Mass Storage
 

I feel a bit better having discovered this site as I don't feel so ridiculous about what I have done. I have tried many things that have been suggested but my biggest issue is that I cannot get my computer to recognise the mp4 player as anything except a mass storage device. I therefore cannot start the nightmare of trying to install any firmware. Because of this I cannot use the mp3 update software as it says there is no device.

I didn't save the firmware as I didn't even know about all that stuff until I got here.

I have a nano clone with slightly larger screen. It did when I got it yestrday morning play mp3, record voice, play smv videos, e-book and FM radio.

Can you please asist me in this trial and tribulation.

Lissa

Babbler_98, If you go to the DEAD PLAYER RECOVERY GUIDE HERE there is a section in RED text that will tell you how to manually install the ADFU driver which will put your player into recovery mode.

Re: Mass Storage
 

That's my issue. It won't let me select anything else except mass storage and when I try to put in the adfu....inf, it says that there it does not contain information for my hardware.

I've done a flash reset thing but it doesn't seem to go into recovery mode. Is there a trick to it?


Thanks for the assistance. Hopefully this problem can be solved.

Lissa

Re: Mass Storage
 

Oh, it still playes mp3's and when I think I flashed it, it came up with folders on the drive...images, mvideo and userlogo. What's with that?

Babbler_98, Couple of things you could try, there is also another version of the ADFU driver in the MP3 Player Utilities folder C:\Program Files\MP3 Player Utilities 3.68\RDiskUpdate\driver , try loading that one. Try also to connect your player to a different USB port this should cause Windows to open a driver install window then direct it to the driver.

Re: Mass Storage
 

Tried that,it still won't let me. It's like I've got no choice. It's like it's determined to make this a mass storage device. The problems started I think with the sigmatel firmware and for some reason, this actually recognises my player but nothing else will except as a mass storage.

I have formatted it several times as FAT and FAT32. It still responds the same way.

Babbler_98, Exactly what message are you getting when you try to manually install the ADFU driver. Upload some screen shots if possible.
The other thing which may stop Windows installing the driver is "Driver Certification". Right click on the My Computer icon and select Properties, then the Hardware Tab, then Driver signing and set to Ignore. Now try to reinstall the driver.

Re: Mass Storage
 

Tried the driver certification thing and it didn't do anything or change the situation.

I've taken the screenshots to show you..how do I upload them now?

Babbler_98
If you open an account at ImageShack you can upload images to their site and then just add the links to the images to your post. Or you can just zip them and upload them to rapidshare and leave a link and I will download them.

Re: Mass Storage
 

Here are the images
Images

Babbler_98, In 2.gif it shows that you have selected "Show Compatible Hardware" when you deselect this what other options become available?

Re: Mass Storage
 

Even when I deselect it, it still has the same and even when I deselect it and the mass storage then click on have disk...it still does the same.

I know this is a pain for you and I'm very grateful for your assistance.

I guess I just want it solved now...at least I'll never forget this lesson!

Babbler_98, It's no pain to me, what version of Windows are you using?

Re: Mass Storage
 

Windows XP SP2

Babbler_98, Now I am just going to throw a few suggestions at you as I am running out of options.

Do you have Administrive rights or are you logged into Windows on a limited user account, if so log in as Administrator or create a new account with administrive rights and try installing the driver.

Also right click on the AdfuUpdate.inf and select install from the popout menu this may make the device driver available. then try to manually install.

Re: Mass Storage
 

Babbler_98

Some other things to try:

1. UNINSTALL the "USB Mass Storage" from Device Manager. Then restart your computer. Before Windows comes backup, plug it into ANOTHER USB port instead. Then see what happens.

2. If that is still a problem, UNINSTALL anything that saids "USB" from Device Manager, unplug your player, restart your computer, let Windows automatically detect everything. Then plug your MPx player in and see what happens.

3. If you can, try plugging your device into ANOTHER computer altogether. Can you try it on a friend's computer or something and see what happens?

4.It might also be a profiles issue, so try creating a NEW USER ACCOUNT (with full admin rights) then plug your player in and see what happens.

5. Could it be that the "USB Mass Device" you're seeing is actually for ANOTHER device? What other USB devices you have plugged in? Disconnect them all, uninstall the "USB mass device", restart your computer, then plug your MPx player into another port on your computer and see what happens.


Try those and let me know what happens.....

My player went into mass storage only too... what i did is install mp3 tools 3.13 i think it is... and 3.68... then i would try flashing with one... then the other... and so on.. disconnecting from usb and connecting again... and bam... suddenly it let me flash... dont how or why but it worked for me when my screen was black only... good luck...

..::Weecho::..

Re: Mass Storage
 

Tried both of those and even went onto another computer and get exactly the same result. Interestingly enough, I have the SigmaTel Firmware upgrade Utility and it recognises my player..maybe that's where the problem is. Is the player still meant to be able to player mp3 even after you have formatted it or flashed it? Mine does this and to me that doesn't amke sense if there is not meant to be anything on it.

Babbler_98, quite oftern the player will still function with a blue or black screen after a bad firmware upgrade because the incompatibilities may only be minor. If the sigmatel upgrade utility is recognising your player it should be able to upgrade it. Now we need to find you the right firmware. Do you know what version it was? Can you describe the menu images, background colours, boot and shutdown animations etc? You mentioned it has a larger screen is it 1.8 inches when measured from corner to corner. Have a look in the Gallery and see if you can find a similar looking player.

