Bladerunner "replicant" technology used in Creative Zen Micro

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Harrison Ford movie "Bladerunner" it's basically about a bunch of human looking androids who somehow find out that they have been built with only a certain lifespan (4 years i think) and because of this decide to kill their inventor.
What has this got to do with Zen Micros ?
Well I have been one of those users who has thought that all the RMA stories on this board were due to either bad luck or mishandling of the ZM's by the posters but my ZM has just died after EXACTLY 6 MONTHS of owning it and being treated with "kid gloves".
It hadn't been dropped and was working fine until it just stopped and started making whirring clicking noises. None of the recovery mode options would work, nor would replacing the battery fix it.
If I was a conspiracy theorist i'd think that it had been built by the Tyrell corporation (see "Bladerunner" for explanation). I'm guessing that if enough of the ZM's are returned that will probably kill Creatives reputation hands down.
Nice one creative.
On the plus side I am now getting a replacement within the warranty period, unfortunately i have to replace my silver one with a white one now due to lack of stock.
I guess it doesn't matter though as it'll probably be going back to them in exactly six months time as well - so perhaps i'll get to try out the full range of colours.

Closing this thread. I don't see anything positi've coming from conspiracy theory threads.
Glad to hear you're getting your player replaced in any case.
Cat

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Creative Zen Micro - No Space on Harddisk although deleting fi

Hi,I've been using my Creative Zen Micro for months creating mp3-playlists with the program Creative Media Source. But suddenly the program tells me there's no space left on my player-harddisk so I cannot copy more files from my pc to the player. The funny thing is: When I'm deleting via the source-window of Creative Media Source, the shown playlists disappear as well on the source-window as on the player itself. BUT: the program still tells me there's no space on my player-harddisk! The program is realizing my deleting-actions by subtract the deleted playlist from the total playlist-amount. But doesn't subtract anything from the?byte-amount on my player-harddisk. So: how can I really delete files or playlists from my player and create space for new files?As I want to create a playlist for the soon birth of my daughter, I'd appreciate quick help from you!Thanks a lot to everyone!?

There was a problem caused on at least some Sony laptops, caused by a clash with some Sony driver.
If you're running Win XP, go to Control Panel > System (or hold down the Flag key + Pause/Break), Advanced, Startup and Recovery settings, disable Automatically Restart.
Next time it bluescreens, what file is referred to?

Creative Zen Micro AND using M

Hi,
I'm a pc user at home and I am considering purchasing a Creative Zen Micro mp3 player.
I was wondering, am I able to put data files onto the mp3 player, then access them at Uni'versity where I use a Mac computer. I heard this was a Windows only product.
I want to easily plug in the USB cable to the Mac computers at Uni then access them easily without having to install any extra software so its able to read it (i.e. Plug N Play)
Thanks

thanks for the info,
BUT
what i really wanna know for 00% sure is that I can plug in my Creative Zen Micro mp3 player into a Mac WITHOUT installing ANY software and that the Mac will read the device for Data NOT music, since I only need the mac to read it so I can transfer data files from home to uni'versity
plz let me know, thanks!

Help with my Bran-New Creative Zen Micro Photo. [Questi

If you don't want to see the backing of my whole story skip to the bold print at the bottom!I also want you to know I read the FAQs and searched through some topics like this, but haven't found any asking my question.First of all, I'm new to the forum, but I've been researching Creative's Zen for a long time now. I kept observing each one closely before I purchased a product. I then saw the Zen Micro Photo come out. This one won my attention. I loved this, I quickly searched for reviews and went for the buy for Christmas. I told my dad about it and he was "iffy" on the price, but it was better then the iPod in my opinion.Christmas day came and I opened it. Right away I checked everything out I knew a lot about the menu already and all, but not really how to control it. I checked to make sure everything worked. All systems were go. After listening to the defaults (which I loved) I went to go install the software. I already had Media Player 0 and Adobe, oh and I didn't want the freakin AOL toolbar! Lol, so I installed everything else. It took forever, but I hooked it up and I installed the drivers, but as soon as I plug in the USB connector I see: "A HIGH-SPEED USB device has been plugged into a LOW SPEED USB port.After that, I switched USB ports, btu I got same message. I hit the X and then tried to charge. I got the Lightening Bolt, but no dimming of lights. I found out that this computer is not letting me install any service packs, I'm confused about that.My question:Is there anyway I can charge this mp3 player and download music onto my Zen Micro Photo without Service Pack ? Or did I just pay $250 for a really cool glowing mp3 player to be used as a paperweight? (I love this Zen and I ran the battery dead hoping that would make the charging easier).Help?
My Specifications:
My Mp3 Player: Zen Micro Photo (Black)What I tried: Switching USB ports and re-installing Service Pack Software: Not sure how to determine firmware without installing something. I'm on a XP Professional and I'm using the Creative Media Source and Creative Media Toolbox

