okay, as no-one on here could help, i sent an email to Kodak.
I got a reply today stating that they no longer had parts for my camera, and that they could upgrade me (at a cost i might add) to another camera.
As i've only had the camera two years, i have to say i am a bit miffed with this. So i decided to give them a call. I learnt two things:
1: Kodak appear to care less about after sales matters.
2: I was told that even if they did have the parts, the standard charge for fixing cameras is...£89.93!!!!! Yes, that precise. It's a shame that they weren't that precise when making my camera.
It's a real shame as i do love my camera, and i'd really rather get it repaired than buy a new one, and yet it seems i'm being forced to 'upgrade' by Kodak, which right now, i feel loathed to do.
any one else had similar experiences?