Camera Problem - damaged pictures

[#1]

Hello everybody,

First time using this forum, so please accept my apologies if I posted in the wrong place.

Here's my problem.  I bought a Xperia Arc last year and I was very happy with it.  I updated to the latest version of Android (2.3.4) two weeks ago.  Since then, whenever I take a picture and go see it in the Gallery, the picture is ruined.  A part of it (maybe 10 to 20%) is very clear while the rest is whether all gray or fuzzy.  If I reboot the phone and take pictures, the first few ones are perfectly ok.  After a while, the problem starts again. 

I searched this forum for solutions and found nothing

I have a workaround, but you will agree with me that it's pretty annoying to reboot the phone whenever you want to take a picture.

Did anybody experience the same problem?  Anybody found a solution?

Thanks in advance

[Uliwooly]

The issue might be the SD card. try this

settings -> applications -> manage applications -> all -> camera -> clear cache, restart your phone (it won't delete any pictures).

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[Uliwooly]

if the problem persists backup everything then use SUS or PCC to repair your phone

Update Service (SUS)

http://www-support-downloads.sonymobile.com/Software%20Downloads/Update_Service_Setup-2.11.12.5.exe

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[Uliwooly]

Different ways to backup

Settings -> privacy -> Back up my data and Automatic restore should be selected

and also

SMS/MMS/Call Logs

Install "backup SMS+" to back up your SMS, MMS and Call Logs  to your Gmail

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&feature=search_result

or just SMS use

"backup & restore SMS"

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.riteshsahu.SMSBackupRestore&feature=search_result

or just MMS use "Save MMS"

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.schwimmer.android.mmsextract&feature=search_result

Call Logs (Just call logs)

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.yang.android.ansta

Contacts

just to play it safe sync your contacts w/ google if you haven't already

open your phonebook

press MENU button -> tap on Send Contacts -> select all -> send it to your email

on your computer

-> download the file -> go to your gmail -> click on contacts -> click on more actions -> on the drop down menu click on "import" -> choose the file -> and click import

Backup & Restore app (will backup your SMS, MMS, Call Logs, Settings, Apps, Contacts)

Use one of these links to download the

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1193802

or

http://www.elita-clan.com/downloads/backup_and_restore_v010935.apk

http://www.elita-clan.com/downloads/backup_and_restore_v010935.apkor
http://www.mediafire.com/?1n07llajeaoo03y

How to install it

download the app, transfer it to your SD card

Download Apk Manager

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.magmamobile.app.apkinstaller&hl=en

open "Apk Manager" and voila select the apps that you wan't to install

Apps

Don't worry so much about backing up your apps

on your computer go to: market.android.com -> log in -> click on My Library -> and send all your apps to your phone

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How to sideload apps

1st Method

How to install it

You need to

go to settings -> applications -> check unknown sources

download IO File Manager

https://market.android.com/details?id=org.openintents.filemanager&feature=search_result

download the app on your computer, transfer it to your SD card, use OI file manager to find it -> tap on it -> install it

2nd method

download the apk on your computer, send it to yourself through email, make sure you send it to your Gmail

now on your phone

go to settings -> applications -> check unknown sources

wait for the email, once  you get the email, open it, and instead of downloading the attachment it will allow you to install it, voila, done

3rd Method

BOX and upload the apks from any computer

install the App on your phone -> open BOX -> tap on the app -> install it

4th Method by far the easiest

an even Easier alternative

download the app, transfer it to your SD card

Download Apk Manager

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.magmamobile.app.apkinstaller&hl=en

open "Apk Manager" and voila select the apps that you wan't to install

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[#5]

Hello Uliwooly,

Sorry for taking so long before replying, but I had to back everything before performing the update.  I tried every steps you recommended and the camera is still experiencing the same problem.

I noticed that the higher the resolution, the worse the pictures are.  I start to suspect a compression problem caused by the software, but I'm not 100% sure. 

I took the waranty, so I am not too far from returning the phone... I just think it's sad, because this problem started with Gingerbread 2.3.4 and my carrier doesn't seem to be releasing ICS anytime soon even if it's been out there for a while.

Thanks again for your help!

[Uliwooly]

you should return it if you still can or exchange it, can you post some examples so other users that have the same issue can check

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[#7]

Hello uliwooly,

You are right about posting a few samples. I tried to give both 8mp and 6mp examples.

If somebody experiences the same problem as me, they might notice that the problem occurs at 8mp in every case.  At 6mp, if you just rebooted the phone, it might take several pictures before it starts ruining the pictures (check them all, because the sample is usually ok... it's when you open the picture that you see how damaged it was).  I also noticed that the problem occurs at 6mp especially when you have high contrasts which tends to indicate that it is a problem with compression.

So here we go:

This picture was taken at 8mp.  A simple picture of my floor. 

The next two, I'm not too sure which is 6 and which is 8 megapixels, but I wanted the other users to note the two variants of the problem.  In one case, a gray area and in the other, a discolored area as in my first example:

(pictures will have to be posted in another reply for size limitation

[Uliwooly]

this seems to be a SD card issue, backup your SD card and reformat it

on your PC

1) open any folder -> click on tools -> properties -> view -> show hidden files

2) mount the SD card, go to your SD card, press Ctrl + A then Ctrl C, on your desktop create a new folder, open it, then press CTRL + V

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[#9]

If I'm not mistaken, this is the one taken at 6MP.  Note the gray area.  I tried with my floor, but the contrast was not high enough.  As soon as I got several colors in the picture, the problem reappeared

\

And here is another variant of the problem with the same location:

I called Sony Mobile to report the problem today and I was informed that I had to return the phone for investigation (7-10 days).  haha  Unfortunately, I use my phone non-stop, so I can't afford losing it.  I will then just go exchange it where I bought it since I have an exchange guarantee.

I wanted to say thanks to you Uliwooly for your always quick replies.  It is greatly appreciated.

Hope to enjoy another Sony Mobile phone soon (without the little problems I experienced)

[Uliwooly]

I forgot to suggest to reformat your SD card before you sent it in, my bad.

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