Formating my MP3 player....

[Dark Blade]

OK, I've got a quick question here. If I format my MP3 player, will it still be able to function properly??


Or here's an even better question. Can anyone fix my MP3 player? Here are the symptons:

• When I turn it on, it turns off after a second, then turns off, and repeats until I take the battery out
• When I try to access it on my computer, it says:
E:\ is not accessible.
The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error/
• It has 0 bytes of space used and 0 bytes of space left.

In conclusion, I think the drive is corrupt, but can anyone help me?


Wait, I just noticed something.... searching through the Properties info of my MP3 and I found this:
[•] Enable write caching on the disk
This setting enables write caching to improve disk performance, but a power outage or equipment failure might result in data loss or corruption.

Heh, just a thought...

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

What model mp3 player is it?

Sometimes there are system files hidden in the root of your mp3 player.
Copy cmd.exe from C:\windows\system32 and paste it to the root of your mp3 player.
Open that cmd.exe and type 'attrib' and see if there are any files with the attributes 'S' or 'H'

[Dark Blade]

By the root of my mp3, do you mean the actual mp3 folder (i.e. E:\)......? Because I've said that I can't access it.

Even when I do dir E:\, it says that there is an I/O device error.

BTW, it's a Commodore.

[reaper_tbs]

yeah i don't think he can put cmd.exe in there if he can't even access the drive. you sure you don't need drivers for that thing?

[Calum]

I format mine almost every month, because it's quicker than deleting my music form it.
Although a message informs me I will lose my settings, I never do.
If it doesn't work now, you have nothing to lose from formatting it.
And can you run chkdsk on it?  Might help.

[reaper_tbs]

can you access it via the device itself? like instead of using the computer, can it even play music?

[Dark Blade]

OK, when I use chkdsk, it says Cannot open volume for direct access. Basically, I can't do anything with my mp3 player.

So, would formatting be my way to go?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I think it's your only way to go...

[Zylstra]

A note to formatting a MP3 player:
Your MP3 player might not support the default file system. Read your Owners Manual BEFORE you format. See what file system it is using.
(For example, My MP3 player supports the Windows FAT format, but not FAT32 or NTFS. Therefor, it wont work if I use the wrong format)

If you cant get the formatting precautions in your manual, then try FAT Format, and then if that doesnt work, FAT32, and then NTFS...

Once you have done that, run a scandisk on your device.

Loosing settings:
Settings will only be lost if the settings are stored as a file. If they are stored in the firmware (Usually, they are, since thats where the OS is held as well) they will remain safe.

Other ways to reset:
Some MP3 players may have a special button combination that resets the device. This may be a better route.

[Dark Blade]

Well, I can't seem to find anything about formatting in the manual, but that isn't my only problem.....

I can't format!!!
Here are the various errors I recieve while trying to format through CMD:
Error in IOTCL call. (what's that mean?)
Cannot open volume for direct access. (which is the same error as when I try to open it normally)

Um, yeh. And that's about all. So, any other alternatives...?

[Zylstra]

Plug it into a Vista computer so it bombards you with "This drive may be corrupt. Scan now?"

Does Linux have any means of drive checking?

Your drive might be screwed... but dont give up hope yet.

[Dark Blade]

Hmmm.... when I go to my friend's house next I'll make use of Vista's over-protective security features...

And I have no idea about anything to do with Linux.

[Zylstra]

Well, I dont think Linux can fix it, but I do think Linux can format it. But I have no idea if it would turn out the same results.

Try upgrading your firmware using an application from the manufacturer website. I cant say if it would work or not, but I think the goal might be to get data transfer that might reset something.

[unlovedwarrior]

plug it in go to my computer right click on the mp3 and click format... or is that the method you tried

[Dark Blade]

Zylstra, I'll try that, and update you on the results later.

unlovedwarrior, I have tried both your method of formatting and formatting through CMD, yet neither work.