G11: crash with original firmware, possibly related to CHDK

[lynch]

hi,

Hi just got a G11 with firmware 1.00J. after accidentally loading 0.9.9-899 for 1.00F, I noticed a problem with the canon firmware (camera crashes when when selecting some shoot-mode menu items):

* first install of g11-100j-0.9.9-894 showed no problems

* then I accidentally loaded 100f-0.9.9-899_BETA (f instead of j) on the SD card.
camera refused to boot until I removed the SD card.
is that supposed to happen?

* loaede g11-100j-0.9.9-899_BETA

* since then, camera repeatedly crashes when doing the following:
** select P mode
** push MENU.
   first option shown is "AF Frame" (set to "FlexiZone")
** push DOWN or rotate dial clockwise.
   camera turns off (lens extended)
** alternate: push UP. a few options are selected normally, but when I switch from "converter" to "IS mode" (set to "shoot only") the camera crashes in the same way
** the same two options crash the camera in several other modes
** in SCN mode, "AF Frame" is set to "Face AiAF"

* to recover, I have to push ON/OFF, and the camera powers up and works as before (as long as I don't reach these menu items)

* before I started using CHDK, I used the MENU with no problems, including setting the "AF Frame" option

* this happens with no SD card loaded, with an SD card with CHDK (either locked or non-locked), with an SD card without CHDK

this makes me think the problem may be related to some camera status variable being set in an inconsistent way, that crashes the canon firmware. I have no idea if this is related to CHDK or to installing a wrong version of it.

anybody has hints on how to check camera status variables or reset them?

(already tried the reset command both in CHDK and in canon firmware)

would a firmware update help? in case, how do I get a firmware image to load?

any help appreciated

Thanks

[cppasm]

CHDK does NOT change camera's ROM/Flash - so to reset everything all you need to do is just unlock your SD card, format your SD card (either in camera or using PC with cardreader), remove batteries,  wait about 3 seconds, insert batteries and use camera as usual.
Just for sure (not really needed), you can remove clock battery when removing main battery too.
But be prepared that this will reset clock time and ALL your settings.

If this will not help (I can't even imagine this) - then problem is not with CHDK, but with Canon's firmware.
First try all mentioned above, hope this will help.
Remember - loading wrong version can not harm anything, it just would not work.

[lynch]

CHDK does NOT change camera's ROM/Flash - so to reset everything all you need to do is just unlock your SD card, format your SD card (either in camera or using PC with cardreader), remove batteries,  wait about 3 seconds, insert batteries and use camera as usual.

first, thanks for your help

I tried that, and it didn't work (both with no memory card an with another SD card without CHDK)

Just for sure (not really needed), you can remove clock battery when removing main battery too.

that looks like a good idea, but I have no idea where the clock battery is, and the manual suggests it is not meant to be accessible to the user

The camera has a built-in date/time battery (backup battery) that allows the
date/time settings to be retained for about three weeks after the battery pack
has been removed.

[cppasm]

that looks like a good idea, but I have no idea where the clock battery is, and the manual suggests it is not meant to be accessible to the user

I don't have G11, so can't tell you where is this battery.
Try to look into this manual (page 164): http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/5/0900011235/01/PSS2ISCUG-EN.pdf
I believe G11 have something similar, so try to investigate battery compartment more closely.
You can also try to reset to factory defaults using menu entry (described in G11 manual).

If all this will not help - you should go to Canon service before your warranty expires.

[lynch]

I don't have G11, so can't tell you where is this battery.
Try to look into this manual (page 164): http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/5/0900011235/01/PSS2ISCUG-EN.pdf
I believe G11 have something similar, so try to investigate battery compartment more closely.
You can also try to reset to factory defaults using menu entry (described in G11 manual).

thanks. but the G11 seems to use a rechargeable date/time battery (which is charged from the main battery), and for this reason i'm afraid the clock battery is not user-serviceable, see http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/6/0300002536/03/PSG11_CUG_EN_03.pdf pag.21

my only hope would be to leave the camera unpowered for 3 weeks to see if the clock battery expires

anyway I will have a second look to the battery compartment

[cppasm]

Instead of waiting 3 weeks you should better go to nearest Canon service.
This will take much less time.