Hello Mike,
You make me smile - I dont want to give up on it either.
As to your questions - herewith copied and answered.
- is the MemoryCow cable the correct one for your model of camera?
Yes it is - I checked for that very carefully - and yes it does fit into the camera - perfectly
- have you successfully charged any other devices from the same USB port on your computer? (Some USB ports don't provide power - or sufficient power - to charge other devices)
Yes - my Samsung smart phone, my Nexus tablet and also used this means of connection to download images from both onto my computer.
- are you leaving the computer switched on and running (and not in sleep mode) while you charge the camera? (it's probable that the USB port only provides power when the computer is running)
Big smile here because I know what you might be thinking (I do have my blonde moments but not in this case - Big smile again) - but yes I do have it on.
- do you see a charging light or any other inidication of charging on the camera itself when it is connected via that cable to your computer? (Most cameras have a little LED that glows red, green or orange during charging - or they may display a charging symbol on the screen)
That's how I know its not charging - blue ring light does not flash as it used to
- have you tried the other USB ports on your computer? (on some computers with multiple USB ports, not all ports will provide power)
My computer has multiple USB ports and I use them all, they all work (it's a fairly new HP Computer)
- do you have a phone, tablet or Kindle charger that has a USB connection? If so, you can plug your MemoryCow lead into that charger and try charging from it
Tried that too but still not charging so have to conclude that somehow the charging connection in the camera has gone 'kaput' which means - last resort is buying that flat bed thingammajiggy because with a charged battery, the camera works perfectly.
As for the new batteries - that's another long story, as I ordered on Amazon from a company stating as being UK based, (I check veeery carefully in order to avoid anything from China) showing an image of a Pentax battery and received something completely different... from China!!!.... and slightly larger so didn't fit. Can you believe they offered me first £3 then £5 refund and I could keep the batteries. When I asked them (via Paypal) "What part of 'The battery DOES NOT FIT' don't you understand?" and my persisting with Paypal did I get a full refund.
2nd order I placed on slightly more expensive batteries also showing Pentax battery image, also indicating UK business I received two that were not what they showed, also from China and do fit but also a tight fit and needs to be prised out of the slot. I try every angle to avoid buying anything Chinese but they have become as cunning as a bag of monkeys to get any business in every way possible. They offered full refund immediately if I wanted to return the batteries as I also complained about their false images and the tight fit - so I am sorely tempted to now return them them and go for the Duracell complete set battery and charger.
Pentax Optio E85 Battery
And on a much lighter note - and I know this email is already long - but I have to share this genuine 'Blonde Moment' a very dear friend of mine had when I was still living in Zimbabwe.
Sally - whilst a truly bright & sharp successful business woman - did have her moments. So she gets to start her car in the morning, battery is flat (left her park lights on overnight), phones her local garage who tells her she'll have to bring her battery in for re-charging - but if she can get help push-starting, she could get the engine to turn and running and drive to the garage.
A few miles down the road, her friend Brian happened to pass and stopped to help, seeing three African males pouring sweat and clearly totally exhausted from pushing. When told the problem, he popped open the bonnet to see what could be the problem...... to discover with somewhat incredulity there was no battery in there.
"Sally, sweetie," he asked in the most kindliest manner "where is the battery?"
"Oh" said she smiling and flipping her hair in a flirting manner, quite pleased with herself, "It's in the boot, the mechanic said it would have to be taken out to be charged, so I decided to do that for him and save time."
And that is a true story - I worked for her
And on that note I must get going.
Thank you again Mike for your help - I think I will go the Duracell route. I won't give up.
Have a lovely week and hope you enjoyed my Blonde story.
Dinah
Read more at:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/189-repairs-warranty-service/326374-penta...#ixzz4I2Y9MoyX