Full revision list of the Zen Micro's firmware?

/ I've been digging up various firmwares, and I'll be honest and say that because I use an AC Adaptor that 2.2.02 and ..0 are not in my best interests. While I have no tested whether .02.05 retains charge over time I will probably do so tomorrow. I'd like to know the full history of the device so I know where to stand on this. I like to have the 4 hour standby, but not the 'shorter' charge span simply because all Creative did was drop the peak voltage from 4.9V (Li-Po can take up to 4.235V) to 4.2V. Granted the slope of the charging curve gets very flat at that level, but I do feel that it is best to inform geeks so they know what to expect.
Version (Recovery Mode version)
..0 (0.0.65)
2.2.02 (0.0.65)
.0.02 (0.0.63) (Pulled off due to complaints)
.02.05 (0.0.58)
2.00.2 (Cannot be installed)
I know I missed a few, but because the Zen Micro is past its life cycle I doubt there will be any customizations to the device.

what problems?
Spending time on a support forum like this, that covers the full gamut of the customer base, you are going to see probably 80% of the posts from folks having problems ranging from minor pilot error to real hardware failure. The 20% with tips, kudos etc are all in the minority and will not be very visible.
Creative has probably sold over 5 million Micro's since inception. There are definitely going to be problems with that many units in the general population. And some of the problems have been real issues such as the battery drain and the issue of headphone jacks. The latest firmware v . has fixed the battery problem, and on the 3 Micros in our household we are all seeing over hours playback time, excellent battery hold time, good charging characteristics etc etc. The headphone jack issue seems to have become a lot less of a topic the past month or so. Noting that Creative sold probably about .5 million of the earliest Micros, and these were the units that seemed to have headphone jacks go bad, if at all, all the later products may have enough of a redesign that the jacks are OK. Certainly we are fine over here with the new revisions.
The pluses of the Micro are many, and the diminuti've size and excellent UI makes using this player a pleasure. Audio quality is excellent, and other than sheer output power is right up there with the JB3 (IMO the best ever mp3 player - irregardless of brand).
Hope this rambling note can help you with your decision.
jake

Similar Messages

PETITION: Update to the Zen Micro MTP Firmw

I don't know, maybe I'm the only one who has this issue but I would like Creative to fix the bugs in the Zen Micro MTP firmware. I used this version for half a day. In that span, the computer froze three times and I had to re-install the device twice. In lieu of this, I think Creative really needs to review this firmware as it caused major problems for me (and maybe other users). The new firmware update could also include what users want most......an always visible clock and a more accurate battery indicator.
signed

SSR wrote:
Sure, you can copy any file back as long as it doesn't have any license. MP3 files can't have this.
99+ % of MP3 files, that is. Some Sony Ericsson cell phones actually support a DRM version of MP3 (possibly proprietary, but I think it's an Open Mobile Alliance feature available to all cell-phone makers), largely to help carriers block the phone's ability to use ordinary MP3 files as ringtones, and thus force users to buy ringtones from carrier-approved sites. (Vodafone in the UK does this regularly, but Cingular, the only US national carrier that regularly sells Sony Ericsson, didn't with my phone.)
Sony Ericsson used to provide a "DRM Packager" freely to developers to insert DRM into MP3 ringtones; phone hackers discovered it and bypassed Vodafone's locks by using it to make their own DRM'ed MP3's for download to their phones. Sony Ericsson eventually took it down, though warez sites still carry it, and presumably some real developers can still get it. (No, I won't tell how to get it; I'm not about to be banned.)
Of course, this DRM isn't approved by the major labels for anything other than ringtones (and isn't supported by anything but cell phones), so obviously any MP3 file that gets near a Micro, or any other stand-alone MP3 player, isn't DRM'ed.
Message Edited by RBBrittain on 09-20-2005 03:4 AM

