Creative Nomad Zen Xtra headphone jack question.

Im pretty sure I'm gonna get this puppy. Either the 40 or 60 gig. I know all about the headphone jack issue and Im going to make sure and get one of those service plans when I buy the unit. I do have a couple questions though which I would appreciate anyone helping me out with....
) the new reinforced, "fixed" headphone jack units are supposedly shipped in clear, heat sealed packages. what did the old package for the units look like? Where they just card board or something?
2) if I get the unit and open it up, how can I tell if it has the reinforcement and doesn't need the "heated glue" fix upfront? What exactly does the new reinforcement piece look like?
3) I have a small hard dri've on my computer. Should I back up my mp3's on an external hard dri've via a usb 2.0 connection or can I just burn like 60 cdrs containing my entire mp3 connection? Will either work with re to transferring them to the unit's
Thanks in advance
R

. I think it was a partly clear, partly cardboard box. It wasn't heat sealed though. Also the new one ships with a case that has a cut-out window, so it should be fairly obvious.
2. It's difficult to tell, but there are posts about it on the forums at Nomadness.net. Again, if it ships in the the heat sealed package I would relax.
3. Either will work, but obviously CDs are going to be slower to restore to the player. Depends how much money you want to spend on a backup solution. Obviously a hard dri've is the "Rolls Royce" solution, DVD-Rs/CD-Rs less so.

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Nomad Zen 20g - Headphone jack isn't work

Does anyone know where and/or how I could get the headphone jack on my Zen fixed? I love the player but need to keep jiggling the headphone jack to hear the music. Thanks!

Unfortunately this is a design flaw on many of the older model ZEN jukebox players. The contacts on the circuit board where the headphone jack connects come loose and cause the headphone jack to separate from the board. The only way to fix it is with a careful re-solder job, that is, if you don't want to send it back to Creative for an expensive repair job.
Here's a really good step-by-step article complete with pictures showing how to reaffix the headphone port to the board:
http://www.pcpages.com/thebishop/nomadfix/

Zen Xtra headphone jack quick

Hi there. I was dismayed and relieved that so many other people were experiencing the exact same headphone problem I was. I checked around and found that I could either wait an absurdly long time to get Creative to fix the problem (My player was no longer under warranty) or try and do it myself. One post suggested opening the player and doing some soldering (At your own risk - not recommended) but I found a quick and inexpensi've (Free actually) quick fix. All you need is a ball point pen and some scissors (Go ahead with the McGuyver jokes).
. Open the unit to get to the battery.
2. On the top right of the unit is a small opening. It is located directly over the headphone jack.
3. Take the ball point pen and open it. The part you will need is the plastic tube where the ink is stored. Cut off a piece with the scissors to fit in the hole over the headphone jack. I found that this fix works best if the tube is the same length as the hole.
4. Replace the faceplate. You may need to use a little pressure to get the plate to slide in and lock so be careful not to bend it.
Well. There it is. I plugged my headphones in and the unit worked fine. Apparently Creative neglected to think about the fact that this is a 'mobile' unit and put in a crappy jack. A shame considering the Zen (In my humble opinion) is just as good as the iPod. Anyway, hope this fix works for a few of you out there and saves you some $$$ and time.

I was using this to fix the jack. I was having the same problem as everyone else regarding the loss of stereo sound. One (Or possibly more) of the connections had come loose from the circuit board. As opposed to soldering any connections (And possibly damaging the unit further) I opted for this fix. The tube is relati'vely sturdy and won't likely compress over time so I think this will work. If nothing else this will do until I decide to get another mp3 player.

