Problem with my new Canon 550D, need urgent help!

I just got my new Canon 550D from HongKong today. I plugged the battery in and turned it on into the playback mode for 3 seconds, then the camera shut down automatically. I was not able to turn it back on again and thought it was a battery problem. Then I fully charged my batteries (1 Canon and 1 aftermarket) and still couldn't turn it back on. No reaction whatsoever.

P.S. When I plug in either battery now, the access light at bottom right would become red for 1 second. But that is it.

Reply 1 : Problem with my new Canon 550D, need urgent help!

By the way, occasionally the screen would light on for 1 second, accompanying the red access light, when the battery is attached.

Any ideas? Sending it back to HongKong is painful. Oh and if I do not have warranty in Australia, how much would it cost to fix it here?

Reply 2 : Problem with my new Canon 550D, need urgent help!

Did you insert a memory card? I don't think that camera will turn on without a memory card.

Reply 3 : Problem with my new Canon 550D, need urgent help!

Yes a SDHC is inserted

Reply 4 : Problem with my new Canon 550D, need urgent help!

No bro, camera usually turns on even if there is no memory card inserted in it!!..

Reply 5 : Problem with my new Canon 550D, need urgent help!

Get to your nearby Canon service center. Let them check what's wrong with the camera and estimate the cost of repairing. Good luck.

Reply 6 : Problem with my new Canon 550D, need urgent help!

If you live in Australia and did buy it without checking the warranty conditions, you might have bad luck, indeed. Warranty for some of us is a good reason to buy it locally (even if it's more expensive).

Kees