What happened to the Zen Micro Pho

I had asked my parents to buy me the Zen Micro Photo as a gift for Christmas and they thought they had got the right one but they got the older Zen Micro, not the photo one. Not a big deal I thought, I would just go back to the store and exchange it. Well, it seems that the Micro Photo doesn't even exist anywhere. It isn't even available to buy on Creatives store, it isn't even listed as an option. Every store I have called told me that they don't carry that model, and every web site I have gone to is out of stock. I even called Amazon.com and asked them when they thought they would be getting more in and they said they didn't know. I called Bestbuy, CircuitCity, various electronics stores in the New York/New Jersey areas and everyone is sold out or never carried it. Just two weeks ago I saw it for sale on Creatives site and now it isn't there. I plan on calling Creatives customer service in the morning and asking them about it. Does anyone here know what happened, is it going to be available again or is it being replaced?

bag3lbit3s wrote:
Well I doubt that Creative just stopped making them, I remember while looking for a White one in the U.S. I called up Creative asking when they'll be sending more out and they told me late January/Early February they'll be shipping them out to retailer. I really wanted the White one to be honest but they only have grey over in the U.S. and I didn't want to have to order through the U.K. or Singapore for one.
Yeah, I don't think the microphoto has been discontinued. I just think they're having some stock supply/demand issues and they're all sorts of screwed up with their websites for different regions around the world and the availability of items. It would be dumb to get rid of the micro and the microphoto since that would leave nothing to really compete with the ipod nano (and I don't think too many people are buying the neeon, but I could be wrong).
Though I still would like to hear what the moderators know about the future of all of the different creative mp3 players.
Owner of:
40GB Zen Touch
20GB Zen Sleek
2 8GB Zen Microphotos (that's right, two, i liked 'em so much I bought a second one despite the current lack of audible support)
Former owner of:
40GB Zen Xtra
5GB Zen Micro
AUDIBLE SUPPORT FOR THE ZEN MICROPHOTO NOW!!!!!!!!!!!Message Edited by penn on 2-27-2005 03:57 AM

What was the last firmware version for the Zen Micro before M

I would like to know what was the last firmware version for the Zen Micro before the MTP firmware?
Please make sure you are 00% on this.
Thankyou.

I think it does, but I'm not sure; since I wanted MTP, I only used .x firmware long enough to save the original Creative test files (with MediaSource, not ZMME) before upgrading to 2.x. And yes, I had to li've with 2..02's shorter battery life until 2.20.05 came out.
May I ask why you want to go back to .x firmware? The only thing that will get you is the ability to use it with Win98SE/2000/Me--but only if you can install Creative drivers on every PC you use it with. MTP requires WinXP SP or 2 and WMP 0, but doesn't need any Creative software at all to work. (Microsoft has made an MTP driver for Win98SE/2000/Me, but it requires customization and may not be supported by other software. I'm tinkering a bit with the customization part right now.)
There are other pitfalls in changing Micro firmware families, in either direction--you'll lose all the files on your Micro, you'll have to install a different ZMME (and I've heard non-MTP ZMME isn't quite as full-featured as MTP ZMME), and you'll need a new plug-in for MediaSource to work.

The Zen Micro Headphone Jack Problem Thr

First of all please don't post comments only and only post if you have a problem. Treat this thread like the "Experience with your Creative Player." I want to see how far this thread can go and to see if this is a big problem. Please be respectful and honest about this issue. This is only for the Zen Micro right now since it's the one player that most of users here have issues with. Who knows that someday Creative might look into this or to really see if there really is a problem or not.
If you have friends or anyone else you know who owns a Zen Micro and has this problem, tell them to join the forums and post here, try not to post for them unless they are part of your family. Like if you were trying to do this for your son or daughter.
If you own more than one Zen Micro and that they have the same problem, try to list them seperately. If you just got your player fixed or RMA'ed, made a post here in the past, then all of sudden it breaks again. Please post again with the same format. I want to make sure that each post is for one Zen Micro. Though the moderators are the only exceptions to this.
If any of you think that this thread needs to be edited in any way, please send me a Private Message so I can make the changes.
The format
) Capacity
2) New, Used, Refurbished, Replacement? And where?
3) How long you owned the player?
4) Explain exactly what happened when the problem occured?
5) Did you fix or solve the problem? If not, say so. If yes did you RMA by warranty? Fix it yourself?
6) If you did get a replacement from Creative, is this your second player? Third? Fourth? Fifth?
7) Your own comments/opinions to the whole issue and anything else you want to add. Like RMA service was bad or it was great.
This is my example and only an example.
) 5GB
2) Bought New at Buy.com
3) Since March '05 or about 0 months
4) I was just listening to some music then all of a sudden, the right side of my headphones just had no sound coming out. I tried other headphones and it had the same issue. This happened at around November of '05.5) Yes. Got an RMA from Creative. Took about two weeks and I ended up getting a replacement. Cost me $25 not including shipping
6) Happened on my first player. The replacement will be my second one.7) I think Creative did an awesome job in taking in my player even though I couldn't prove that my warranty was valid. Customer service was excellent. Thanks Creative!