Thank you DM for responding. I am expecting problems, but it still won't allow me to charge the Zen Micro Photo or even use the Creative Media Source. I can't upload any songs or any contacts on it. I haven't uploaded anything yet, but it's not reading the USB device. When I run Creative Zen Micro Photo Media Explorer I get this message at the top of the screen: "The device is not connected. Please connect your Zen MicroPhoto to the computer. I can't organize anything or add songs... so it just makes all the programs I downloaded useless and my Creative product unusuable.ONe thing it does do though... whenever I plug in my Zen MIcroPhoto to the USB it turns it on and glows, but only shows my battery at the top with one red line and the green lightening bolt filling the battery up.After leaving it like this for two hours the green moves, but the red bar stays the same size.

Creative Zen Micro 6GB/Problems with Power Switch and Firmw

The power switch on my Zen Micro has died. I can't turn it on or off unless I 'jump start' it from a USB cable and leave it alone to go into idle shutdown. I've had this player just three weeks and this is happened and frankly I'm disgusted. But wait, my story get's worse:
So before sending it back to Creative I thought that I should at least exhaust every possible cure. First on my list? A Firmware upgrade to v2.22.05. I downloaded the program and set about installing the new firmware but halfway through the process it hung and I had to end it prematurely. Now what I had was a ZM that apparently had v2.22.05 but was not being recognised at all by my computer. Media Explorer wasn't picking up on it and neither was WMP although strangely when I connect the device it's there in the Device Manager...
So, check back with the website and it said to download an update for Mediasource and that should solve the problem. Downloaded the patch but then realised that I hadn't installed Mediasource on my computer (can't remember why I didn't though). Went back to the downloads page and downloaded Mediasource. Tried to install it but I can't. The reason? because my computer isn't detecting the ZM and I can't install it until it recognises that it's there.
As a last resort I thought that I would try to use 'Rescue Mode'. Seemed simple enough, remove the battery and hold down the power switch. Then put the battery back in and wait for the rescue screen to come up. Seems easy enough. Oh wait, I don't have a working power switch.
What I do have though, is a small piece of plastic and metal that I can't turn on, can't turn off, can't put any songs on, can't listen to, can't fix and can't be bothered with. I have a ?60 paperweight.
Anyone at all have any idea what I should do? I just want to put it all in a box and send it back to Amazon with a request for a full refund or a threat to take them to the Small Claims Court.

Although a failed power switch is not unknown, I only recall seeing two or three other cases of this. It's not common.
If WMP isn't working with the device having v2 firmware something is wrong. Unfortunately this can be difficult to fix, but take a look here in the Zen FAQ at Nomadness.net.
MediaSource won't detect the player if there's some issue e.g. WMP0 not detecting it. You can of course also try installing Zen Micro Media Explorer (Creative Zen Micro Media Explorer Web Update to be specific) which has MTP support.
Are you are presumably under guarantee, and as you bought from an Internet store, it's best to return it direct to Creative. Contact Creative Support to arrange this.

Having big problems with Creative Zen Micro Photo!! I need much urgent help!

