mike wrote:
The Olympus also has startup problems. It can't recognize the
smart media card, on startup. Wants to format the card, then gets
an error and trashes the format. Once it gets past memory test it
works fairly sell except it has transient memory write problems
sometimes.

Tried a different smart media card? Try a different memory device
(smart media or whatever it needs) on the Fuji too. Perhaps the memory
devices are failing and drawing too much current.

I've got NiCd, NiMH in capacities up to 2200MaH.

Have you tried some plain old alkalines? It "should" work on the
rechargeables, but it might be interesting to know that it works at 6.0
V and doesn't work at 4.8 V. Or, if the cameras only use the ends of
the string of cells, hook up a variable DC power supply and twiddle it
while you try to start up the camera. Doing this also lets you measure
the current.

I took apart a Fuji 1400Z for practice. There's NO chance I'll be able
to power it up when it's far enough apart to probe. 'bout the only hope
I have is to find out what's likely the problem and check part by
part...or "shotgun" it and replace all the suspect parts.

Was either camera dropped or handled roughly? You might get a magnifier
and inspect the circuit board in the area of whatever you decide is the
power supply - perhaps close to where the batteries or external power
connect to the board. Maybe you've just got a broken trace or loose
component.

You're in the right group for repair, but you might also ask over on the
rec.photo.digital newsgroup; someone there might know of a common fault
with these particular cameras.

Matt Roberds