Re: Mass Storage
 

Babbler_98,

I would definately be interested in getting a copy of the "SigmaTel Firmware upgrade Utility" you have though as I don't have it on this site.

I only have the "Sigmatel Firmware Extractor" instead so if you can upload a copy of the the SigmaTel Firmware upgrade Utility to this site, that would be great! People are asking about flashing their players but don't have the tool to do it.

Re: Mass Storage
 

The player image is supplied in my images at http://www.geocities.com/babbler_98/

Originally it came up with a 'Welcome' message on the windows Xp 'Bliss' type image. It then went straight to the music player. The menu had icons 3 across and 3 down for each of the following form top left --> music, voice record, voice play, Fm radio, video, image, e-book, settings and info

Re: Mass Storage
 

From memory the firmware was something along the lines of 002.600.345???

Re: Mass Storage
 

I can upload it if you like. How do I do it? I don't know whether you would really want it as I think this is the cause of all my issues.

Babbler_98, Is this firmware you have extracted from your player? If so upload it to http://ezshare.de/ and leave me a link.

Just so as I understand what has happened so far.
You tried to upgrade your firmware using Mp3 Upgrade Utility or SigmaTel Firmware Upgrade Utility?
What is the state of the player at present?
What have you done to the player since upgrading it?
It is not recognised by MP3 Upgrade tool but is recognised by SigmaTel Firmware Upgrade Utility?

Re: Mass Storage
 

In the "Downloads" section on the left hand menu bar, you will see a section called "Uploads by Members. If you can upload there, that would be great.

Love to see it and how it works.

Re: Mass Storage
 

I used the SigmaTel uploader first off and since then I haven't been able to do much else. The MP3 upgrader will not recognise my device but the sigmatel firmware uploader will. And as already said, I can't seem to get out of this dilemna of getting past the whole mass storage thing and cannot change the type of device.

The state of the player at present. Blue screen, can player mp3s but the buttons are all wrong. Play seems to be the only consistent one.

I've flashed the player and as far as anything else...well I can't really do anything else except transfer files on and off it like..well like a mass storage drive.

I've uploaded the software I used in the uploaded by members area for you to check out.

Thanks again. :roll:

Babbler_98,
The problem is not with the SigmaTel Uploader but the firmware you uploaded is not compatible with your player. MP3 Upgrade Tool does not recognise your player because it is not designed for SigmaTel chipsets it is for Action chipsets. I would not worry about the mass storage drive problem as long as the SigmaTel Uploader recognises your player you should be able to flash it once you find the correct firmware.
Unfortunatly I have never owned a SigmaTel chipset player and do not know what the differences are between the two types of firmware. Check the CD that came with your player as it may have a copy of your firmware as a .bin or .fw file. You could also try contacting the seller and asking if he has or can extract a copy of the firmware.
Failing that you are most likely going to have to play Russian Roulette and randomly try to flash firmware that has the same menu images etc that yours had. the problem with this is that things could get worse befor they get better. What was the firmware you tried to upgrade with?

The firmware was 002.600.200. So, my player is most likely to be a sigmatel chipset? It's not the way I made it? The CD that came with it doesn't work or at least I can't read it. Tried it in 4 different cd players and can't read it. I contacted the seller, will try again tomorrw, have a phone number..might just work.

Babbler_98, Unfortunately I have never seen any reference to that firmware number. Regarding the SigmaTel chipset I am not 100% sure that it is I am just going on the fact that MP3 Upgrade Utility won't recognise your player but the SigmaTel Utility does. I just downloaded the SigmaTel Firmware Extraction Utilitiy from the Download>Tools section and when I run it with my Action Player connected it gives a Warning that it is not identified as a Sigmatel chipset, to be sure I suggest you download and try it and see if it recognises your player as a SigmaTel.

I just used the sigmatel extraction utility and the screen shot of what happened can be found http://www.geocities.com/babbler_98/
I was able to save the files. I guess that makes it a sigmatel. Just have to find the right firmware now. Will try to get onto the seller tomorrow or Monday. I think it's time I turned in for the day.

Babbler_98, I would definatly say SigmaTel. It is interesting to see how the drive is partitioned for boot sector etc. It appears to extract a more complete backup than s1fwx which only does a partial backup.

Thanks for your assistance. If you happen to come across the firmware for a player like this. The version is 2.600.100.

I endeavour to see what I can do and if and when I get a hold of it I'll send it through to you.

Thanks

Babbler_98

Ok, we've determined it's a Sigmatel chipset which is a good start.

This means that the s1fwx tool don't work on it as it's not an s1mp3 player (aka ACTIONS).

What I suggest is to post a message in the GENERAL forum asking for anyone who has a Sigmatel chipset player to upload their firmware to this site. Once we get people sharing firmwares for SIGMATEL chipsets, it might make things easier for you. I guess we can get the ball rolling with YOUR firmware if you can zip it up and upload it to the site, that would be great.

Babbler_98, have just purchased a SigmaTel player I will upload the firmware as soon as it arrives. It is a differrent player than yours but it might work for you. :)