Pick up metal objects with zen micro headphones? battery life with firmware 1.02

hey all
just purchased my zen micro couple days ago.
the package we got here in downunder is satifying. included were the wired remote and also the stand/case with belt clip. these were the only reasons that made me choose this over the ipod mini.
this has not occurred to me until tonight, but the headphones seems to act as magnets and were stuck to each other as the phones were dangling
i never noticed this happening with other phones
also the battery life of my zen was horrendous. its lasted 5 hrs with eq and smart volume on. the zen was on hold the whole time as the actions were controlled by the wired remote.
this was with the firmware that was shipped with the player .0.03 i believe
have just updated the firmware now, and will be testing the battery life to see if the problem is rectified.
if not, then an exhange for an ipod is inevitable.

Yep, SV is a battery killer, around a 50% drop in life has been meaured and the effect is known to be pretty negligible.
And as others have said, them headphones have magnets in, like pretty much any speaker

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New Zen Micro..Battery life prob

I bought a new Zen Micro yesterday...followed all the instructions..even bought the CCPP..while i was using the USB to charge it..i ripped 5 albums to the device...When it was fully charged.. I unplugged it.. This morning I played it for about an hour and then lost one bar on the battery icon..an hour later, i lost a 2nd bar. What's this all about?..what happened to the 2 hour life of a charged battery? When i phoned tech support they told me "sometimes when you rip an album, it corrupts the battery icon and you may not be fully charged'>..Sounds like a lot of techno doubletalk....HELP!

A new Lithium Ion battery takes 2 or 3 charges to reach peak performance.
You should also make sure you have the ..0 firmware which reduces the standby time, and standby drain.
Also make sure you read the FAQ post about how to maximise battery life.

Zen Micro: Poor Battery Performance Even with Firmware Upgr

The Zen Micro's battery life is advertised to last up to 2 hours, but I am only getting approximately 7.5 hours. I have installed the latest firmware v.0.03 upgrade, and fully charged and discharged both batteries at least fi've times each (using the USB and AC adaptors before plutting into outlet). Before the firmware upgrade I was getting just under six hours of battery life. For testing purposes I am using 28kbps MP3 files, volume level 8, no EQ setting, no backlighting, and the headphones that came with the product. Since I have the player sitting on my desk, without being listened to, there's no skipping or forwarding of music tracks. Gi'ven the non-demanding settings, the battery performance is disappointing.
I have contacted tech support and they want me to send in my player for repair or replacement. It seems this issue is prevalent for all Zen Micros and I don't want to send mine in to have it returned all scuffed and scratched and not fixed (or get some grimy second-hand, refurbished model instead).
So I want to confirm that others are experiencing this same problem before I decide what to do. It seems it would be best to get another one from Amazon instead of going through the hassle of repair.

I notified Amazon of the problem on Friday and got a brand new replacement on Monday. Talk about great service.
Unfortunately the replacement is a crapper also. My second Zen Micro immediately and completely locks up when plugging in the USB cable. Since I didn't return my original unit yet, I was able to try another cable but got the same results. I fully charged the batteries, tried all of the various recovery mode options, and still had the Creative drivers/software previously installed on my computer from before. I'm running WinXP SP2 with up-to-date patches, and no other software installed since. My PC's motherboard has built-in USB 2.0 support (with power mgmt turned off) and updated drivers and BIOS, but these things shouldn't be an issue anyway since it worked fine with the first Zen Micro. I'm not able to upgrade the firmware, let alone transfer music, because of the lockup problem. I build and fix PCs for friends and coworkers all the time so I'm confident in my trouble-shooting abilities.
The second Micro makes the first one seem perfect. I really wanted to like this MP3 player, but two defecti've products in a row is totally unacceptable to me. What a waste of my time. I should have been more suspicious about Creative products since my Muvo TX FM player was buggy as well (i.e. player would immediately shut down when powering on). I will check out the Rio Carbon or iRi'ver products instead.

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.

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 static sh

Has any else experienced a shock of their Zen Micro headphones?
I get a shock almost every day off of mine !
Is this a known problem or is my Zen about to blow up?
Anybody any ideas ?
Thx

Are you walking around on carpet at the time? It might be just static, if you've built up a potential difference relati've to your headphones.