) 5 gig
2) New from www.ecost.com
3) I got it for Christmas
4) Eventually the sound started to get kinda messed up, and only come out of one ear. i was able to fix it by moving the plug, but that only worked for a week or so.
5) I RMAed the player, although I still have not gotten a replacement, Creative recieved my player 7 days ago.
6) No replacement recieved as of now
7) I think Creative needs to address this problem not just by having people RMA their players, but rather by changing the way the micro is designed. I am also disappointed by the whole RMA process. The status page is rarely updated, my RMA has taken 2 days longer than it should have, and there is a lack of information as to whom I need to contact about this. I'm a big fan of Creative's mp3 players, but this may be my last purchase from them. their costumer service is really lacking it seems. If my replacement Micro (if I ever get it) breaks, I most likely will try another brand.

Pls post ur suggestions/comments on whether i get the zen micro.

pls post your suggestions, comments, reactions, etc etc regarding the zen micro. am planning to buy myself a hard dri've mp3 player (5gb or 4gb would suffice) and i still can't decide up to now on whether i should get the ipod mini or the creative zen micro. your suggestions would be highly appreciated.

I have a Zen Touch. I do not have an enormous music collection, but have maybe 50 or 60 albums on the player. This is something like 6 or 7 GB. It is WAY too much for me (even this much music). I do not need even that many songs on it at once. With support via WMP0 to synchronize, you could just synch up your favorites every time, switch them around, eventually synch up Napter 2 Go stuff and still have a ton on a 5 GB player. Features on the Micro that sound flashy but I would NEVER use are the calendar, contact thing. I have this on my phone, too, and don't use it. I have a PDA--I DO use that. An MP3 player is a pitiful substitute for a PDA (and a PDA is a lousy MP3 player). I would use the Audible Audio support in the Micro. Touch does not have this. I am a huge Audible fan. I had seriously looked at a Rio Carbon, but now that the Micro is out, that would be the player I would buy if I had it to do over again. They do need to develope a way to charge your extra battery for the Micro. The ability to swap batteries is pretty stupid the way it is now--you can only charge it in the player. They need a charger for the spare. Just my opinion, but I think some people get carried away with hard dri've potential. I can't forsee EVER wanting to carry that much music around with me, especially when it will be so easy to change what is on the player once full support for WMP0 comes out. I am just not away from my home computer library for that length of time that I would want to carry most of it around with me. I vote for the Micro.

Some questions about the correct way to recharge the zen micro batt

Ok..i don't think this is convered in the FAQs.
I copied this from the FAQ----At the present moment, the only possible way to avoid the standby loss is removing the battery after you finish listening to music. Gi'ven the wear and tear resulting, this is not really an option. It will help, though, if you prime your battery correctly, recharge it often (topping it up, not only resorting to full recharges),
Ok...my question--
) to preserve battery life span, shouldn't we wait for the player to die off complete, for example when it starts to display "low battery" before we recharge it's Does this post mean that we shouldn't actually wait for the battery to be complete;y drained off before a recharge? Does it mean we should always recharge, say when there's one bar left?
2) Before doing any music transfer using the computer, should we always make sure the zen micro was fully charged first before the transfer since USB port also serves as a charger. I tried using a completely drained player before music transfer and the player stops charging after 3 hours, which shouldn't be the case because USB always take a longer time to charge (i was told twice as much) and true enough, after deplugging from the USB port, the player starts charging again. Note that this always happen, meaning i can never get a complete 5 hours charge using the USB. What is wrong? And after such charge from USB, i noticed that the battery life the next day is like one third of what it usually last when i charged it through a charger...
I know this is a long post but can someone tell me the correct way of charging?
Thanxs!