Hi. I am having a big problem with my MP3 Creative Zen Micro Photo device at the computer.Here is the thing:Before I bought this I had the regular Zen Micro & having fun with it. I had no problems with that when I used the Media Explorer to transfer songs. So I bought the Zen Micro Photo & installed it my computer. As normal I used the Media Explorer to transfer songs & pictures.So I reinstalled Windows XP at my computer, and when I installed the CD that followed to transfer new songs, the Windows said that it's an unknown thing I have connected in the USB.So I installed Service Pack & 2. I have tried to install drivers from the cd but it seems that there are no drivers on the cd! The big problem is that when I connect the MP3 to the computer, it doesn't read it's a Zen Micro, it's just unknown! So the Zen Micro Photo Media Explorer program doesn't work & I can't transfer songs or picture on it! And it just happened after I re-installed Windows on my computer. The same thing happened on my brother's computer after he re-installed windows. And when I connect the MP3 to the USB, it says that it's not a USB 2.0, but .! And I am sure it is 2.0 because it has always been like that before I re-installed windows. Also the MP3 does not re-charge when I put it my computer! The battery is just the same, it tries to do it but it doesn't. So I am using my sisters computer to charge the MP3 & transfer songs. I have tried everything but I can't seem to understand what the problem is? I have never experienced something like this before, and I really hope you can help me with this! To be honest I think what I am missing is the driver. So can someone PLEASE provide me the link for the driver? I have downloaded all those 3 on www.creative.com, but they are none of them! Also that playforsure firmawre thingy does not work because it sais that I have to connect my MP3, and it is connected already!Please reply as quick as possible! Thanks a lot for you kind help!
I have also sent this mail to creative support! But please help me I have had this problem for almost 2 months now! =(Message Edited by anakwalajinn on 05-0-2006 08:47 PM

Might try this:? http://forums.creative.com/creativel...mp=true#M95059

Mp3 Player not detected in Vista ,I need drivers for Creative Zen Micro in Windows Vista 32-b

Hi ,?Im trying to install my Creative Zen Micro in windows Vista , But A Compatibility Problem appear and i can't install it .Windows Show me that a new hardware is found? and what i have to do , i Install it with the CD , but The installation can't be successful and a message saying me i have to contact Creative Support for the dirvers appear and the installation can't be completed. I've tryied to contact creative suport , but they don't find solution . I've searched the drivers but they wasn't found in creative site web . If anybody Have a solution for install my zen micro or can help me , please ... I have to buy another Mp3 Player ? This have a solution ?Thanks ,i hope that you can help me. Regards

I updated my Firmware as stated by Creative Labs support team. I downloaded on my son's PC which has Window's XP Pro edition. Again, on his PC there is no problem with recognition of the device and/or player. However, when I plug my player into my PC which has Vista, the device manager has a "!" next to ZEN Micro Photo. So my PC "See's" the player. However, when you right click and then go to "Properties" it states that "The drivers for this device are not installed (code 28)" Then it states to "reinstall the drivers" But when I tried to install or reinstall the "Driver" using the install wizard, I get an error message... "An error occurred during the installation of the device" and " A service installation section in this INF is invalid" Then a pop bubble appears and says "Found new hardware" You may have a problem with your device. It may not be working properly" So what do I do at this point. The only way for me currently to download music is to use my son's PC. At least I have another option... I feel sorry for the rest of you. When will creative wake up and smell the Vista!!

Creative Zen Micro: Headphone Ja

Hi! I was thinking of getting a Creative Zen Micro for my fiancee this Christmas, but the problem I keep reading about in reviews is how the headphone jack keeps messing up. It's a shame since we're both anti-iPods and were thinking of better alternati'ves to use. Does anyone know if this problem has been fixed for the newer Zen Micros? If so, is there any way to tell if a Zen Micro is of the newer fixed version, or the old? I really wouldn't want to get her something that breaks two months down the road, but if it wasn't for this problem the Zens are looking pretty slick.

Well, if it were for myself I wouldn't mind taking a risk, but it's not.. and for over $200 I'd rather get her a product that works, even if I have to pay a little more for it. :/ Does anyone know for sure? I've heard a lot of rumors that it has been fixed, with nothing to confirm it but people hoping their 3rd Micro replacement won't fizzle out, but I figure I might get a real answer by posting on the Creative forum.

CREATIVE ZEN MICRO and WINDOWS VI

I hope this question has not been repeated.
I have a Creative Zen Micro and have attempted to install it on my current computer that uses Windows Vista 32-bit. However, it was unable to install or find the driver necessary.
I've already looked at the 'driver release plans'?for this product and there is only a page regarding 'Nati've Support', which says 'The MP3 products ZEN Micro, ... require the latest firmware to ensure Nati've Support in Window Vista'.
I've searched for firmware for the Zen Micro on a Windows Vista 32-bit in English, and found nothing.
How can I make this product work with my Windows Vista 32-bit computer ?
Thank you !!!