Zen Micro Photo Battery? Where to

Hey guys. I'm a bit confused now because I can't find an original Zen Micro Photo battery in germany. It seems like it isn*t released till now. Now I would like to if and if yes when it will be released in germany. It can*t just be true that creative wants us to use the old zen micro battery which is weaker.

Why wouldn't they take responsibility? Read through the forums, you're not the first one with battery problems. I'd say try a new battery if you can, otherwise send Creative Support an email about the problem. You'll probably have to send in your player and will get a replacement.

Zen Stone Plus Battery Life Test -Summ

Battery Life/ Playtime: Up to 9.5 hours for continuous audio playback
Battery Type: Rechargeable Li-Ion Polymer (Embedded)
*CREATIVE specifications.
I had tested on my zen stone plus battery life... I used uni'versal travel adapter for zen micro to fully charged my zen stone before began my test... I let it continuous audio playback till all battery drained
Detail :
* 30 Song, ~80 song is rock/techno, ~50 song is pop
* Bit Rate: 28-320 kbps
* Audio sample rate: 44kHz
* Bass Boost On
* EQ set to rock
* Continuous audio playback - No skipping Tracks
* Volume - 3/40
* No headphone plugged -(Because of this battery life might vary, whether u use high powered
headphone or not)
* No radio, stopwatch, microphone used
* Firmware .03.0
* Player's date and time - Off
* Idle Shutdown - 0s
* Contrast - 40%
* Waked up the player from idle few time ( To check my player condition)
* Result : 8.8 hrs ( 8 hr 4 min 2++ sec) for the above condition.
First 3 hrs - Full bar
Next 4 hrs - Left 2 bar
Next hrs - Left bar
Next 40 min - Battery drained (Player shut down by itself)
**Estimated * as i said i check my player condition few time
P.s. If i missed out anything, Please tell Me.
Thank !Message Edited by hippon2 on 0-8-200707:34 PM
Message Edited by hippon2 on 0-8-200707:36 PM

ok, I will tkae that under consideration. Now I have another battery issue, after fully charging the MP3 player I noticed that the battery life drain rather quickly while it is off. I lost 9% of it's charge from taking it off the charger at midnight and then plugging it into the usb port of my computer the next morning at 10:00am. The clock is turned off so it should not be doing anything for those 0 hours.

Zen Micro - Headphone Jack Metal Reinforcement Pl

On 3/4, Cirrus wrote in response to a REALLY long thread about the headphone jack problem with the Zen Micro that it:
".... supposedly has been fixed in the newer Zen Micros by adding a metal reinforcement plate to the headphone jack." This according to a customer service person (I believe).

Based on reviews and looking at my options, I would already own a ZM if it wasn't for this apparent design flaw with the jack. But, with this new information about a reinforcement plate, I am again interested.

Does anybody know if the new units are available?

If so, is there any way for me to know, by looking at the box or at the unit itself, if I am getting a reinforced ZM?

I will most likely buy in person at a retail store so that I can check out the player before I buy it.

Thanks.

Read this thread. http://forums.creative.com/creativel...essage.id=3807

Cure to the Zen Micro headphone ja

[url="http://www.noboundrees.com/Micro_Fix/">
Zen Micro Audio Jack Fix[/url]
I haven't tried this yet, so use procautions. If anyone knows if this is legit, please give a reply.

