K790a Problem - "Another application is running. Close it, and then start the camera"

**ampersand** · 07-09-2011, 01:58 AM

K790a Problem - "Another application is running. Close it, and then start the camera"

Today my 790 has malfunctioned. When opening the lens cover it says "Another application is running. Close it, and then start the camera." However there are no applications running.

I have searched all over (here and elsewhere) and can't find any straight info as to what causes it or how to fix it. I have found many threads where people have had this problem, but no case where someone has been able to fix it. Just a lot of "solutions" that either didn't work, or no response as to whether they worked or not. Nothing seems to work, from flashing, updating firmware, master reset, remove battery and wait a while, replace internal components, etc..

Many different explanations of what causes it. The most well-written response I found said it was caused by the connection between the camera and the board getting fried....

Does anoyne have any advice?

I bought the phone used and have had it for 2 years, it's a great phone and I like it a lot. Everything else still seems to work fine, but for me the camera was the most important part and without it the phone is basically useless

**cheviot** · 07-10-2011, 12:18 PM

I still have one of these as a backup bought directly from SE. One of the most reliable and bug-free handsets I've owned. However, there have been two issues (this being one). Usually a hard reboot takes care of it (complete battery and card pop for at least a minute). If that fails to solve the issue it may be time to reinstall the firmware. If you're still malfunctioning after those two, it may be done for.

Q: Carrier-branded or unlocked and unbranded?

**ampersand** · 07-11-2011, 04:22 AM

Originally Posted by cheviot

Usually a hard reboot takes care of it (complete battery and card pop for at least a minute). If that fails to solve the issue it may be time to reinstall the firmware. If you're still malfunctioning after those two, it may be done for.

Thanks! I just tried it (removed card/battery for 10 minutes) but it didn't help. Tomorrow I will try for longer, and then try updating with SEUS, but I'm pretty sure it's just broken. (I've used the camera a lot - I'm amazed it's lasted as long as it has.) I read something about the "flex cable" being damaged causing this problem?

Q: Carrier-branded or unlocked and unbranded?

It's unlocked/unbranded (I bought it that way).

BTW do you think the 850 would be a good replacement for it? I saw that you have one of those too.

**cheviot** · 07-11-2011, 12:34 PM

The 850 is a mixed bag of tricks. I carried it for exactly 2 years before replacing it with Aino ("a" version). Suffered a WSOD within the first week causing a send back to SE for firmware update. The main issue with it is that its processor is not large enough to handle the functionality of the phone, so running more than one app at a time is an almost sure crash and reboot. The camera aspect is better than the 790 (and you well know what a good camera it has), and it can be a very good phone if you can deal with the high maintenance involved, but my advice would be to bypass the 850 and spend the extra $ for Aino or the w995. Overall, the build of Aino is better with the only sacrifices being video ringtones and the infrared data capability of the 790, and the processor (and internet) speed is far superior to the 850 so not as likely to crash.

**ampersand** · 07-14-2011, 04:11 AM

My main thing is the camera, not so much the actual "phone" part. I don't use internet on my phone and rarely use it for much other than music/photos/sometimes games. I rarely make calls with it (I have another phone). Basically I need a cam that can do good marco photos with good focus and the CyberShot phones are unsurpassed for that as far as I'm concerned. I could just get a standalone camera but prefer to have a phone, can't beat the size for portability, plus the cost is not bad, especially for the photo quality. People who see the photos can't believe I took them with a cell phone lol

How about the C905? I was comparing the k850 to the c905 and was concerned about the glass cover on the 850, worried it would get scratched, and also I read it collects dust really badly. Actually just based on what I've read I was leaning more toward the c905 for various reasons. I don't "need" the 8mp (3.2 was more than enough for me) but the other aspects seem superior. I did read the slider over the camera feels like a piece of crap though...

Wish the 790 kept working so I didn't have to go through this decision process again.