Sony cybershot camera

Purchased a DSC-W120 Sony shot camera. Two and a half days later with 250 pictures of our Switzerland adventures recorded I turned my NEW camera on and encountered the dreaded c:13:01 error message. As the camera was new id recently read the instruction manual and knew id done nothing wrong. I give the following recollection of events as the cause of the problem. While viewing my photos in 'slideshow' mode i was interrupted by a phone call. When I returned my camera had turned off due to the battery running out. I removed the battery and recharged it over night for only the second time. I put the battery in the camera the next morning and when i turned it on i got the error message. As the camera was new and had been treated with care my only explanation of the error is that my NEW 40pound, 2GB SanDisk Pro Duo memory stick must have been damaged when the camera automatically turned off while the memory stick was being accessed. I contacted Sony and as expected they refused to take responsibility and gave me useless trouble shooting information. THANKS FOR NOTHING! I connected the camera to my computer using the provided USB cable. I again encountered the same error message and was unable to access my photos. When I inserted the memory stick into my card reader the same problem occurred. I then visited my friend and inserted my memory stick into his PSP (hand held portable game console) and surprise surprise, I was able to view all my photos on the PSP screen. We then connected the PSP to my computer but were unable to access the photos as my computer would continually request that we format the memory stick. I took the stick to a tesco supermarket that had one of those self service photo machines (kind of smaller and skinnier than an ATM, might also find one in a chemist, photo shop or department stores). The machine was able to read my memory stick and i copied all the pictures onto a cd. I then returned to my friends house, re-inserted my memory stick into his PSP and formatted the stick. It now works fine. Note- While you may not have access to a PSP try to find another sony product that can read SanDisk memory sticks. eg. all new and recent sony laptops have a SanDisk card reader which may allow you to view and copy your photos and then format your memory stick all in one go. Note- Although this is not stated in the camera user manual my friend told me that before using a new memory stick you should format it inside the product it will be used in. So he formatted his sticks in his PSP and suggested I format my sticks in my camera before using them. This was common knowledge to him but id never heard of it before. After all the hassels ive encountered I personally recommend against purchasing a Sony camera. From all the posts ive read this error is wide spread and should have been properly addressed by now. I wont be buying a Sony camera again. Clean up your act Sony.

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