To me, this is not a mechanical malfunction but some sort of firmware or software issue. The fact that the Nikon representative said the purple dot issue was caused by impact (when in fact they sent out a firmware update to fix that months ago) and the fact that you didn't have this problem until you got the camera back from Nikon to me warrants another call to their service center. Unfortunately a lot of these customer service reps just follow a script and don't really know what they are talking about.

I don't think there is a way to turn off the flash in the menu. You turn it off by retracting it. And you turn it on by pushing the little button on the side that releases it (or puts it in the upright position).

Is the flash pop up control button (that puts the flash in the upright position) jammed in some way? I would try raising and lowering the flash a few times to see if that operation works smoothly. These cameras are pretty well built, and to me it would take quite a jolt to cause damage, as Nikon is saying. Make sure that area is clean. Somehow, the camera thinks the flash is raised when it's not.

Also, does the flash fire when contracted in bright conditions?

I have been working very closely with my surgeon for a long time. During the past year replacement lenses have been changing/improving at a rapid pace! A year ago a type of lens called the Vivity was the latest-greatest thing. The Vivity lens was touted as being able to enable me to see at both close and far in each eye without glasses. The problem with that lens is that I would not be able read small print in dim light. Also, they did not come in the strength I required. I waited until the company that makes the lens started to make then in the power I required. By then a new type of lens had been developed. This new lens makes it possible for the doctor to adjust the perimeters of the lens after the surgery by shining a bright UV light into my eye. He will be able to make fine adjustment in terms of both plus and minus diopter corrections and even make astigmatic corrections. He does not make any guarantees but he tells me that after he is done I may be able to see both close and far out of each eye without glasses. (I don't understand how that is even possible!) An alternative is that I will be able to see good at distance with my dominant right eye and that my left eye will be adjusted to read fine print up close. (Mono-vision)

The worst case is that I will be able see at a distance without glasses like you can, but will need drugstore cheaters to read fine print. All of these options sound better than how I can currently see. The surgery is scheduled for this Thursday. I look forward to it.

I must be one of the first people to be getting this lens at my doctors location. Someone from the lens manufacturing company is gong to be at the surgery to assist my doctor with the surgery! I hope they know what they are dong!