SanDisk Sansa clip zip dies and/or not recognized by pc

[cherylca]

Brand new Sansa zip clip on which I have never got to use. It worked for the 1/2 hour I used to learn to use the buttons but otherwise I did not use it. Some weeks later, I connected to pc without problem, and loaded music. I left the device in port to charge. Its lights went out but I assumed that was normal. When I later tried to listen to music (disconnected from pc) with earphones, the device would not turn on. Connected back to the pc, first the device was "not recognized." The next day I downloaded proper update from Sandisk site and the info on device screen indicated that "trouble shooting" was going on for a long time. Afterwards, the device came up in Windows explorer (BTW, system is Windows 7, Enterprise and Windows Media Player is installed) and all the folders were visible. Opened "Music" and it was all there. Left the device in port to charge. Removed it from port and used "reset" strategy because the device would not turn on. It turned on and immediately after welcome screen it goes immediately to "Refreshing your media" and dies before it finishes, i.e. after about 4 seconds. The same thing happens when I then connect it to the port and I have tried different ports. In device manager I see that "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)" . Do you have any strategies or should I just use the guarentee? I'm really getting fed up. Thanks for considering this problem.