Fuji a500 give "focus error" message and won't shoot pictures

I am sorry to say that this design of lens is the worst i've seen from Fuji.
Focus error relates to the mechanism right at the front of the lens. The motor and drive gear are in the end piece of the lens, as opposed to other cameras that have the focus mechanism in the back of the lens and is easily access able once inside the camera.
Does the lens stick? or buzz on power up? If you tap gently, with your finger nail, on the actual lens on power up ( you may have to do this several times) you may find the lens comes out ok and no error msg is displayed (until you try zooming).This will probably be because something is jamming the gears or the tiny tension spring used on the gears has come off. I have tried to clear several A500's with this problem with limited success.