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General discussion

Samsung Camcorder - can't power it up

Dec 6, 2010 12:40PM PST

Good Day!

I have a Samsung Camcorder SC-MX20C (about 2-3 years old) and I cannot turn get it to power up. I have connected it to my computer via the USB cable and not only does the computer not recognize it anymore, the orange charge light does not even come on. It appears completely dead. I had used it 3-4 months ago to playback some video with no issues. I hadn't noticed whether or not the battery was completely dead...that is a possibility.

If the battery is dead and unable to take a charge, would the camcorder still not power up anyways if I connected it to my laptop with the USB cable? Any ideas on why I can't turn the camcorder on?

Thanks!
Lee

Discussion is locked

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Iffy
Dec 6, 2010 12:45PM PST

I find dead camcorders to sometimes power up without the battery. No USB ever made any diff.

So pull the battery and try. And read this forum for the old common fix (hand thump).
Bob

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Simple question?
Dec 6, 2010 1:31PM PST

Is connecting the camcorder to the computer using the USB cable the way you are trying to recharge the battery?

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Hmmm....
Dec 6, 2010 9:20PM PST

I did try pulling the battery with no success.

To boya, now that you mention it, I might be mistaken. I have misplaced the cord that connects the camera to a wall plug outlet via the DC IN connection on the camcorder, and so I connected it to the laptop via a USB cord to charge it. I charge my blackberry that way and perhaps I'm incorrect in assuming that my camcorder will also take a charge when connected to my laptop. Perhaps I simply need to purchase the cord to plug into the wall?

Thoughts? (and thanks again for the quick replies!)
Lee

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I'm fairly certain
Dec 6, 2010 10:09PM PST

camcorders won't charge using USB. All you need is the AC adapter for the DC input. Ideally, the one which came with the camcorder will work - there's a reason the manual
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/SC-MX20C
makes no reference to charging the battery with USB but provides instruction for the AC power adapter...

If you don't have the power adapter, a suitable replacement from Samsung or a close equivalent from Radio Shack with an appropriate tip that fits correctly should work fine.

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Success!
Dec 7, 2010 9:30PM PST

Thanks again boya....I went to a local radio and they didn't have anything that would replace my power adapater. However, your suggestion that I was mistaken thinking that I could power my camcorder with the USB cord motivated me to turn my house upside down to look for the power adapater cord. After another hour of looking, I found it and voila! Once I plugged it in, the camera came back to life and began taking a charge.

Thanks for the replies and helping me fix the problem!

Lee

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YAY!
Dec 8, 2010 12:34AM PST

Thank you for letting us know!