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KODAK DC215 Zoom Digital Camera
Tips and Troubleshooting
There may be times when questions arise from using your camera. This chapter can point you in the right direction for finding the answers quickly, so you can continue using your camera.
Connecting with Your Camera
If you are getting messages on your computer that state you are not connected, refer to the PDF documents installed with the software, or the online help for troubleshooting information. If you are connecting to a:
- Windows-based Serial connection—refer to Serial.PDF [534 KB]
- Macintosh computer—refer to Connect.PDF [383 KB]
Communicating with the Computer
If the camera cannot communicate with your computer you may need to adjust the serial port and speed settings. If you are using a Windows-based computer, the serial port and speed setting can be adjusted using the KODAK DC215 Camera Controls Software, or the KODAK DC215 Digital Access Software (TWAIN Acquire). If you are using a Macintosh computer, the serial port and speed setting can be adjusted using the KODAK DC215 Digital Access Software (Plug-In Acquire), or the KODAK DC215 Picture Transfer Application. Information on using these applications can be found in the online help for each software application.
Adjusting Your Monitor for Better Viewing
Your monitor display settings may need to be adjusted to view pictures from the camera. Refer to your computer User's Guide for information on how to adjust your monitor display settings.
Getting Better Results from Your Printer
You may notice that the colors on your computer screen do not always match those in your documents or prints. This is because monitors and printers use different color systems.
You may be able to achieve more predictable results in your printed
documents by:
- Improving the quality of your paper. Copier paper may not offer the same results as coated paper or paper made especially for inkjet printers.
- Adjusting your printer software settings.
- Using fresh ink cartridges. Do not use ink cartridges beyond their life expectancy.
Remember these few tips when it comes time to print your document:
- Color printing takes more time. More complex pictures increase the printing and drying time.
- Color printing is more memory intensive than black and white. If your computer gives you an insufficient memory message, you may need to close some applications, change some settings, or add additional memory.
- Color prints may not photocopy as clearly as black and white. If you plan to photocopy documents, you should consider printing the document in grayscale. This setting is usually changed from the Print dialog box.
- Resizing the picture to a smaller size or printing the picture on glossy paper may increase the quality of the print.
- To improve the quality of your prints, you may want to print your pictures on KODAK Inkjet Snapshot Paper (Snapshot Paper). Snapshot Paper is made to work with most inkjet printers to give you clearer, crisper, and more detailed images on your prints.
Troubleshooting
If you are experiencing difficulties with your camera, check the following table for possible solutions.
Additional technical information is available in the ReadMe file located in the KODAK DC215 folder.
| Computer Monitor | ||
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
| The image on your monitor is jagged or inappropriately colored. | Monitor is not set correctly. | Adjust your monitor display settings. |
| Memory Card | ||
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
| The camera does not recognize your camera memory card. | The camera memory card may not be CompactFlash certified. | Purchase a certified CompactFlash camera memory card. See Inserting a Camera Memory Card. |
| The camera memory card may be corrupt or formatted for use in other digital cameras. | Reformat the camera memory card. See Formatting Your Camera Memory Card. | |
| Camera memory card is not inserted in camera. | Insert a camera memory card. See Inserting a Camera Memory Card. | |
| Camera Communications | ||
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
| Computer cannot communicate with the camera. | Camera power is off. | Turn on the camera. See Turning the Camera On and Off. |
| The Slider switch is not set to Connect. | Set the Slider switch to Connect. | |
| Some Advanced Power Management utilities on laptops can turn off ports to save battery life. | See the Power Management section of your laptop User's Guide to disable this feature. | |
| Conflict with another serial device, such as a modem or PDA | Refer to the serial communication or corresponding section of your computer modem, PDA, and/or operating system User's Guide. | |
| Camera is not connected to serial cable, or cable is not connected to the computer serial port. | Connect serial cable to camera and computer port. See Connecting Your Camera. | |