Zen Xtra Headphone Jack is JACK

I am yet another victim of the headphone-jack issue. Just found out at the start of my 2 week business trip to New Orleans. **bleep**.
It's over the one year mark - lets see what the e-mail trail turns up...
Has anyone paid for the repairs? If so, how much & who did it's

Headphone jacks also break on ipods.
http://broken.typepad.com/b/2004/03/apples_ipod_rep.html
http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2003Aug/bpd200308250246.htm
http://jasonnolan.net/words/archi'ves/2004/0/fixed_my_ipod.html

Nomad Zen Xtra prob

Well, I just emailed support again but overlooked the (faster?) forums until now. Maybe someone can help me out... ------- EMAIL SENT -------- Hi, I emailed the customer support a while ago and got a generic reply as how to reset my mp3 player's OS. *This is not a software problem, it is a hardware problem... I want to send my Nomad Zen Xtra in to Creative to get it fixed and I will pay for the repairs.* Here is an original copy of the message: Hello, about a year ago I purchased my Creative Nomad Zen Xtra. Only a couple months into using it, I dropped the MP3 player on the headphone jack where my headphones were plugged in and the sound stopped working correctly. I think maybe that the soldering that is keeping the headphone jack on the circuit board is messed up or disconnected. Some sound does come out of one earphone when I wiggle the plug around a bit. How much do you think this would cost me? The player is no longer under its one year warranty, either. Thanks in advance. - Steve ----- Originally answered by Technical Support, Creative Labs Americas ----- Thanks, Steve-oMessage Edited by Jeremy-CL on 0-2-2005 0:08 AM

I?ve posted it before, but here we go again:
Two or three months after buying my 40GB zen xtra, the same thing happened to me. I deduced it was a battery problem and prepared myself to expand U$29 on a new one (I li've in Rio and it would be impossible for me to send it back for warranty). While I was looking for the new battery, I kept using it in my job and at home, with the power cord hooked up. I did it some times and one day, without any apearent reason, it started to charge the battery and ever since it never happened again. I friend of mine mentioned that these Li-Ion batteries can have this kind of problem. By that time, he suggested some charging manouveres to recover it but it was no needed. What I suggest you is to keep trying to charge it. You may be as lucky as me!

Creative MediaSource will not recognize Nomad Zen Xtra 30BG

Creative MediaSource will not recognize Nomad Zen Xtra 30BG? Hello, I am new to this forum and very frustrated, I own?a 30Bg Zen Xtra and all of a sudden MediaSource will not allow the transfer of files. Here are my specs and things I've tried to no avail:
Firmware: .20.08 (is this the latest upgrade?)
Software: 2.02.06
O/S: Win XP, SP2
Windows Media Player
Checking device manage it is recognized as a portable device, however it is not detected in WMP . Changed my USB permissions in the registry, downgraded WMP to version 0 (rebooted when prompted), upgraded the application software (uninstalled version 2.02.06?and rebooted?) upgraded?to version 5.20.23 as well installed the plug in, version 5.0.38, which now gives me and error while installing " setup is unable to detect?a supported product on your system, click retry....." tried the different USB ports on the pc as well as changing the cables. I do not know what else to do...any assistance will be greatly appreciated..thanks in advance.

DreadRasta40 wrote:
Creative MediaSource will not recognize Nomad Zen Xtra 30BG? Hello, I am new to this forum and very frustrated, I own?a 30Bg Zen Xtra and all of a sudden MediaSource will not allow the transfer of files. Here are my specs and things I've tried to no avail:
Firmware: .20.08 (is this the latest upgrade?)
Software: 2.02.06
O/S: Win XP, SP2
Windows Media Player
Checking device manage it is recognized as a portable device, however it is not detected in WMP . Changed my USB permissions in the registry, downgraded WMP to version 0 (rebooted when prompted), upgraded the application software (uninstalled version 2.02.06?and rebooted?) upgraded?to version 5.20.23 as well installed the plug in, version 5.0.38, which now gives me and error while installing " setup is unable to detect?a supported product on your system, click retry....." tried the different USB ports on the pc as well as changing the cables. I do not know what else to do...any assistance will be greatly appreciated..thanks in advance.
Do you have the driver installed for the device?You can find that here.http://support.creative.com/download...ale=033&nPage= WMP is for MTP devices which the Xtra is not, There is a firmware update for the device HOWEVER updating to that firmware may just kill the player so I would not advise doing it since you have XP & you will be able to sync using MediaSource. Did you install the Creative Zen & Nomad Jukebox plug-in 5.00.22? Click on Show Details & read them before installing anything.

