Creative ZEN Firmware 1.21.03 Released

Hi Everyone,
There is a new firmware update for the Creative ZEN available in the Support section.
Creative ZEN Firmware .2.03
Filesize : 7.6 MB
Release date : 9 Jan 09
File Name : ZEN_PCFW_L22__2_03.exe
This download contains an improved version of the firmware found on your Creative ZEN® player. It ensures smooth operation of your player's FM Radio. For more details, read the rest of this web release note.
Fix:
Ensures smooth operation of your player's FM Radio.
Requirements:
Microsoft® Windows Vista®, Windows® XP (Service Pack 2)
Windows Media® Player 0 or later
USB port
Creative ZEN player
Note:
To install this firmware
Download the ZEN_PCFW_L22__2_03.exe file into your local hard disk.
Close all application windows that are currently running on your computer.
Connect your player to your computer.
Double-click the downloaded file and follow the instructions on the screen.
If your player fails to restart after the firmware upgrade:
Turn off your player.
Disconnect your player from your computer.
Press and hold the Play/Pause button. Continue to hold the button while you perform steps 4 and 5. If you accidentally release the button, start the procedure again.
Gently push a straightened paper clip into the Reset hole.
Slide the On/Off switch towards the USB port and hold until the display lights up. The Recovery Mode screen appears with four options: Clean Up, Format All, Reload Firmware, and Reboot.
Select Reload Firmware, followed by Yes.
Connect your player to your computer.
Double-click the downloaded file and follow the instructions on the screen.

Re: New Creative ZEN Firmware .2.03" firmware does not work$ I updated my Zen 32GB using Vista x64 so it can work under some situations. Can't say my upgrade went problem-free but it did work in the end.
You might try some of the following (no promises they will help, but can't really hurt):
Re-download the firmware updater. Maybe you got a bad download.
Make sure your Zen is directly connected to a system USB port (i.e. not to a port on a monitor, keyboard, ext USB hub, etc.)
Try running the firmware update as Administrator if you aren't already
Try uninstalling the Creative drivers before the update.
In my case I got stuck on a message that another application was using my Zen. Turned out the simple act of hooking up the player resulted in Vista running a headless "wmplayer.exe *32" process. I had to manually kill it from TaskManager in order to proceed. Even then the first update attempt ended with the Zen reporting a firmware problem and rebooting into the Recovery Menu. I had to use Reload Firmware to erase what it had and then try again. Second time was the charm.
After all that I can't for the life of me see any changes/improvements in the new firmware. The forum is full of gripes and wishlists yet none of them complain about the radio functionality. I've used it almost every day for year without issue (aside from the rare Zen hang/crash when messing with the headphone jack and/or sliding the power switch). Thank goodness after waiting 0- months since the last update they got around to fixing something nobody noticed was broken. /2?:smileyvery-happy:

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