[lattesurf]

snab , what program did you use to format the player? If you use the Disk Tools and got an error, setting the slider in the Partition & Encrypt tab to max (right) format it, then set it to min (left) and format it again.
Or else, right click on My Computer >> Manage >> Storage >> Disk Management. Then select the player's drive, right click and chose Format. You might want to select FAT file system to format it.
To darken the screen on your player, go to System >> LCD Set >> Darkle, there you can set in seconds, the amount of idle time before the screen darkens.

roycollingwood , seems to me you have a hacked player. Best way is to physically open the back casing and check for the memory chip's serial number against the manufacturer's website.