Help with boot-up problem

Does the screen display anything at all when it's flashing? Any data displayed or is it white, black, blue or static?
Firmware can't be reinstalled, only updated. Only thing I can think of is to check for stuck buttons and rapidly switching the power switch to clean the contacts. Have you tried a different card, checked the card slot for debris?

I agree with Michael. It can be LCD problem only. I have 7M2 and I also have problem with LCD/view finder combo. I have it set to Auto what means that when a view finder is not covered - a monitor should display a view. It should but for some reason doesn't do it. I mean: most of the time doesn't but sometimes suddenly works how it suppose to work.
When I change menu settings to "Monitor" it works flawlessly but otherwise - not.
I have to check and clean tiny sensor located by view finder. Perhaps this is my problem.

There may not be a simple fix to your problem. It seems you have already tried to force the camera to do a full/cold boot up:
Turn off, unmount the lens, take out the battery and wait at least 1 minute (to clear memory settings etc) before reinserting the battery and turn on the camera.

(When you as usual just switch off with a charged battery in place, the camera goes into some sort of sleep mode and wake up again when you turn it on - so not technically a real boot up.)

I have not seen any description on hard reset with buttons on E-mount cameras. But on older A-mount cameras like Sony A68 you can do a hard reset this way:
Turn ON the camera.
Press the MENU, Playback and MOVIE buttons simultaneously.
While Pressing these buttons, turn OFF the camera.
Release your fingers, and wait over 30 seconds.
Press the MENU, Playback and MOVIE buttons simultaneously again.
While Pressing these buttons, now turn ON the camera.
Release your fingers.
https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/downloads/Z0005607

Others describe it a little different:
Turn off camera, take out battery, insert battery again, turn camera on.
Press these 3 buttons Menu+Movie+Playback simultaneously
Turn camera off without releasing buttons,
turn camera on, Alpha logo should appears, count to 5 and release buttons.

On A77 it may work with Menu+Movie+AEL ?

This will probably not work on E-mount cameras, but I don't think it will hurt in any way.

I have no idea of what causes the error in your camera. But electronic devices like Sony cameras are prone to failure in a moist environment. Temperature differences may cause condensation inside. Be sure to dry the camera thoroughly if it has been suffering from wet conditions. Of course, apart from electronic failure, mechanical failure also happens.

Checking for a stuck button is a good idea - happened to me with my A7RIV. My A7RIV had its AF ON/ENLARGE button stuck in and went crazy whenever I turned it on, and ran the battery down in very short order. Was starting to pack it to ship for repair when I noticed the stuck button. Managed to pop it up and work some contact cleaner around it and it's been fine ever since.

Thanks for this good suggestion that i have tried to follow with 3 different fully-charged batteries but unfortunately in this particular case does not work.

Whenever I plug the camera into my laptop and open Play Memories, the computer beeps repeatedly (in synch with the flashing of the rear LCD on the camera), as if repeatedly identifying but not recognising a new external periphery, leading me to believe the power system or boot up system of the camera is repeatedly crashing, attempting to restart, and crashing again.. perhaps due to failure of an electronic component?

Also the camera sensor jiggles and if attached the lens emits a slight whispering noise every time the Rear led flashes, so I am curious to know if the sensor also slightly moves up and down a tiny fraction in a healthy camera during the start up process?

Just hope I don’t start beeping like this when I wake up in the morning! 😊

Edited by windhorse - 02 August 2021 at 23:36