Robby & Lizzy
First of all for a little background information, the problem lies in a problem between Creative's firmware installation program and Windows Media Player . WMP is standard in Windows Vista. As a matter of historical information, Creative has not developed any drivers for Windows Vista, therein the rub; Windows Vista does support the Microsoft PlaysForSure initiati've, and many of the older players like the Micro series does have PlaysForSure firmware available to enable the player to be used in Windows Vista.
Now for an outline of the necessary ste
ps.
Back up all of the content on your Micro. The firmware that you will install includes a disk format that will erase all of the content and change the way that the disk dri've on the Micro is formatted.
You'll need to find a Windows XP system that does not have Windows Media Player installed. You or the owner of the system should also be knowledgeable in the use of Windows XP System Restore feature so that you can return the system to it's previous state after you are finished with it.
Create a Restore Point on the XP system. Download and install the drivers for your Zen Micro to the XP system. This will enable the player to be recognized by the computer.
Download the PlaysForSure driver for the Micro, V2.2.02, to the desktop of the XP system.
Connect the player to the system with a USB cable and execute the program.
When the firmware installation has completed, the player will reboot. You may disconnect the player. After you have confimed that the firmware revision is correct on the Micro, do a System Restore to put that system back in the condition that you found it.
Connect the Micro to your Vista system and it should recognize the player and install the nati've Windows PlaysForSure driver and pair it with your Micro.
RobbyBobson wrote:
Would it be possible for someone to post a step by step guide that helps me understand what exactly I have to do to get my Zen working. Help would be much appreciated.

Creative Zen Micro Photo Problem (Detecti

BEFORE I CONTINUE, REFERRING TO THE KNOWLEDGE BASE DOES NOT WORK FOR ME, I TRIED THE STEPS BUT THEY SIMPLY DON'T WORK.
HERE IS THE PROBLEM:
YESTERDAY, I RECEIVED MY ZEN MICRO PHOTO BLACK 8GB in the mail, and was able to get the charging started through my computer after installing the required software (mediasource, media player, wmp 9.5 codec, etc). Before I started the charging, I connected my player's USB cable to the back of my pc. Windows XP w/SP2 prompts that it 'found new hardware.' I go ahead and check in my computer if the player would be able to be accessed. I also confirmed with Creative's mediasource software, and it claims that 'no player was detected.' I did the same in windows media player 0, and says that no hardware was detected. I confirmed to make sure that the USB cable was properly connected, and it was. I tried all the ports and tried other devices through them, and they were able to be successfully detected and used, (i.e; web cam). I don't understand why my creative zen micro photo would not be detected by the software included. Windows is requiring me to install some sought of driver for the player, but I already installed all the required utilities and codecs. I believe it is charging and is detected by windows but not as a removable storage, etc, just 'FOUND NEW HARDWARE', and then no drivers found even through the CD creative provided me. I am also fearing that the battery is taking a long time to charge. This morning I saw that the player was on, but was still charging(I assume). I decided to charge while the player was turned off. Hopefully, now it will be fully charged while the player remains off. I will check when I get home. In the mean time, would some one please assist and respond to me for resolving this situation ASAP for the detection of the player. Thank you very much, Arjun (please do not further me to the knowledge base site as I have already tried all the steps, and no improvement what so what in successfully operating this player. Thank you. Just to add on, I also attempted for a firmware update, and the utility said it was not able to detect the player either, so I wasn't able to even complete a firmware update. Please assist me, URGENT. Thank you.

I sadly am very unhappy with the ZEN Microphoto 8. I was planning on leaving on a trip in the morning and found that suddenly my laptop no longer will recognize my device. I hasve been using the device for several months now with no problems at all, unitl this afternoon. It went into recovery mode and no matter what I tried I could not get it out.
I was finally able to unlock the unit by connecting the unit to my desktop. I was then able to install the firmware update. But now the unit will not work on my laptop at all. All of my media is on my laptop. I have tried several cables to no avail. I am sure that someone is going to mention the suggestion that the device not be used on a laptop, however I find it frustrating that after so much time the unit suddenly does not operate. I tried all of the suggestions in the support section. And it seems truly sad that this might just be due to the cinnection to athe laptop, considering the number of people that now use these as their primary PCs.
If any suggestions can be provided as to the cause of this problem I would love to get it fixed.
Eric

