I just bought a Kodak easyshare CX4230 camera. It came without
batteries. I put 2 AA alkaline batteries in it. It came on I  took a
picture with flash. and then I turned it off. when I turned it on a
gain it did't work. I then put 2 AA lithium batteries in it it still
didn't work they might not be excactly the correct kind either.
Tommorrw I will go to a camera store to get the correct battery. Is
there a chance I ruined the camera?

Howdy craigeperkins,

A pleasure to work with you again!

For whatever is is worth, your Kodak Easyshare CX4230 should have
come with a "CRV3 lithium battery or equivalent" according to this
Kodak web page.
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=145&pq-locale=en_US

"Package contents
* KODAK EASYSHARE CX4230 Zoom Digital Camera
* CRV3 lithium battery or equivalent
* Video out cable
* USB cable
* Wrist strap
* KODAK EASYSHARE Software CD
* Documentation
* Custom camera insert for optional KODAK EASYSHARE Camera Dock"

This same web page also lists the power options, including batteries,
to use with your camera.

"power options
...
2AA lithium or Ni-MH batteries or 1 CRV3 lithium battery"

Even though you put in alkaline, instead of lithium batteries,
your camera should not have drained them through a single use.
Once you replaced the alkaline batteries with the lithium ones,
it should have worked just fine.

In fact, this Kodak Batteries: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
web page, although for a diferent camera/battery, states that you
can do exactly what you did in a pinch.
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/batteries/faqs.jhtml

"Until you are able to obtain a new lithium battery, you can continue
taking pictures using a 9-volt alkaline battery. This battery will
operate your camera's many automatic features but won't last as long
as the lithium battery."

Bottom line?  You didn't ruin the camera, at least not by doing what
you have described.  The camera would appear to be defective.

If you need any clarification, feel free to ask.


Search Strategy:

Google search on: Kodak Easyshare CX4230
://www.google.com/search?q=Kodak+Easyshare+CX4230

Google search on: battery FAQ lithium alkaline
://www.google.com/search?q=battery+FAQ+lithium+alkaline

Looking Forward, denco-ga

Thanks again, it was a defective camera

These cameras can take a variety of voltages -- lithium cells have
inherent voltage of around 1.6V.  Alkaline 1.5V.  NiMH 1.2V.  So
cameras have voltage regulators inside.  They're not easily damaged.

But digital cameras do have a mongo capacitor inside to charge the
flash.  If the logic in the camera crashes, you may need to drain this
capacitor to reset the logic.  Sometimes you do this by holding down
the power button while removing the batteries after taking a flash
photo.  Or take out batteries and let it sit for a few days in a humid
environment.

Thanks for the five star rating, craigeperkins.

My pleasure!

Looking Forward, denco-ga