[tadad1]

jaynick,
Best to stick with the same version number.

If your player is not detected by Windows or the Upgrade Tool then you need to short the chip which should set the player into Recovery Mode as an ADFU Device. In this state the player will only accept a full version firmware. The chances of finding a full firmware that is compatible with your player are pretty slim. The full firmware will take your player out of Recovery Mode and then you will be able to load backup dump files. Because there are a lot more dump files available than full firmware you have a better chance of finding one that recovers your player.
Formatting the player will not delete the firmware it is stored in a locked section of memory.

If your player is detected by Windows and the Update Tool then you do not have to worry about shorting the chip or using a full firmware your player should accept dump files but there is a good chance at some stage it will stop responding as you try different ones.