AND, if you are willing to spend a few bucks, look for those tech assistance stores that fix from cell phones to DVD. I found one that also sells MP4, and they know how to fix firmware problems... though tadad1 helped me out with that :D

Re: DEAD PLAYER RECOVERY GUIDE
 

OK I got it opened up and found the memory chips inside. Did the tweezwe thing...computer finds the device but as a USB device not as a ADFU Server . When I select the ADFUUpdate.inf it says the specified location does not contain any information on my device...over and over again...HELP How do I get Windows XP to install this?
Thanks

Re: DEAD PLAYER RECOVERY GUIDE
 

That is exactly whats going on here, thanks ddish, i was about to give up due to my own stupidity, but now that i know that someone else is in the same boat as me i feel a bit better about fixing my MP4
Details:
its a 1.5" screen nano clone (even has a bootleg "apple" symbol on it)
uses(or used rather) the ACT 3.5.35 firmware as its default (from dealer)
So every time i short the chip it resets and installs the usb mass storage drivers and then opens the drive location showing it as completely blank...
i managed to get it to the recovery stage onceeee... but alas i somehow screwed it over again while tryin to reinstall the firmware... i made sure to use a full version of 3.5.35, and it still doesnt work...any insights? please and thank youuuuuu

DanDan & ddish,
There are a couple of things you can try if you are not able to load AdfuUpdate.ini.
Right click on My Computer and select Properties, then the Hardware tab, then device manager and find the entry for the USB Device, right click on it and uninstall it.
Unplug your player.
Make sure you are logged into windows with Administrator rights.
Right click on My Computer and select Properties, then the Hardware tab, then Driver Signing and select Ignore and set as default.
Right click on the AdfuUpdate.ini and select install.
Connect your player to a different USB port preferably one you have not used before and short the chip again then try to install the ADFU driver.

Re: DEAD PLAYER RECOVERY GUIDE
 

Guys,
First of all I want to say a big thanks for all the help here. Its great!
Second, I finally got it running again. I set it up on another computer that did not have a previous instal. Shorted it and it worked...did the rest as in the guide and now back to normal.
Thanks again

ddish, Man that is great news, I love it when a plan comes together. :)

Re: DEAD PLAYER RECOVERY GUIDE
 

And by the way, I just received my totally fixed ready to go 1gb 1.8" BACK! :lol: :lol: :lol: Sooo happy now! Thanks A LOT, tadad1, I got tell you, this big boy here almost ended up crying :oops:

Victor1980, :D Now play nicely.

Re: DEAD PLAYER RECOVERY GUIDE
 

heh...heh...heh....
thanks for your help tadad1
It worked pretty much...
...to an extent...
When i tried to reinstall the firmware (3.5.35 that i got from the link on your dead player recovery guide) the mp3 upgrade tool read "Complete" but the player did not show any signs of life except for a glowing black screen, i tried to proceed with the guide...but the mp4 player seems to have not accepted the firmware... Please help again...i used the mp3 utitlities 3.68 program...is there somthing wrong with that version?...well i shouldnt guess...ill leave it in your hands...they are very capable ones after all.
thank you in advance..
DanDan

Oh i forgot to mention that i also tried the other firmware versions on your guide.

DanDan,
In most cases to fully recover your player you need to flash it twice, once with a full version firmware and then with a firmware dump.
When your player is in recovery mode it will only accept a full version firmware but once that is installed you should then be able to load dump files.
In some cases you may need to format the player before uploading the dump files.
The trick is finding the dump.bin that is compatible your player. The links I provided are just the ones that worked with my player.
There are a lot more in the Download>Firmware section. If you know what version your player had stick with that version. If your player becomes unresponsive while trying different ones you need to start again by shorting the chip.
Unfortunatly without a backup of your original firmware it is just a matter of trial and error until you hit the right combination of full and dump version firmware which can be frustrating and time consuming.