| Port settings in software may be set to the incorrect COM port. | Change the COM port settings to Auto-Search or to a specific COM port. See the online help. | |
| Camera | ||
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
| Ready light does not turn on and the camera does not work. | Batteries are low or dead. | Batteries need to be replaced. See Loading Batteries. |
| Camera is not turned on. | Turn on the camera. See Turning the Camera On and Off. | |
| Red ready light comes on and camera does not take a picture. | Batteries are low. | Batteries need to be replaced. See Loading Batteries. |
| Camera memory card is full | Transfer pictures to your computer, delete pictures on the card (see Deleting One or All of Your Pictures), or insert a card with available memory. See Inserting a Camera Memory Card. | |
| Amber ready light comes on. | Flash is not charged. | Wait for the flash to charge. |
| Green ready light is blinking and camera does not take a picture | Picture is being processed and saved to camera memory card. | Wait for the picture to complete processing. |
| SHUTTER button does not work. | Camera is not turned on. | Turn on the camera. See Turning the Camera On and Off. |
| Slider switch is not set to Capture. | Set the Slider switch to Capture. | |
| Ready light is blinking. Camera is processing picture. | Wait until Ready light stops blinking before attempting to take another picture. | |
| The Status Display reads Full. The camera memory card is full. | Transfer pictures to your computer, delete pictures on the card (see Deleting One or All of Your Pictures), or insert a card with available memory. See Inserting a Camera Memory Card. | |
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
| Part of the picture is missing. | Something was blocking the lens when the picture was taken. | Keep hands, fingers, or other objects away from the lens when taking pictures. |
| Your eye or the picture was not centered correctly in the viewfinder. | Leave space around subject when centering picture in viewfinder. | |
| Camera Close-Up is activated without using Preview. | Activate Preview when using the Close-Up feature. See Photographing Close- Ups. | |
| Picture is too dark. | Flash is not on or did not function. | Turn on the flash. See Setting the Flash. |
| The subject is too far away for the flash to have an effect. | Move so there is no more than 10 ft (3.0 m) between the camera and the subject. | |
| The subject is in front of a bright light. | Change your position so the light is not behind the subject. | |
| The Exposure Compensation is set incorrectly. | Increase the Exposure Compensation. See Adjusting the Camera Exposure. | |
| Camera does not turn on. | Batteries are not properly installed. | Remove and reinstall the batteries. See Loading Batteries. |
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
| Picture is too light. | The flash is not needed. | Change to Auto flash. See Setting the Flash. |
| The subject is too close when the flash was used. | Move so there is at least 1.6 ft (0.5 m) between the camera and the subject. | |
| The light sensor is covered. | Hold the camera so your hands or other objects do not cover the light sensor. | |
| The Exposure Compensation is set incorrectly. | Decrease the Exposure Compensation. See Adjusting the Camera Exposure. | |
| Stored pictures are damaged. | The camera memory card was removed when the Ready light was blinking. | Make sure the Ready light is not blinking before removing the card. |
| Pictures remaining number does not decrease after taking a picture. | Image Resolution and Quality settings do not take up sufficient space to decrease the picture remaining number. | The camera is operating normally. Continue taking pictures. |
| Picture is not clear. | The lens is dirty. | Clean the lens. See General Maintenance and Safety. |
| Subject too close when taking picture | Stand at least 1.6 ft (0.5 m) in wide angle, 3.3 ft (1 m) in telephoto. | |
| Subject or the camera moved while the picture was taken. | Hold camera steady until the picture is taken. | |
| The subject is too far away for the flash to be effective. | Move so the subject is less than 10 ft (3.0 m) away. | |
| LCD Messages | ||
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
| Memory Card is Full. | Memory card is full and cannot hold additional pictures | Transfer pictures to a computer, delete pictures on the card (see Deleting One or All of Your Pictures), or insert a card with available memory (See Inserting a Camera Memory Card.). |
| No Memory Card Available. | There is no memory card inserted in the camera. | Insert a memory card into the camera. See Inserting a Camera Memory Card. |
| Memory Card is Corrupted/Unreadable. | Memory card is corrupted. | Insert a new (See Inserting a Camera Memory Card.) or reformat the memory card (see Formatting Your Camera Memory Card). |
| Camera needs service. | The camera is malfunctioning. | Have the camera serviced. |
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