The Back Panel of the Creative Nomad Zen X

Is it safe to take out the two screws and remove the back panel of the nomad zen xtra? Besides voiding the warranty. follow-up question, would it be safe to spray paint the removable front panel and the back panel? Follow-up to the follow-up queston, what do you think about Gun-metal Black?

well, the back part shouldend have any bad effects if you spray it. Except your warrenty.
The front will not void your warrenty if you paint it. I painted mine.
Hopefully they will release custom face-plates. i'm starting to get annoyed at the lack of extras for there mp3 players. and of course the one i want (FM remote) isnt available for the Zen Xtra.. for some stupid reason. Why would they add the feature then remove it, then add it again to a later model?
Ugh.
Please Creative. Custom Face-Plates. You did it for the Jukebox3 and the Muvos.

Windows XP driver problem - Nomad Zen Xtra and Zen To

I have both a Nomad Zen Xtra 60GB and a Zen Touch 20GB, both of which were working fine with my Windows XP Pro SP2 computer until a couple of days ago. I had recently put firmware 2.0.03 onto the Zen Xtra, and was using the drag-and-drop method in Windows Explorer to copy loads of albums across to it from my music folder. It seems I might have tried to copy too much over at one go, because eventually the file copying just stopped, and I had to unplug the Zen Xtra from the PC to abandon the copy process. Since then, neither Zen device has been properly recognised by any of my PCs. When I plug the Zen Xtra into?a USB port, Windows brings up the messages: "Found new hardware: Nomad Jukebox Zen Xtra" and "Found new hardware: MTP device", then brings up the Found New Hardware Wizard, even though firmware 2.0.03 is supposed to provide "seamless support with any computer running Microsoft? Windows Media? Player 0 and Windows? XP - no drivers or software needed" (I have WMP0.00.00.4036 installed). The Zen Xtra's display does not show the "docked" icon except when plugged into my laptop (running XP Home Edition)... but even on the laptop Windows still asks for a driver, which it then fails to install properly. When I plug my Zen Touch into my PC, it detects that an MTP device has been connected, but Windows Media Player doesn't list it under the Sync tab, and when I try to install the "Creative Software Suite for PlaysForSure-enabled Creative Zen Touch Players", the installer complains that "Setup could not detect any portable device on your system... please ensure that Zen Touch PlaysForSure Firmware is properly installed". The device's firmware version is 2..0, and as I have already said, both this and the Zen Xtra were working fine with my PC up until a couple of days ago. Additionally, the "docked" icon?no longer appears?on the Zen Touch's display when plugged into the PC. I have made the registry change suggested in Creative Knowledge Base Solution ID #9287, and my PC is up-to-date with Windows Hotfixes. I've also tried uninstalling all Creative programs and reinstalling them one at a time, but I can not get my PC to correctly work with the Zen devices anymore. Any suggestions? Also, is there some kind of Factory Reset that I can do to get my Zen Xtra back to an earlier firmware?

I had the same issue. My battery ran down during a sync, then I was unable to sync again.
The Zen is showing up fine in the device manager, but none of the software (Media Player, MediaSource) sees it.
Finally, after a day of trying new drivers, running cleanup, etc. I decided to go into the Zen's recovery menu. To get there, press and hold the Play button and press and hold the reset (use a paperclip) button while powering up.
Once there, select the first option in the menu to Clean up the system. I forgot what it's called and I'm in the middle of a sync now, so can't look.
Worked fine after that. Phew!
If your device is being detected fine, but cannot sync, try that and post here if it fixes it.
Tooner
evokefrank.googlepages.com

