Formatting Creative MP3 Players
Formatting Creative MP3 Players
Keywords / Key Phrases: format, mp3 player, firmware, recovery mode
If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, it is recommended that you download and install the latest driver and firmware update from http://support.creative.com/ and format your player:
- Your player is not detected in Creative MediaSource or Windows Media Player
- The battery does not last as expected
- Your computer stops responding during file transfers
- There is a power outage during file transfers
- Turn off your player.
- Press and hold the play/pause button.
Continue to hold until you perform the 3rd Step. If you accidentally release the button, start the procedure again by turning the player off normally. If the player freezes, press the Reset button on the player to turn it OFF.
- Slide the On/Off/Lock switch towards the power on signal and hold until the display lights up. The Recovery Mode screen appears, and four menu items are shown: Clean Up, Format All, Reload Firmware and Reboot.
- Turn off your player.
- Press and hold the play/pause button.
Continue to hold until you perform the 3rd Step. If you accidentally release the button, start the procedure again by turning the player off normally. If the player freezes, press the Reset button on the player to turn it OFF.
- Slide the On/Off/Lock switch towards the power on signal and hold until the display lights up. The Recovery Mode screen appears, and four menu items are shown: Clean Up, Format All, Reload Firmware and Reboot.
- Detach your player from the PC if it is connected, and turn off the player.
If the player stops responding, you can reset the player. To reset the player, gently insert a thin object into the Reset hole located below the power switch.
- Press and hold the Play/Pause button while powering on your player.
- When the player displays the Creative logo, release the Play button.
- The Recovery Mode screen appears when your player turns on. Four menu items are available in
the Recovery Mode screen: Clean Up, Format All, Reload Firmware and Reboot.
| Clean Up |
Scans the player and removes invalid links from its music library.
Does not affect music files themselves. |
| Format (All) |
Caution! Erases
all content!
Save a copy of your player's content before formatting. |
| Reload OS/ Firmware |
Caution! Erases your
player's firmware.
DO NOT select the
Reload Firmware option unless you have access to a PC and you have
downloaded the necessary firmware to install.
|
|
Reboot
|
Reboots the device. |
- Turn off your player.
Remove the battery. For more information on removing the battery,
see Removing and Inserting the Battery.
- Slide the Power switch towards the Power icon and hold it there while you reinsert the battery.
- The Recovery Mode screen appears when your player turns on. Four menu items are available in
the Recovery Mode screen: Clean Up, Format All, Reload Firmware and Reboot.
| Clean Up |
Scans the player and removes invalid links from its music library.
Does not affect music files themselves. |
| Format (All) |
Caution! Erases
all content!
Save a copy of your player's content before formatting. |
| Reload OS/ Firmware |
Caution! Erases your
player's firmware.
DO NOT select the
Reload Firmware option unless you have access to a PC and you have
downloaded the necessary firmware to install.
|
|
Reboot
|
Reboots the device. |
- Detach your player from the PC if it is connected, and turn off the player.
If the player stops responding, you can reset the player. To reset the player,
gently insert a thin object into the Reset hole located below the
power switch.
- Press and hold the Play button while powering on your player.
- When the player displays the Creative logo, release the Play button.
- It will display the following options:
| Clean Up |
Scans the player and removes invalid links from its music library.
Does not affect music files themselves. |
| Format (All) |
Caution! Erases
all content!
Save a copy of your player's content before formatting. |
| Reload OS/ Firmware |
Caution! Erases your
player's firmware.
DO NOT select the
Reload Firmware option unless you have access to a PC and you have
downloaded the necessary firmware to install.
|
|
Reboot
|
Reboots the device. |
- Detach the ZEN Vision:M player from your PC , and ensure that the
unit is off.
If the battery is too low, charge the battery fully before continuing
- Slide the Power switch towards the Power icon
 and
hold the switch in the Power On position.
- Push the end of a pin-like object (for example, a straightened paper
clip) into the reset hole, press gently and remove.
It will display the following options.
| Clean Up |
Scans the player and removes invalid links from its music library.
Does not affect music files themselves. |
| Format (All) |
Caution! Erases
all content!
Save a copy of your player's content before formatting. |
| Reload OS/ Firmware |
Caution! Erases your
player's firmware.
DO NOT select the
Reload Firmware option unless you have access to a PC and you have
downloaded the necessary firmware to install.
|
|
Reboot
|
Reboots the device. |
- Detach the ZEN Vision player from your PC, and ensure that the player
is turned off.
- Remove the battery.
