michigan2005, Like most of the problems with these players it is just perserverance and the will power not to throw the thing at the wall that gets it right in the end. You might try using this commercial upgrade tool
HERE.
Install it then plug in your player open the Product Tool and press the Identify Port button Although I have not used it for this I think it has the ability to identify the usb device and install the driver.
Before you do that though if it is a usb device and you can see it in explorer try to format it then see if you can install the AdfuUpdate driver.