NOMAD ZEN XTRA 30GB & WINDOWS VISTA & D/L SOFTWARE ISS

I was hoping someone can please help me out here in Forum Land ?I just bought a new computer with WINDOWS VISTA and my Installation disk is not compatible. I have tried d/l from this site with no luck. It will go to the WIZARD part but won't finish the installation. I need to get the Software on my new puter for my NOMAD ZEN XTRA 30GB MP3 Player.Namely I guess the Creative MediaSource and it's amazing Organizer.Any links or steps in how too would be most appreciated I have emailed the Creative team but I keep get stuck at what to do next. They said something about installing and completing the firmware update, your player will be using the PlaysForSure software, but on the same sentence he/she says "However you will need to do this on an XP system".. and I have Vista so I am totally confused. I also checked out the site he/she suggested about installing this FirmWare and that site says "Back up all audio, video, image or data files stored in the player to a secure location before changing the firmware. All contents in the player will be lost when you install a new firmware"? -- How can I back up when I can't access it's And surely, I don't want to lose my over 2,500 songs ! Yikes... This was under Solution ID # 4789?I am hoping I can get your help out there as I dearly love my MP3 player and want to continue importing songs ?thank you in advance for any advice you can offer me ?cheers Lisa

Hey Lissa,Did you find any solution in your problem because i have the same problem and i dont know what to do.Plz let me know if u downloaded any thing in your Vista Computer. Thanks alotSuzy

Nomad Zen Xtra using Windows 98 (Not 98

Good day,
I thought I'd share this information since I couldn't find anything about it during the past few weeks when I was looking.
I decided to leap into the MP3 world and after much research concluded the Jukebox 3 was the player for me, only to find out it was no longer manufactured! So I continued my hunt and decided on a Nomad Zen Xtra 30GB unit.
The only problem is it says it needs Windows 98SE and I unfortunately am still running 98 (laugh if you must). So when I got the unit I thought I might as well try and see if it works before going through all the hassle of upgrading an operating system.
It works! I was able to install the CD and update the new drivers, firmware and Nomad Explorer files off of Creative Downloads. The only thing that does not work is Creative MediaSource/Organizer software. This isn't too big a deal from what I can see as it is the MP3 ripper. I downloaded a freeware program called CDex (which is great by the way) and I rip all my CD's using this then use NOMAD Explorer to load it on the dri've. FYI, I also had to download the latest Adaptec APSI driver as well so CDex would work.
Nomad Explorer can also set-up the playlists although I understand it is somewhat easier using the Creative software. I am not sure if I am missing any other big features but it seems to be doing everything I want of it and I love it.
Anyhow, I'm about 8GB into it and all is working very well and I am happy that I didn't have to spend hours on a operating system upgrade.
Hope this helps someone!Paul

I have a Zen Xtra 40GB and I'm using Windows 98SE and I have not been able to get things to work. I tried using the installation disk and it could not complete the install....it would hang up at the point where the drivers were being loaded. After some playing around I got the drivers installed, but Nomad Explorer did not see that the MP3 player was connected. I also tried MediaSource (it loaded on just fine) and it recognized the player, but would crash when the program tried to "read" from the player. I plan to return the player and get my money back.

Cannot completely uninstall Nomad Zen Xtra softw

I needed to uninstall the software that came with the nomad zen xtra 40GiG player. So i first uninstalled the software and then the drivers, however in my computer it still displayed the adapter to the player as a dri've. Now mind me I wouldnt care much but now whenever I plug in any usb device my computer cannot detect it because the current slot is taken.
So I installed advance uninstalled pro 2004 and looked arround yet there was no trace of the driver, software or anything even related to creative. So I did the next step, I used Registery Mechanic and found some broken registrys which I promptley deleted, but now on loadup I still have that dri've, the only diffrence is the nomad icon does not appear there anymore, its replaced by the default icon that any file recieves when it cannot be linked to a software.
How can I remove it's
any Ideas?
Using Windows XP SP2
with USB 2.0
Thank you for your time

Use Driver Cleaner Pro http://www.drivercleaner.net/ free ware that cleans out drivers,.sys.ini,inf and registry settings.
It cleans completely and does not dump to the recycle bin so use caution,I use JV6 which I find not only better at cleaning but much safer than System Mechanic(in fi've years of use It has never hosed my system) you can find the last free version(full function-no time limit) @ http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=jv6 or the new pay version @ http://www.jv6.org/
Many functions to clean,including full scan and search by software(I would try this method)
If you have a Creative Sound card SB Li've or Audigy they include a driver clean up utility CTZAPXX.exe look for it in the C:\Program Files|Creative\Program folder or on your Install disc,it may be available here on Creative Support site or a google search will return many hits.
If you can't find it P.M. me and i will e-mail or post it up on a web site for you.
Just one more caution on working in your registry,always a good idea to back up the registry or set a "restore point" prior to altering the registry,if your not comfortable doing these things stop and ask some one for assistance
Good luck and report back any success
~Trey~Message Edited by Trey69 on 05-4-2005 04:59 AM