- Move and hold the Power button to the Power On position
and re-insert the battery to the ZEN Vision.
- Release the Power button when the Recovery Mode appears.
To format a ZEN Portable Media Center:
- Connect the player to your computer.
- Open Windows Media Player 10.
- Click on the File button, CDs and Devices, and then click on Synchronize.
- Select the ZEN Portable Media Player in the Device pane (if you have multiple devices connected), and click on the Format storage media button
 .
- Detach the ZEN player from your PC , and ensure that the ZEN Sleek is turned
off.
If the battery is too low, charge the battery fully before continuing
- Hold down the Play/Pause button while inserting a paper clip into
the Reset hole underneath your player, beside the data/power connector. Keep
on holding the Play/Pause button while you release the Reset button.
The Rescue Mode screen will then appear.
- After the recovery mode has started, release the Play/Pause button.
- It will display the following options.
| Clean Up |
Scans the player and removes invalid links from its music library.
Does not affect music files themselves. |
| Format (All) |
Caution! Erases
all content!
Save a copy of your player's content before formatting. |
| Reload OS/ Firmware |
Caution! Erases your
player's firmware.
DO NOT select the
Reload Firmware option unless you have access to a PC and you have
downloaded the necessary firmware to install.
|
|
Reboot
|
Reboots the device. |
- Detach the player from your PC , and ensure that the unit is off.
- Slide the Power switch towards the Power icon
 and hold the switch in the Power On position.
- Push the end of a pin-like object (for example, a straightened paper clip) into the reset hole, press gently and remove.
- The Recovery Mode appears.
| Clean Up |
Scans the player and removes invalid links from its music library.
Does not affect music files themselves. |
| Format (All) |
Caution! Erases
all content!
Save a copy of your player's content before formatting. |
| Reload OS/ Firmware |
Caution! Erases your
player's firmware.
DO NOT select the
Reload Firmware option unless you have access to a PC and you have
downloaded the necessary firmware to install.
|
|
Reboot
|
Reboots the device. |
- Detach the ZEN player from your PC , and ensure that the Jukebox ZEN is turned off.
- Connect the power supply to the player.
- Hold down the Play/Pause button while inserting a paper clip into the Reset hole on your player.
- Wait for 4 seconds or so, and then remove the paper clip.
- Keep on holding the Play/Pause button till the Rescue Mode screen appears.
- After the recovery mode has started, release the Play/Pause button.
Four options will be displayed on the LCD screen:
| Clean Up |
Scans the player and removes invalid links from its music library.
Does not affect music files themselves. |
| Format (All) |
Caution! Erases
all content!
Save a copy of your player's content before formatting. |
| Reload OS/ Firmware |
Caution! Erases your
player's firmware.
DO NOT select the
Reload Firmware option unless you have access to a PC and you have
downloaded the necessary firmware to install.
|
|
Reboot
|
Reboots the device. |
To format the device, select option 2: Format All.
Detach your player from your PC, ensure that the player is turned off, and remove the battery.
If you have a ZEN Micro player, move and hold the Power button to the Power On position and re-insert the battery to the ZEN Micro. Hold the Power button until the rescue mode appears.
If you have a ZEN NX, or ZEN Xtra, hold down the Play/Pause button and insert a paper clip into the Reset hole on your player. Remove the paper clip from the Reset hole and then release the Play/Pause button after the recovery mode has started.
| Clean Up |
Scans the player and removes invalid links from its music library.
Does not affect music files themselves. |
| Format (All) |
Caution! Erases
all content!
Save a copy of your player's content before formatting. |
| Reload OS/ Firmware |
Caution! Erases your
player's firmware.
DO NOT select the
Reload Firmware option unless you have access to a PC and you have
downloaded the necessary firmware to install.
|
|
Reboot
|
Reboots the device. |
To format the device, select option 2: Format All.
Creative ZEN Nano, ZEN Nano Plus, and MuVo (TX, Vidz etc) players can usually be formatted with Windows Format in FAT 16/32 formats. It is recommended that you download and install the latest drivers and firmware first, and then format the player. After the formatting is complete, make sure that you stop your player before disconnecting it from your PC.
To stop your player in Windows XP, Windows 2000 or Windows ME
Click on the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the Taskbar, click Safely remove USB mass Storage device, and disconnect your play when you are prompted to do so.
To stop your player in Windows XP, Windows 2000 or Windows ME
Make sure that the icon below appears on the LCD screen again for at least five seconds before disconnecting your player.
