Here's a quick guide in recovering your Sigmatel-based player after a bad flash.
First check the firmware version you got. If it's an older version that is made up of
4 files and contains
usbmsc.sb, follow the guide below. If it is made up of more files, usually
6, and contains
hostlink.sb, then skip to the
newer firmware section of this guide.
For older firmware (that contains usbmsc.sb):
1. Install
this program.
2. Get your player into recovery mode by holding Play for 10 seconds, then plugging the player in with the button held. Hold it for another 10 seconds then release it.
3. Your computer should detect a "Player Recovery Device", point the driver search to the folder you installed the firmware updater in.
4. After the drivers are installed, copy working firmware to the firmware updater folder, overwriting the original ones. Start the firmware updater, it should allow you to flash the player and return it to working condition.
Note: If the update program mentioned above does not work, try
this one. Extract it in a folder of your choice, copy the firmware in its folder and see if it can flash your player. Keep the other one installed though, you will need it too as this one doesn't contain the drivers necessary for your computer to recognize your player as a "recovery device".
For newer firmware (that contains hostlink.sb):
1. Download and install
this program.
2. Get your player into recovery mode by holding Play for 10 seconds, then plugging the player in with the button held. Hold it for another 10 seconds then release it.
3. Your computer should detect a "Player Recovery Device", point the driver search to the folder you installed the firmware updater in.
4. After the drivers are installed, you can try the firmware bundled with this program, it is in the Binary folder. If it doesn't work, proceed same as above, copy firmware files to the firmware updater folder, overwriting the original ones, and flash away. :wink:
General notes (twice as long as the guide itself :lol
:
If the program displays an error, try different firmware. Version numbers don't matter, just check that they are for a similar player. I also recommend you not to use FileFixer.
If the program gets stuck and keeps searching forever, your player is most likely NOT in recovery mode. Follow steps 2 and up again, the screen of the player should stay blank during the entire process, or light up when you connect it to the computer but go blank again after a few seconds. On some players the screen goes white after you connect it to the computer. Another possibility is that the firmware's USB driver is incompatible with the player's chipset, and you should try another one.
Hint: When the USB driver contained in the firmware (
usbmsc.sb or
hostlink.sb) is compatible with your chipset and you get a succesful flash, the player will be recognized as an USB disk. In this case,
do not overwrite this file when you try new firmware, only change the other ones. The firmware is modular, so there is a possibility of some firmware to work properly with the USB driver from another version. Well, if you got here already, in the worst case you'll end up with a flash drive in the shape of an MPx player. :lol:
If your player is stuck on a white screen or with something displayed, you should try to reset the player first. Some players have a reset hole on the back (mine does), use a pencil lead or a needle to press the button inside, the screen should go blank. Now follow the corresponding guide again from step 2.
If the player is stuck with the screen on and it doesn't have a reset switch, then you have to cut battery power. If you are afraid to take the device apart to remove the battery, just leave it till it drains by itself (may take a couple days). Or you can try opening the new update program, which automatically resets the player if it can detect it. Some players that get stuck on a white screen power down after connecting the USB lead for 20 seconds or more and then disconnecting it, you should try that too.
If you have a similar working player, you can use
this program to get a firmware dump. Follow the program's directions and ignore any warnings it may give you, then follow the guide to recover your broken player.
Good luck! 8)
Sigmatel recovery guide (Updated)