immunophilic wrote:
Ok..i don't think this is convered in the FAQs.
I copied this from the FAQ----At the present moment, the only possible way to avoid the standby loss is removing the battery after you finish listening to music. Gi'ven the wear and tear resulting, this is not really an option. It will help, though, if you prime your battery correctly, recharge it often (topping it up, not only resorting to full recharges),
This is from JazzMC's FAQ right? (I added a link to this a day or two ago from the main FAQ post) I hadn't spotted this before and I don't agree with most of this. The wear and tear is minimal, but it's more a case of practicality that removing the battery is a pain. Also priming is not really that important with Lithium Ion, and topping up won't make any difference to the battery drain.
) to preserve battery life span, shouldn't we wait for the player to die off complete, for example when it starts to display "low battery" before we recharge it's Does this post mean that we shouldn't actually wait for the battery to be complete;y drained off before a recharge? Does it mean we should always recharge, say when there's one bar left?
Look in my Nomad Primer, which is essentially a distilled version of the information from BatteryUni'versity.com. Top-up charges prolong the life of a Lithium Ion battery. These are all reference in the FAQ.
2) Before doing any music transfer using the computer, should we always make sure the zen micro was fully charged first before the transfer since USB port also serves as a charger. I tried using a completely drained player before music transfer and the player stops charging after 3 hours, which shouldn't be the case because USB always take a longer time to charge (i was told twice as much) and true enough, after deplugging from the USB port, the player starts charging again. Note that this always happen, meaning i can never get a complete 5 hours charge using the USB. What is wrong? And after such charge from USB, i noticed that the battery life the next day is like one third of what it usually last when i charged it through a charger...
Because of the Micro's design there will always be a difference in the amount of power it can pull via USB vs. the drain when copying files to it. USB is slower to charge than the mains adapter, but it should charge fully given time (which could be twice as much as using the mains adapter).
There is a known issue with the battery draining on the Micro, but you should know this having read JazzMC's page. This is the reason the battery is so low the next day.

Should I buy the Zen Micro or the Zen Touch Playe

I am trying to decide whether to buy the Zen Micro or the Zen Touch. They are roughly the same price. I do not think I need 20GB, but I hate to constrain myself.
On the other hand, the Zen Micro appears to offer a few extra features like FM radio, replaceable battery, voice recording and advanced song handling (DJ, for example). The Zen Touch seems to have just the most basic functions.
So what do I do, get a gigantic player with minimal functionality (less than an iPod or Nomad) or a smaller player with more functionality (I am unlikely to use voice and FM recording, and use the FM radio minimally)?
It just seems like the overall Micro firmware is more robust than the Touch firmware, but I'm not sure the tradeoff is worth it.
What are your thoughts?

I have a Zen Touch. I do not have an enormous music collection, but have maybe 50 or 60 albums on the player. This is something like 6 or 7 GB. It is WAY too much for me (even this much music). I do not need even that many songs on it at once. With support via WMP0 to synchronize, you could just synch up your favorites every time, switch them around, eventually synch up Napter 2 Go stuff and still have a ton on a 5 GB player. Features on the Micro that sound flashy but I would NEVER use are the calendar, contact thing. I have this on my phone, too, and don't use it. I have a PDA--I DO use that. An MP3 player is a pitiful substitute for a PDA (and a PDA is a lousy MP3 player). I would use the Audible Audio support in the Micro. Touch does not have this. I am a huge Audible fan. I had seriously looked at a Rio Carbon, but now that the Micro is out, that would be the player I would buy if I had it to do over again. They do need to develope a way to charge your extra battery for the Micro. The ability to swap batteries is pretty stupid the way it is now--you can only charge it in the player. They need a charger for the spare. Just my opinion, but I think some people get carried away with hard dri've potential. I can't forsee EVER wanting to carry that much music around with me, especially when it will be so easy to change what is on the player once full support for WMP0 comes out. I am just not away from my home computer library for that length of time that I would want to carry most of it around with me. I vote for the Micro.