Formatting the MuVo with Windows Formatting Tool:
The original firmware shipped with MuVo players does not support the use of Windows Formatter.
However, the latest firmware update for Creative MuVo players now supports the use of Windows Formatter (FAT16/32), and is available for download from the following links:
AmericaAsiaEurope
Once you have installed the latest firmware, you can format your MuVo player with the Windows Formatting Tool. To format the player, go to Windows Explorer, right click on the Removable drive letter assigned to your MuVo, then click on Format. The player can be formatted with FAT16 or FAT32, but not NTFS.
Formatting the MuVo with Creative Formatter Utility:
Connect the MuVo to the USB port on your PC.
Open the Creative Formatter Utility (Start - Programs - Creative - Creative MuVo - Format)
Press the start button to start the formatting.
When the format is completed, click Close.
Disconnect the MuVo from your PC and, whilst holding down the PLAY button, re-insert it into the battery pack. The LED on the player should light green.
Release the PLAY button - the LED should turn from green to red.
Formatting is now complete.
Formatting using the Emergency Media Recovery Procedure:
Disconnect the MuVo from your PC.
Press and hold the PLAY button whilst inserting the MuVo into the USB port.
Continue to hold the PLAY button for about 10 seconds after the unit is inserted in the USB port. Windows may report Find New Hardware, and the MuVo Media Recovery drivers should load.
Release the PLAY button.
Open the Creative Formatter Utility (Start - Programs - Creative - Creative MuVo - Format). The following message should be displayed on the screen - "..The formatter utility has detected that your MuVo unit in Media Recovery Mode..."
When the LED on the MuVo lights red, click OK.
Open the Creative Formatter Utility again (Start - Programs - Creative - Creative MuVo - Format).
If you are running windows 98, uncheck the box next to Quick Format, then click on Start. When the format is complete, click on the Start button in the MuVo Media Format tab, to once again format the unit.
If you are running Windows 2000, XP or ME, then the Media Recovery tab will be highlighted by default. Click on Start. On the Media Format tab, click start to format the unit once more.
Download the latest divers/firmware and MediaSource from our website.
Connect the MuVo NX to your PC.
Install the drivers/firmware for the MuVo NX.
Go to Start, Programs, Creative, MuVo NX. Run the NOMAD MuVo NX Media Initializer.
Select FAT and Ok to format the unit.
After the formatting is complete, make sure that you stop your player before disconnecting it from your PC (see above).
Press and hold the play/pause button, until the player powers off. If you are unable to power off the player, disconnect correctly all cables from it and remove the battery.
Press and hold the MENU button. Whilst holding down the MENU button, re-insert the battery, or connect the players power adaptor.
Release the MENU button. The message ''Recovery Mode'' should appear on the display. If the Recovery Mode message does not appear, repeat the steps above.
Press >>| and |<< to browse through the Recovery Mode options.
To format the player, choose option 3.
After the formatting is complete, make sure that you stop your player before disconnecting it from your PC (see above).
To format the MuVo TX, insert the MuVo into a USB port on your PC.
After your PC has found the MuVo, open the Windows Explorer.
Find the MuVo Removable Drive listing and right click on it.
Select Format. Make sure FAT is selected. Do not select FAT32 or NTFS, or errors may occur on the MuVo TX.
After the formatting is complete, make sure that you stop your player before disconnecting it from your PC (see above).
Power down the player and disconnect it from your PC. Make sure the unit is fully charged.
Use your thumb to evenly press and hold both the Volume Increase (+) and Volume Decrease (-) buttons simultaneously, and briefly tap the PLAY button.
After 2 to 3 seconds, the Format Mode appears on the LCD screen. Use the Menu Scroller to highlight "Full Format".
Press and hold (for 2 seconds) the REC button to select Full Format.
The LCD now displays :Formatting Wait for Check
After around 10 seconds the LCD instructs you to push the HOLD slider to the ON position.
Push HOLD slider to ON. This will format the player.
- Remove the battery cover.
- Partially remove the battery.
- Press and hold STOP button, and then slide the battery back into position.
- The unit should power on. When the CREATIVE logo appears on the display, release the STOP button then immediately press and release the PLAY button.
- The following options will appear on the display:
Clean Up |
Performs a disk scan on the players hard disk |
Format |
Formats the players hard disk All contents will be lost |
Reload OS |
Reloads the Operating System on the Jukebox. Do not select this option unless you have downloaded the firmware.
Reloading your OS will not effect the contents of the files stored on your Jukebox ZEN.
|
Reboot |
Reboots the device |
To format the device, select option 2: Format All.