Creative Zen Micro 5GB: Freezing on transfers & during playback (Please He

Ok, Here is a problem I am having.
My Zen is freezing no matter what program i use to place music on it.
The transfer will begin and rarely get or 2 songs on but more often it will reach about 30% on the first song, freeze and remain here till i unplug it and go into recovery mode by taking the battery out.
THINGS I HAVE TRIED:
*Changing the firmware (at least 0 times for each firmware available on this site)
*Formatting & Defragging (Don't even get me started how many times)
*Using different software (WMP0, Creative Sync and Every other one included with Creative Zen Micro Explorer)
*Upgrading software
Now i am a qualified electronic repairer and i have dismantled my zen and a friends (whom dropped it and bought a new one) i have from here changed the hard dri've thinking this may be the source of the problem (yes i am aware the warranty is void now but when i placed the battery in the first time i got it the sticker broke) This has done nothing so i have placed the original HD back in.
I have NO idea what to do now!
I can not afford a new mp3 player, have no warranty YET i do have the ability to repair this by myself.
If anyone has ANY suggestions whatsoever i am willing to try them, of course still sensible.
Please PLEASE PLEASE! help me out. i will be gratefully for any help i can get.
-Norb

/being venting
Why does Creative make it so easy to Reload the firmware, and why do soo many people choose this option!?!?!?
/end venting
pdk, your task now is to get your computer to recognize your player. I have a feeling that you are using a v2 firmware. Do you see the words MTP Device anywhere when you connect the player to your computer? If so then follow the steps listed <a href='http://www.nomadness.net/modules.php?name=FAQ&myfaq=yes&id_cat=8&categories =Nomad+Jukebox+Zen#228' target=_blank>here[/url]. Then use the firmware provided on your CD and see if it can recognize your player. You might have problems since you choose the Reload firmare option in Recovery Mode.

From ipod or itunes to creative zen micro f

dear friends
i have bought a new creative zen micro photo mp3 player.
until i used a ipod mini with the software itunes.
now i want to pose the following queation
is it possible, to get all the mp3's, which i have in my itunes library, to my new zen micro mp3-player?

. If you have ripped the songs yourself in AAC-format: get the LAME-plugin for iTunes and rerip the music files in 92 or 256 MP3. Then you can just drag and drop the files from your iTunes Music-folder on to your player (if you have the new firmware installed?). Throw away your AAc-music files - you no longer need them.
2. If you bought music in the iTunes Music Store: you create (maximum) 80 minutes long playlists and then burn them on to CD-Rs. Rip the CDs and proceed as above.
3. If you acquired the music files in an - let?s blurt it out - illegal way, either do the right thing and throw the music files away right away, or buy the CDs and throw the illegal files, when you have ripped the CD in question. Then proceed as . above.
Creatives answer to iTunes is MediaSource, a mediocre piece of software to beware of. Either buy Red Hats excellent sofware, or use the drag-and-drop method. Or use WinAMP with the Zen Plugin (there still is one, right?).

Uploading music tracks from Creative Zen Micro to

Is it possible to upload all my tracks from my Creative Zen Micro to my new PC? I had them all saved on my old one and can't seem to find on any support anywhere how to do this. I don't fancy ripping all my CDS all over again!



Hi,
You could transfer the music content of your Zen Micro to your Zen V Plus without transferring it to the PC first. Do the following steps:
. Connect one player at a time in your PC (XP O/S) and make sure that both of the player is detected.
2. If Windows have detected it, click on the option Open to View Files.
3. Open up the Music folder of both players.
4. From there, copy and paste whatever music tracks you would like to transfer from Zen Micro to Zen V Plus.
It's a good idea to have a back up of all your data and you could use a USB Flash dri've to store it all.
Hope this hel
ps.

Creative zen micro software d

yeah my creative zen micro came with the disk to install the thing onto the computer but its cracked and will not work. What should i do know how do i put songs onto it without having it installed on my computer, and can i get a new disk from creative? also a buddy of mine has a creative zen touch and if i used that disk and put it on my computer would it work with the zen micro? Thanks.

All the files you need that were on the disk can be found at http://www.nomadworld.com/downloads/drivers/

Problems with Creative zen Micro Pho

Hello.
Today my creative zen Micro Photo came.
Eeverything works, the software, the player, but i cant put files on it. Hes loading the battery if i take the player on my USB.
But the software (Zen Micro Photo Media Explorer) doesnt recognice the player, so what shall i do?
sorry for my mad englisch, im from germany

Have you tried going into Device Manager and updating the driver for the Micro? You don't actually have to install a driver update, you can just elect to use the driver that is already installed, and Windows will attempt to refresh the pairing between the installed driver and your specific player.

Bladerunner "replicant" technology used in Creative Zen Micro

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