Look in the custom functions, you can turn it off.

That was one of the first things I did, turn that off.
A few days ago I ran into that problem with the little lock switch. I had been doing a lot of handheld and moving around, putting the camera down, picking it up, etc., and the record button would do nothing. I figured I had flipped something accidentally, but it too, me a gut-wrenching moment to remember that switch. Good thing somebody on here had mentioned it a couple of weeks ago; otherwise I could have panicked.

Yeah, Bill, I completely freaked out for a night. I had a feeling though that I was being duped by the camera.

Thanks for the tips Eric & Stefan.

Problems Powering UP... HELP-SOS
 

I just bought the A1 a couple of days ago and I can't power it up today. I used it last night while getting used to it with no problems.

Today I was going to do the same and I can't get it to power it on. It powers on as VCR but not as camera.

Please if anyone has an answer I'll appreciate it. I have two jobs Saturday with a total of 6 HD cameras.

EDIT: I found my answer

I had the LOCK ON instead of STANDBY

I am new to CANON. I love the Image. Even my new HV20 is beautiful.

Do not feel bad - you are not the first person to post that question (and answer).

HELP! A1 wont turn on in any record mode, but will in playback mode.
 

Just like the title says. I am packing to drive up to Atlanta today for a shoot and I check my cam and find out its not turning on in any playback mode. It will, however, turn on in in VCR or EXT CONN mode.

What could be wrong!?! This is a freshly charged battery!

Your standby switch is flipped.

The LOCK switch was not engaged (i thought it might be). The same behavior happens weather or not the LOCK is engaged.

Whoops, looks like that was a typo. I meant to say: It works in playback mode but does NOT work in and recording mode.

I'm typing this from a cell phone so its a little confusing...sorry! :p

The previous posts indicate the answer to your problem.

Fair enough. I'm on the road right so I can check this moment, but is there another "standby" switch I don't know about with the excepton of the LOCK switch on the top left on the handle?

Yeah, it's part of the recordbutton that's NOT on the handle. It's a Standby/Lock-switch which you can turn.
Located at the back of the camera - near the tapecompartment.

The 2nd switch wasn't engaged, but after fiddling with it for a few mins it finally turned on...if it happens again, I might have to get it looked at.

Thanks guys for all your help!

Yah, must have been the switch.

Disaster Strikes! My poor A1...
 

Okay, so I was on a shoot and some construction crew was cutting some pavement about 30 ft. away all of a sudden the "concrete dust cloud" started to blow right into my camera. I covered it up with this tarp thing i had but it was by no means airtight. The dust kept blowing over it for about 10 or 15 minutes but the camera kept working fine. Then about 30 mins later when i went to check some of the footage i turned the cam to vcr mode and when i tried to turn it back to record mode it wouldn't turn on. The cam works fine in vcr mode but none of the recording modes work (no lights turn on or anything). I'm guessing the dust did something but am not sure why it only stopped working once i turned it off the first time. Has anybody ever had anything like this happen? I'm hoping i'm just being a dunce and there is some button i've flipped or something that is screwing it up but i know this is wishful thinking...