A way how to fix the Zen Micro head phone jack prob

Hi! I am one of the many people that purchased a Zen Micro MP3 player, I loved it until around 6 months of use, an audio shorting problem with the head phone jack, started to repeat it's self every time, that I would plug my head phone's into the Zen Micro head phone jack. After awhile, I was tired of this problem, so I just decided to never use it again, unless I could find out if the maker of the Zen Micro had a repair service. I noticed that some people had their Micro's replaced a few times under the warranty that is included with the player. I also noticed that some one created a way to fix this problem, but I wanted to see if I could find an easier way to fix the problem. Well I did end up finding an easier way to fix the problem, this is what I did.
Absolutely in all means I can't be held responsible / reliable for any unforseen thing / things, that you may or could, do to the Zen Micro, by following the instructions, which I provided. By trying what I did by following the instructions, which I provided you; you accept all responsibility to any thing / things, that may or could happen to the Zen Micro.
The Instructions:
I took a stapler pressed it down to get a used staple then I carefully inserted it in the outer part of the plastic head phone jack ring. Then I pressed the rest of the staple flat against the Zen micro. And Now I get great sound, it is at least better than, the way it was before I inserted the staple. I would suggest to always remove the staple. When you connect the Zen Micro to a computer, charging device, or any other device other than a pair of head phones. You understand that if you leave the staple inserted in the Zen Micro and don't remove it. While you have it connected to a computer, charging device, or any other device, or devices, even a pair of head phones, and some thing happens, you can't hold me responsible.
If you would like to see a photo of how it looks please reply to this message and just include your email address please. I will send it to you as soon as possible. The photo has 4 photos sized down to perfectly fit on one photo, so you can get a good idea of what it should look like.
Message Edited by theZenDude07 on 02-28-200707:45 PM

Thank you for the information, can I please have the photos so I dont destroy it entirely !. Take care,?Simon?(Dublin, Ireland)

ANYBODY WANT TO SEE THE INSIDE OF THE ZEN MICRO?

If u want to see a step by step guide thats takes u through the process of taking apart the Zen Micro...then go to
Check the Zen Micro out FROM the Inside
Its pretty cool...it shows every little detail...Message Edited by noappendix90 on 06-06-2005 05:2 AM

This has been posted like a million times. Check the date on the article. Please note that just about everyone on this board knows how to use Google. If you post an article or bit of information as news on June 6th, say, make sure that date on it isn't older than June st, for example.
Oh, and ... don't e-v-e-r use caps in your titles, no matter how much of a scoop you think you have.Message Edited by tganani on 06-06-2005 05: AM

Questions about the zen micro leather case???

hey everyone,
i saw the pictures of the zen micro leather case in the US store and was going to get them until i heard that the case is quite useless and annoying with the two-way flap open. Do you still think i should get them or a diiferent one(im DESPERATE to get one!!)
thanks everyone.

There are several designs out there including... the flexi-skin (at Boxwave.com as well as eBay), Noreve's, Krussell's?and Vaja. It really comes down to what you want from a case. I've gone for a flexi-skin as I want easy access to the controls, and I kept my screen protector (but screen protectors are easy enough to buy).

When is the Zen Micro going to be releas

Just like the topic says, when will the Zen Micro be released? thanks a ton
Taylor

They've actually been out for a while. http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04//05/6723 (Note date: November 5th)
They're just hard to find in stores :|

