> > I load the batteries and plug the charger in. The lights briefly flash
> > green, then go out. I figure that this means the batteries are already
> > charged.

>   No.  It may mean that something is wrong, either with the
> batteries or with the charger.  If the batteries are traditional
> NiMH AAs, they won't have much of a charge at all.  If they're the
> newer "pre-charged" batteries, they're still very unlikely to be
> fully charged.  I can't say how your charger was designed, but with
> all of the ones I've used, if I put NiMH batteries back in them
> shortly after they were charged, they'll usually charge for at least
> a minute or two, not briefly, before the charging stops.

> > So I load them in the camera. But the camera won't turn on. I load the
> > batteries in my TV remote control and it works OK.

>   Just to be sure, carefully check that the batteries were correctly
> inserted.  If one or both are inserted the wrong way, the camera
> won't work, and this is all too easy to do, as many cameras don't
> clearly mark the necessary insertion polarities on the camera.

> > Any ideas? Are the batteries charged up already? The charger manual
> > says that the charging lights should turn off when charging is
> > complete. The Fuji manual says NiMH rechargeables are OK.
> > Thanks from a puzzled newbie.

>   Many of the TV remotes I've used can last many years without
> requiring the batteries to be changed.  NiMH batteries that need to
> be recharged can probably provide what it takes to operate the low
> power remotes while still being unable to provide sufficient power
> for cameras that may require hundreds of times more current.  If you
> have a flashlight/penlight that uses AA cells, see if they're able
> to power the light for several minutes.  If they're only able to
> last for seconds, produce a feeble glow or none at all, they either
> need to be charged, or are no good and need to be replaced.

>    Unfortunately, you don't yet know if your new charger is working
> properly or if one or more of the new batteries are defective.
> Either could be responsible for what you are seeing.  Ideally, you'd
> either have, or be able to borrow another known-good charger and a
> few good, rechargeable AA cells.  Then you'd be able to test the new
> batteries with the old charger and the new charger with the old
> batteries.  If you can't do this, here's one more possibility.

>   Try to charge just one or two of the batteries, not all four.
> Then try to charge the others.  If only one or two of the AA cells
> are defective, it may prevent the charger from being able to
> function, but only with the defective battery(ies).  If this is what
> you see, you'll know that the charger is good, but one or two of the
> batteries were bad.

>>> I load the batteries and plug the charger in. The lights briefly flash
>>> green, then go out. I figure that this means the batteries are already
>>> charged.
>>   No.  It may mean that something is wrong, either with the
>> batteries or with the charger.  If the batteries are traditional
>> NiMH AAs, they won't have much of a charge at all.  If they're the
>> newer "pre-charged" batteries, they're still very unlikely to be
>> fully charged.  I can't say how your charger was designed, but with
>> all of the ones I've used, if I put NiMH batteries back in them
>> shortly after they were charged, they'll usually charge for at least
>> a minute or two, not briefly, before the charging stops.

>>> So I load them in the camera. But the camera won't turn on. I load the
>>> batteries in my TV remote control and it works OK.
>>   Just to be sure, carefully check that the batteries were correctly
>> inserted.  If one or both are inserted the wrong way, the camera
>> won't work, and this is all too easy to do, as many cameras don't
>> clearly mark the necessary insertion polarities on the camera.

>>> Any ideas? Are the batteries charged up already? The charger manual
>>> says that the charging lights should turn off when charging is
>>> complete. The Fuji manual says NiMH rechargeables are OK.
>>> Thanks from a puzzled newbie.
>>   Many of the TV remotes I've used can last many years without
>> requiring the batteries to be changed.  NiMH batteries that need to
>> be recharged can probably provide what it takes to operate the low
>> power remotes while still being unable to provide sufficient power
>> for cameras that may require hundreds of times more current.  If you
>> have a flashlight/penlight that uses AA cells, see if they're able
>> to power the light for several minutes.  If they're only able to
>> last for seconds, produce a feeble glow or none at all, they either
>> need to be charged, or are no good and need to be replaced.

>>    Unfortunately, you don't yet know if your new charger is working
>> properly or if one or more of the new batteries are defective.
>> Either could be responsible for what you are seeing.  Ideally, you'd
>> either have, or be able to borrow another known-good charger and a
>> few good, rechargeable AA cells.  Then you'd be able to test the new
>> batteries with the old charger and the new charger with the old
>> batteries.  If you can't do this, here's one more possibility.

>>   Try to charge just one or two of the batteries, not all four.
>> Then try to charge the others.  If only one or two of the AA cells
>> are defective, it may prevent the charger from being able to
>> function, but only with the defective battery(ies).  If this is what
>> you see, you'll know that the charger is good, but one or two of the
>> batteries were bad.

> Thanks for your reply.
> It turns out the batteries weren't seated correctly in the charger.
> Remove and reinstalling them a couple of times fixed this.
> For a pair of NiMH AA batteries which didn't complete the charge cycle
> (I removed them after 6.5 hrs of charging, rather than the recommended
> 8hrs) I got 3 days use on holiday. 100 pics, 90% daylight non-flash.
> Bruce