Though a DSLR camera like the Canon Digital Rebel XTi is complex in terms of its photographic settings and the level of control it affords photographers, troubleshooting it is actually pretty simple. Point-and-shoot cameras can be difficult to troubleshoot, since you can't access the different parts of the camera, but not so the XTi. With the Digital Rebel, you can safely remove components to focus troubleshooting.
Instructions
1. Turn the camera's power switch to "On," and remove the lens cap. Look through the viewfinder (or LCD screen) and tap the shutter button half way. If nothing happens, begin troubleshooting the battery. First, ensure that the battery cover door is closed fully; when the latch isn't locked, the camera doesn't function. Likewise check that the memory card cover is completely shut. If pressing the shutter button turns the camera off, the battery is near exhaustion. It may have enough life to power up the camera, but doesn't have juice to drive the autofocus motor, which you activate by tapping the shutter button. Recharge the battery, and try to recreate the problems. Batteries don't last forever, and if your battery is running though a charge quickly, it's time to get another one.
2. Tap the shutter button halfway and look for an error code in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen. Canon lists five common error codes for the Digital Rebel XTi. Error 01 indicates that the lens contacts aren't connected properly or are dirty. Remove the lens and wipe the contacts with a clean, dry, anti-static cloth, and then reattach it. Error 02 points to a memory card problem, which could be as simple as a full card. Eject the card and insert a new one. Error 04 is another memory card issue, but is more specific: The camera detects a faulty memory card. Replace the memory card. Error 05 is a communication error; power the camera off and back on to overcome this. Finally, Error 99 is Canon's catch-all error code, indicating memory card problems, a faulty battery or a lens compatibility error, which is the most common cause of Error 99. Try removing the lens and reattaching it and then shooting in manual focus mode.
3. Check your photos for spots and flecks of dirt and debris. Press the "Play" button to enter review mode, and look for the same distortion on different shots. White specks aren't a malfunction of your camera, but digital noise created by low-light and high ISO value. Black spots are usually dust, and might sometime appear in only one shot. Check the end of your lens for visible dust. Turn the camera on and off to engage the auto dust cleaning feature, which works like a miniature vacuum. If the distortion remains, remove the lens and check the camera-end of the lens for dust. Try another lens to see if you can recreate the problem. If the problem occurs with different lenses, you may have to manually clean your sensor.
Tags: memory card, shutter button, Digital Rebel, camera doesn, Check your, error code, power camera