyway, It works. Thanks the internet!
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Marissa 0 pts
August 29, 2009 11:12 AM
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OMFG. I LOVE YOU PEOPLE !!!!!!!!!

my camera just randomly started doing this. It wasn't wet or anything, it just did this. so i was curious as to why? obviously i didn't want to have to get a brand new camera since I just got it for christmas and a few months later it stops working right....and there's only a 90 day warantee on mine. I have a sony cybershot w170 with 10.1 mp. And I loved my camera it was pretty nice. But then one day it started doing the turn the power on and off again. I would hit the power button and the lens would go out just fine. But it wouldn't turn on. It would keep going in and out. Until finally it WOULD turn 'on' but it would say in the middle of the screen "Turn the power off and on again" so I couldn't do anything wtih it. I read a bunch of everyones replies on what they did to theirs and many didn't work. Such as when it's all the way out Turn it CC and cwise. Didn't work. Neither did pushing the lnes in when it was all the way down. So I started getting depressed, thinking wow mine really is broken. But then I read a reply undeerneath soem of the others and it said that they had simply whacked the camera a few times in their open palm....so i tried it of course. and IT WORKED!!!!! HOLY CRAP! So happyyy. I'm going to the shore next week and I can finally take my camera with me! !!! :) :) Thanks to whomever idea this wass :]
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Kerrie 0 pts
September 12, 2009 1:10 PM
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OMG!! Thank you so much! completely worked! I just turned the camera on then quickly gave it a gentle wack on the bottom with my palm and my camera is fine!
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Nikhil 0 pts
September 14, 2009 7:40 AM
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that was shutter problame
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tim 0 pts
September 16, 2009 12:02 AM
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Ok, the whack is back. DSC-w80. Tried the bottom whack. no luck. Tried screwing with the lens. No luck. The palm whack worked a charm. It took two times whacking with the palm of my hand but it worked. Unstuck the lens and working great.
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Ádila Matos 0 pts
September 20, 2009 6:48 AM
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Ô gente mim salva minha câmera sony está aparecendo na tela esse nome = ( TURNE THE POWER OFF AND ON AGAIN) mim ajuda a solucionar
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jennifer 0 pts
September 25, 2009 6:31 PM
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I have the same problem but none of the solutions work for me is there something else I can? The lens do not pop up or anything I have a dsc w55.
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kaye 0 pts
September 27, 2009 3:25 AM
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i was at a party today, and dropped my camera (DSC W-120) on a hardwood floor. i then tried using the zoom, but it only zoomed to 1.4 before the "turn power off and on" message came on! so when i got home and found this website, i started tapping, but it didnt work! i then tried Nishant's advice and pressed on the lenses while i pressed the turn on button for around 5 seconds, let go, and ta da, it works again! thank you so much and also to all the helpful people here! :)
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katrina 0 pts
September 27, 2009 12:37 PM
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ah nothing is working for me..the same thing happened to me on friday night as kaye...what should i do?!
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Tricia 0 pts
October 6, 2009 3:54 PM
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Wow!! This worked!! I have a DSC-W170 and the lens would try to open, but couldn't. I tried tapping the bottom of it while powering it on many times, but it didn't fix it. Then I tried tapping the lcd screen with the palm of my hand while powering it on and it worked!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
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skulldragon 0 pts
October 6, 2009 5:24 PM
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Thanks guys, Sony DSC-W150. Pulled the lens out and turned it on and off a few times and then just pushed it all the way in when I powered off seemed to help reset the cogs.
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Suki 0 pts
October 7, 2009 7:23 PM
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It worked after I held the lens for about 15 seconds and let go. It retracted and then repower the camera. Presto! good as new
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Fred 0 pts
October 31, 2009 9:24 AM
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DSC-5
OMG! HItting the bottom edge on a paperback book fixed the power on and off problem! THANKS!
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Helgi 0 pts
November 1, 2009 8:48 PM
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Legendary... holding the lens whilst is was doing it's in and out thing before shutting down did the trick.

Thank you very much for taking the time to post a solution.
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Daniel 0 pts
November 1, 2009 8:54 PM
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Oh man, I thought my Sony Cybershot was gone for good as I was having the "turn the power off and on again" over and over. I followed the highly technical suggestion of tapping around the lens and now it's working again! I have to say I'm really disappointed with this camera as it is very delicate and the focus isn't all that great. The lens cover stopped closing a long time ago. But thanks to you people I don't have to rush out and buy a new camera today. Thanks!
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chindoo 0 pts
November 2, 2009 10:06 AM
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David was right. I tapped my lens two times very hard and it fixed my camera. I was very pleasently amused. Thanks david. You da man!!!!
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piruthivi 0 pts
November 3, 2009 11:23 PM
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Thnaks yaar .I tried ur steps, Mow it's working
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John M. 0 pts
November 4, 2009 12:02 PM
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Same here. I had used my sister-in-law's DSC w170 and she told me when I gave it back to her it would not close correctly and displayed the "turn power off and on again" message. I figured I was in deep doo-doo with her. Then I found this page. The re-set button had to be pushed in, AND it needed a good whack on the bottom. Voila!
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Sarah 0 pts
November 5, 2009 11:57 AM
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Hi all,
I have a DSC-W55 and I had the same issue (lens going in and out, error message, etc etc.) I was really scared to "whack" my camera for fear of messing it up even further....however I knew I would be charged an arm and a leg to repair it and this camera is less than a year old and never been dropped! Sooooooo bottom line I whacked it a couple times on the desk and my hand, on the bottom of the camera and jiggled the lens lightly a few times and smacked the screen with my cupped hand and VOILA it works just fine again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!
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ISKA LONA 0 pts
November 9, 2009 1:01 AM
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hello guys! i have a SONY CYBERSHOT DSC-W300 and i was aso having an "off, then on" problem. it seems to be that the lens of my camera was just stucked. reading all the post seemed to be interesting but might also be risky like "whacking" you precious digital cameras. knowing that is was only stucked, i tried to help the lens to go out, pulling it out gentle as i turn my camera on by using a staple wire, hooking it in the lens' shutters. well, IT WORKED!! it's the most gentle way to force back your cameras to function normally ;) so, if you guys really wanted to see how i did it. you can EMAIL me and I'll sent you guys a picture (if you really can't figure it out as describe above and below).

JUST 2(+1) STEPS:
1.) insert something you can used to hook up on the lens shutters (i used a staple wire, but be careful u might scratch the lens).
2.) turn on your cam then simultaneously pull out the lens gently.
3.) Check for dirt or any particles that may have caused the lens to get stuck then clean it..


WELL, I HOPE THIS WILL DO YOU ALL GOOD!

ENJOY!!
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brian 0 pts
November 18, 2009 11:10 AM
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my camera had a grinding sound everytime i turned it one for a few days and now all it says on my screen is turn power off an on again i tried wigling the lens and stuff to see if it was the prob and nothing works how hard is it to take this apart and claen the inside to see if that works i got model dsc-s600
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aniq 0 pts
November 20, 2009 4:15 AM
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non on the advices r workin for me....HELP!!
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