Red LED flashes on Sanyo VPC-X350

[Bill Benson]

I have had this camera since 1999, never had a problem, but now at times the red LED light next to the viewfinder flashes right after I try to take a picture, and it will not turn off even when I close the lens cover and turn off the view finder.
I have to open the bottom cover to disconnect the batteries in order to reset it.
After doing this, I checked to see if it took the picture because the flash DID go off, but there was NO picture there!
I have always used 16mb smart media cards in this before and the card was not full, I still had 74 shots left on that card.
I cleaned off that card and so far it has not given that problem.
It was a good camera, can anyone help?
Is my smart media card bad?, Camera bad?
Thanks in advance.
Bill

[MIDACL]

Try reformating the card

[Bill Benson]

Thanks, I will try that is it gives me that problem again.
So far it is working good.
Thanks again.
Bill