Zen micro headphone jack fix for fr

i read somewhere in the forums that Creative can fix the headphone jack problem for free?
Do you need a warranty for them to do it for you? And are all the songs on the player deleted when they fix it's
I would try and fix my Zen Micro headphone jack myself, but I'm afraid I might do something wrong.

i recently got my micro replaced at best buy after it had the headphone jack issue, and my new one is having the same problem. I'm pretty sure best buy gyped me though because they gave me a micro that was sitting out on a table like it was used or something. Since this was within the last 3 months am i able to mail my micro in to creative to get one of the new, hopefully fixed, ones for free? It's soooo frustrating because i love the micro but the stupid head phone jack just makes me want to strangle it.

Zen micro headphone jack cheap

I started having intermittant problems with the zen micro headphone jack that has been well described. I found that if I held the headphone plug in a certain position that both channels worked well. I took a standard size staple and placed one prong of the staple in the thin space between the headphone jack and the body of the micro in a location where the headphone jack would be forced into the position where both stereo channels worked. I then broke the prong off by bending the staple back and forth and then pushed the sharp edge down with the end of a ballpoint pen. This made the headphone jack fit very snugly in the position where both channels worked when I plugged the headphone in. It solved the problem completely and is significantly cheaper than the $40.00 creative would want to fix the problem.

You could easily take it out with a pin or using another staple to catch the bottom of it. It really doesn' go in very far. Certainly would take it out if if can't fix the problem before sending it in. Its amazing that the staple diameter is exactly the size needed to keep the microphone jack tight in the case.

Zen micro headphone jack quick free

I started having intermittant problems with the zen micro headphone jack that has been well described. I found that if I held the headphone plug in a certain position that both channels worked well. I took a standard size staple and placed one prong of the staple in the thin space between the headphone jack and the body of the micro in a location where the headphone jack would be forced into the position where both stereo channels worked. I then broke the prong off by bending the staple back and forth and then pushed the sharp edge down with the end of a ballpoint pen. This made the headphone jack fit very snugly in the position where both channels worked when I plugged the headphone in. It solved the problem completely and is significantly cheaper than the $40.00 creative would want to fix the problem

:smileyvery-happy:That's pretty smart.

Nomad Zen Xtra wont boot up

my Nomad Zen Xtra wont boot up. It starts up, gets to the EAX screen, and then just hangs. I've tried the reset button, but it always just hangs at the EAX start up screen. I dont want to lose all my music files.any ideas?

I have resolved ALL of my problems. What a nightmare!
I think this is what I did (but my recollection is poor since I tried so many things).
Install Windows Media Player v and all updates. However, the WMP is crap as an organizer and full of software bugs, so don't waste time trying to organize your Nomad. Windows Media Player is hopeless. WMP also mucks up many filenames on your computer by "intelligently" renaming them! What a disaster!
I then downloaded and installed [color="#ff0000"]Creative MediaSource 5. Nothing else works. Remove all previous versions. Do not install Nomad Explorer of any kind, it will install bad drivers and still continues to report?that your Nomad is not connected, even though it is. Make sure it is off your computer and don't install any new version.
My Nomad is version 2.0.03, using an old 60Gb laptop dri've.
Media Source 5 recognizes the Nomad and allows you to sync files fine. However, before connecting to the Nomad make sure you configure your default music library etc. to stop it scouring your computer for music files. And backup your library first of all.
Using MediaSource 5 is slightly different than before. It is difficult to figure in which direction things are synchronizing, but apart from that it should work for you. I'm just glad to be able to use the Nomad again.
Use Nero to rip, not MediaSource.
I hope this hel
ps.
Ian

Creative Nomad Zen Xtra headphone jack question.

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