"Will you quit, I've got a headache."

I've heard that one before when I had the camera out.

You convinced me, no more walking in the desert when I'm hungry.

I don't think he is Irish, maybe one of the clan, but not Irish

Not funny McGee (or tlbuljac as it may be)

I also have a D70 Nikon, about 8 years old, and had a very similar problem. The camera would either have a "FOR" or a "CHR" message and the option to format the card would destroy all chance of retrieving the shots. After looking at the options, send the camera and card in and pay through the nose, I decided to forget the "dang thingy" and use the D300s. I found a can of Radio Shack cleaner and lubricant for TV tuners and decided to just spray the cleaner in the compact flash opening in the camera and also on the card contacts and installed and removed the card a few times, and "Bingo" everything worked as it was supposed to. I was able to retrieve all the photos and then reformatted the card. Hasn't failed now for over two months, and its back to the Motorcycle tour pack and goes wherever I go.
My experience worked well for me, as I was about to let the older D70 sit on the shelf and add to the collection of abandoned camera equipment, but each has to decide if it will work for them.

Before you send them home, buy them a drum and a horn. Parents love those kinds of things around the house. I also purchased a tomahawk for my grandson, he loves it.

Ronz:
eBay is a good way to go on used equipment. Use the advanced search function to determine what the prices the exact item you are looking for has sold for.

If the item is popular you will soon see what the item is worth and the availability.

Determine where the item is sold from and the feedback. I have had the best luck staying in the US.