There are two ways in which the Recovery Mode may be accessed on your Creative Jukebox 2:
- Remove the battery.
- Re-insert the battery whilst holding down the STOP button.
- When the Creative logo appears on the screen, release the STOP button.
- Immediately press and hold the PLAY button for approximately 1 second, then release it.
~ or ~
- Insert a paper clip into the Reset hole on the unit.
- Remove the paper clip from the Reset hole and hold down the STOP button.
- When the Creative logo appears on the display, release the STOP button. Immediately press and release the PLAY button.
- After using either of the above combinations, the Jukebox 2 will enter the Rescue Mode and the following options will be displayed:
- Clean Up (Performs a disk scan on the players hard disk)
- Format All (Formats the players hard disk - Note: all contents will be lost)
- Reload Firmware (Reloads the Operating System on the Jukebox. Note: Reloading your OS, will not effect the contents of the files stored on your Jukebox ZEN).
- Reboot(Reboots the device)
If you have a firmware version later than version 1.75 on your Creative Jukebox, then you may format the unit as follows:
- Ensure the Power adapter is plugged in, and power off the Jukebox
- Power on the Jukebox
- Once the screen displays the 'loading' message, hold down the EAX button, Middle Softkey and the Scroll down button until the diagnostics Menu screen appears on the display (This screen appears after the Preparing Library screen).
Select the Format option.
Alternatively if you have the original firmware (FW 1.75) on the Jukebox:
- Ensure the Power adapter is plugged in, and power off the Jukebox
- Power on the Jukebox
- Press and hold the Stop andPLAY buttons while booting the Jukebox.
- Shortly after the Jukebox splash screen disappears, the Jukebox will enter a format menu (Note: you must wait at least 5 seconds after releasing the buttons)
- Select the Format option.
Connect the player to the USB port on your PC.
Open the Digital Audio Manager program. ( The Digital Audio Manager icon appears on your desktop after you have installed the Creative Digital MP3 Players drivers and software)
Click on the Format button (see below) which is located in the top menu bar.
This will format the players memory or MMC card.
Connect the player to your PC.
When Windows detects the player, open Windows Explorer.
The player will be listed as a Removable Drive.
Right-click on the player and select Format. Make sure that the FAT file system is selected.
It is recommended to use FAT 16 to format the players memory, rather than FAT 32 as this will allow for more storage space.
- Disconnect the player from your PC.
- Remove the battery and memory card.
- Move the Lock switch to the locked position.
- Press and hold the STOP button whilst replacing the battery. The message "Backup Code" should appear on the display.
- Release the STOP button
- Move the Lock switch to the unlocked position.
- Connect the player to a computer using the USB connector.
- If you have already downloaded the updated drivers or firmware (if applicable), install the updated drivers.
- Once the updated drivers and/or firmware have been installed, replace the memory card.
- Disconnect the player from your PC.
- Remove the battery and memory card from the player.
- Move the lock switch to the locked position.
- Press and hold the STOP button while replacing the battery.
- The message "Backup Code" should appear on the display.
- Press and hold the STOP button while replacing the battery.
The message "Backup Code" should appear on the display.
- Press and hold the STOP button while replacing the battery.
The message "Backup Code" should appear on the display.
- You may now release the STOP button.
- Move the lock switch to the unlocked position.
- Connect the player to your PC using the USB connector and run the flash program again.
- Replace the memory card.
- Remove the batteries from the player.
- Press and hold the PLAY and STOP buttons simultaneously while replacing the batteries.
- The player will power on and enter the rescue mode.
- The message "USB Firmware Upgrade 1.14" will appear on the display,
where 1.14 is the current version number.
- Now release the PLAY and STOP buttons.
- Connect the player to your PC using the USB connector and run the latest firmware update,
which may be downloaded
here
\
Please note that Media Recovery will perform full format on media. Any data stored in the memory will be lost. The Media Recovery procedure can be enabled through the following procedures.
- Switch off the TravelSound MP3 player.
- Connect player to PC if it is not connected.
- Press and hold the PLAY button. Do NOT release the PLAY button yet.
- Switch on the player.
- Wait for approximately 5 seconds, then release the PLAY button.
- Close TravelSound MP3 Media Format application software if it is activated.
- Activate Travel5ound MP3 Media Format application software. Go to Start, Programs, Creative, Creative TravelSound MP3, and click on Media Recovery to perform a full format.
Last Updated: April 14th, 2009
|
 |
|
Did this information answer your question?
|
|
|
|
