An unusual problem with detection and formatting

[simon.crash]

Hello everyone,

I have searched google for two hours, and this site for three... trying various utilities (HP format utility, mp3 player utilities, flash dump program) and reading lots of posts - but I have only found one person with a problem like mine, and there was no solution on the thread for them (not on this board). Posting here is my last chance! (it seems like a great community... ive learnt a lot through my reading... shame I didnt find here before I purchased!)

I purchased an "ME2" 2GB (yet unverified) black iPod nano clone. It's black all the way around (not silver back), and has FM radio, mp4, etc capability.

It works fine in all regards except one:

I cannot transfer any files onto it.

Upon plugging in via usb, and turning on, it gets detected by My Computer, and assigned a drive letter.

However upon trying to transfer mp3's, movies, text files etc into the base (empty) directory, it errors with:
"Error copying file or folder
Cannot copy xxx: Cannot find the specified file.
Make sure you specify the correct path and file name."

Or even creating a new folder within the player errors with:
"Unable to create folder
Unable to create the folder 'New Folder'
The system cannot find the file specified"

Following advice, I attempted to format - but cannot:
*Right clicking on the drive in My Computer and selecting format just doesn't do anything (the dialog box doesn't appear)

*Trying to use HP format utility doesn't work ("Error. There is no media in the specified device")

*It doesn't appear in Disk Management

*mp3 Player Utilities does not detect it (nor does s1fwx firmware dump program)

One more point to note:
ONCE (but I cannot seem to repeat it), upon restarting the computer and plugging it in, it appeared in Disk Management. Also, when looking in the base directory there were two folders (one with the sample song and one with the recording I made, I assume).

I tried to open one of the folders, but it just hung requiring me to end explorer process. When I tried again the base directory was again empty.

It still remained in Disk Management, as active and healthy, and let me change the drive letter. I could open the format dialog from here, and tried to format, but it errored upon trying to start with:
"The format did not complete successfully"

Restarting the computer/ chipod did not since make the player appear in disk management again.

I have not tried changing the firmware yet, as I am yet to contact the seller in regards to a refund. (I assume they dont like you opening the case if you're going to apply for refund...?)

Is this something anyone here has seen before? Does anyone have any ideas? Is it just buggered?

Please help! I'd be hugely appreciative!

Have an awesome ANZAC day!
Crash

[lattesurf]

simon.crash , besides the connection and file transfer problems, does the player function properly by itself?

Likely i would suspect that the USB cable is having problems. Try using another USB cable first and see if the problem still persists.

[simon.crash]

Thank you for the very quick reply!

Yes, bisides the above problems, it works pretty well (minor problem of button clicks only registering about half of the time, but meh):
I can play the sample asian pop track clearly, fm receiver works (relatively), games, etc, all operate fine.

Just tried another usb cable... and unfortunately exactly the same problem!

... any other ideas?

[lattesurf]

simon.crash , in this case, it could be a hardware problem with player's USB socket.

Just to be sure, try plugging the cable into a different USB port. And if possible, try using another computer.

[simon.crash]

Thanks again for replying!

As you were, I was going over to a friends house to test exactly that... and with the new cable, on my friends vista computer... it works fine!

So no idea exactly what caused the problem... I'll post back for the record when I get back home if now (having formatted it on my friends computer) it works on my computer, and with or without the supplied usb cable!

But thank you for your support! My faith in ChiPods is still strong! (it was even 1.95GB as claimed! )

Have a good one,
Crash

[Jimmymcwick]

Originally Posted by simon.crash

Thanks again for replying!

As you were, I was going over to a friends house to test exactly that... and with the new cable, on my friends vista computer... it works fine!

So no idea exactly what caused the problem... I'll post back for the record when I get back home if now (having formatted it on my friends computer) it works on my computer, and with or without the supplied usb cable!

But thank you for your support! My faith in ChiPods is still strong! (it was even 1.95GB as claimed! )

Have a good one,
Crash

Please reply to this post simon.crash as i have expereinced the same problem with my pc and mp4. It works on my friends comp...even got to format..just doesnt register on mine. Tried the different cords and also tried uninstalling the drivers and letting it reinstall them. Also did run scandisc on my friends pc and it finnished. Still not working on my PC.


Helllllp!!!
Jimmymcwick

[lattesurf]

Jimmymcwick , what OS is your computer using?

[Jimmymcwick]

Good old Windpws XP SP2 from dell

[joshuax]

I'm having this EXACT same problem, tried the formatting and everything with the same results. Anyone come up with a solution?

[lite]

I think its a hardware problem with your players , Either the chips have 2 pins stuck together and VISTA has stuff to work around that or a hardware problem with your PC , instead of trying a differnt USB cable , Try a differn USB port (One @ the back)