The Zen Micro wired remote: Many raves, two small ra

Just got my eagerly-anticipated white Zen Micro remote!! Here's my two cents:
Pros:
. Nice look that matches the design of the unit itself very well.
2. Definitely makes life easier in terms of controlling the unit while staying acti've.
3. Minimalist with all of the important functions built into a small, elegant design.
4. I like that there's a button to quickly switch between mp3 and radio modes.
5. I like that the play button, when held down, functions as an on/off switch.
Cons:
. The clip is well-designed from the perspecti've that it's not likely to slip off after it's on. Unfortunately, it should have been a teeny bit wider because it doesn't work on anything but the thinnest cloth, which is especially tragic since this novel design would have let Creative make it as wide as they want without hurting its effecti'veness!
2. Why did I have to figure out for MYSELF that the play button doubles as an on/off switch? The documentation (or lack thereof): the remote only includes a little diagram with a button legend. Said legend doesn't really say anything about the buttons except the obvious. Hmmm, I wonder what the "mode" button does, since on the actual device "play mode" lets me go from regular play to shuffle to repeat etc.... let's consult the manual. Ummm yep it seems that the "mode" button does... modes. Great.
These two rants -- which in no way are recommendations not to buy the remote -- are indicators of the same feeling that possessed me when I wrote my previous rants about the Zen Micro itself -- deep, intense, frustration. Frustration at what appears to be a trend with Creative: a non-user-oriented mindset. The kind of mindset that thinks, "why bother with the kind of details that won't actually prevent anyone from buying the device?" Like, who would care about a crappy manual for a $20 remote? I mean, we'll all figure out how it works in no time, right? I mean, in the worst case, the hidden on/off function will be like a cool Easter egg waiting to be found.
- sigh -
I realize these small rants constitute the large majority of my post but guess what? It's a remote. It works. There isn't too much else to say about it. Or, at least, that's how it should be.

I didn't know that about the play/pause button or the mode button. When I pushed play/pause it just paused and when I pushed mode it went to FM. I assumed that is all they did, lol! For me the clip is of little consequence because it is almost allways in my pocket or bag and I operate it by feel. Perhaps they figured that everyone li'ves in a warm climate and wears thin clothing? You are so right in saying the instruction manual is something less than stellar. I am not sure why they even bothered to waste the paper and ink! Come to think of it, the Micro's documentation led something to be desired too. Thanks for the tips!!!

Other uses for the zen micro H

I read about people removing the hard dri've from the zen micro -and using it in their digital slr cameras that can take CF micro dri'ves...
is this possible? could you remove the hard dri've - and put it into a CF slot on a notebook and have it show up as a 5gb dri've?

Here's the answer i guess
From:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/microdri've.html
A Note From Seagate
"The Seagate hard dri've inside these players was manufactured and qualified for use specifically in these music player applications. It is not designed to be removed from the music player, and removing the dri've voids the warranty on the music player and on the hard dri've.
Also important to note: because these dri'ves weren't designed or tested for uses external to the music players, they may not operate correctly (either short-term or long-term) in other applications.
To date, Seagate has not completed the design and testing of, and has not made available, a -inch hard dri've for use by consumers in CompactFlash slots.
Seagate is working on a consumer version of its -inch CompactFlash Type II hard dri've, the "Seagate CompactFlash Photo Hard Dri've," that will be priced very attracti'vely for the mainstream photography market. Seagate announced this dri've in June 2004. We'll have more news regarding a launch date later in the holiday season.
Best to you and to everyone at Steve's,"
John Paulsen
Sr. Manager, Corporate Communications
Seagate Technology

I Thought The Zen Micro Came With The AC Adapter

I bought a zen micro two days ago, and I was suprised that I didnt find an AC adapter after reading a couple of reviews saying that came with them. Does anyone have a link to one? I will only buy a creative product. I dont want aftermarket. Thanks in advance

Newer Zen Micros don't come with the AC adapter; mine didn't. (Creative took it out as a cost-cutting measure when they reduced its MSRP, though you might still be able to find units with the charger, especially at Wal-Mart if the reports here are correct.) You can charge it with your PC and the USB cable, or buy a charger; Creative's charger is sold at this site's shop for $29.99 plus $2.99 S&H (see the link from the guy who posted just ahead of me).
I see you only want the Creative charger, but just for reference, I understand aftermarket chargers for most Blackberrys, or Motorola MPx200 or RAZR V3 phones, will work with the Zen Micro; they all charge thru a USB mini-B port. (Of course, I'm not responsible if an aftermarket charger damages your player.)
Message Edited by RBBrittain on 08-0-2005 0:3 AM

Full revision list of the Zen Micro's firmware?

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