Yes, I did and it works!
Got a Zen Micro with a headphone jack problem? I fixed mine very easily. This could also help with other models too. Here?s how:
Note: disassembling your unit will void any remaining warrantee.
Problem: The headphone jack solder joints get cracked from the prying force of the headphone plug. This force could be especially severe if you carry your player in your pocket and you?re not careful. It is an engineering problem but unfortuanately hard to prevent on any pocket device due to the design of the industry standard mini-phono headphone plug exerting prying force on the jack.
You?ll need a tiny Phillips screwdriver, a small pocket knife or small flat screwdriver, a fine soldering iron and some rosin-core solder, and a hot-melt glue gun.
Begin by sliding the on/off/lock switch to the locked position. Pry up the plastic jack face plate cover. It?s just stuck on with glue. You can replace it again when finished. This exposes two tiny Phillips-head screws. Remove them.
Slide the battery cover door off. Remove the battery. You?ll notice a metal plate under the battery that serves among other things, to secure the white plastic back cover to the main chassis of the player, and that the metal plate has two tabs that are inserted into slots at the top by the three gold battery contacts. Using your fingernail, slide the metal plate downward away from the battery contacts end. This will disengage the chassis from the back cover.
Use a small screwdriver to gently pry the bottom of the case out away from the chassis. This disengages a catch holding the chassis to the body. With the bottom of the case pried out, press on the metal plate down a the bottom at the small white circular Creative Labs warrantee seal to swing the chassis out from the white plastic back cover. Gently remove it all the way and set the player chassis aside in a safe place.
You?ll notice a small circuit board with the jacks and switch in the top of the back cover. It is held to the cover by two tiny Phillips-head screws. Remove them. Remove the circuit board from the back cover. The screws also hold a small metal cover over the jacks. Remove it.
Carefull remove the existing hot-melt glue from the factory. Take special care not to knick anything with your knife and don?t simply rip the hot melt off, but carefully cut and/or peel it off gently so as not to damage anything.
Notice 4 leads from the headphone jack are soldered onto the circuit board. If you look closely you?ll probably see that one or more are loose. It's usually the top right one between the headphone and USB jacks. * Solder them again, using more solder than was previously used, but don?t put too much on the top left one as it could come into contact with the little metal jack cover when it is replaced. Solder the 4 USB jack leads (outer cover ones) and the 4 on/off/lock switch leads while you?re at it. Replace the small metal cover to make sure the solder joints for the headphone jack don't come into contact with it.
Now you?ll want to secure the jacks so that the newly repaired solder joints are not stressed and broken again... but TEST THE REPAIR NOW before glueing. Apply a generous amount of hot-melt adhesi've to the sides, backs and tops of the jacks and IMMEDIATELY replace the small metal cover pressing it quickly down until the mounting holes align. Very carfully remove any excess, taking extreme care not to knick anything.
Replace the circuit board into the back cover and replace the screws. Pay special attention to the fit. Make sure any extra hot-melt you may have missed removing isn?t interfering with the fit.
Carefully reassemble the chassis into the back cover, paying special attention to properly align and connect the two socket connectors on either side of the boards, and pressing firmly to ensure proper connectivity. Check the fit. Make sure the top of the display face is exactly aligned flush with the cover when reassembled. Check all the edges of the front face to ensure they are all aligned flush with their corresponding sides of the back cover.
Replace the small screws on the top by the jacks that attach the back cover to the chassis.
Replace the stick-on plastic top-end face plate. Slide the metal plate in the battery compartment back up into the locked position. Make sure the 4 tabs on the sides of the plate lock over the corresponding tabs in the sides of the back cover (you can see through 4 holes in the sides)
Replace the battery and battery cover. Turn the power on. If successful, have a listen. You should hear both sides of the audio while wiggling the headphone plug.
It?s too bad you have to go through this but your Zen Micro is definitely worth the effort to fix, which you will agree having done it, is easier than it seemed like it would be. You shouldn?t have to do it again, but with the hot-melt for adhesi've, you can, using a little heat.
* Alternately you can use epoxy cement instead of hotmelt. I personally perefer this method but you have to be competent at electronics rework technicques, in particular, de-soldering of the jack. If you're not comfortable with this then just use the hot-melt. You'll need to de-solder the four jack leads from the circuit board pads and remove the jack. Make sure the leads are straight. Dry-fit the jack to make sure the leads aren't bent from the removal process and dry-test on the pcb to make sure the leads line up with the pads. Mix a pea-sized blob of epoxy cement and apply some on the bottom of the jack, but not enough that it will squish out and interfere with the cover, and position it back on the pcb. Place the jack on the board and line up the leads again on the pads. Re-solder the leads, replace the metal cover, and screw down the cover right away. (don't over-tighten) Reassemble and enjoy.

Zen Micro headphone jack loosened resulting in poor earphone connect

I have had the 5g zen micro for 9 months now and love it. My battery play time has been tremendous, I migrated to the window media player and managing my music cannot be easier, I bought some high end earphones and the sound has been off the charts. But, recently, the headphone connection became loose and now my sound goes in and out, from right to left, sometimes muted or muffled...unless I hold the jack in place. It's become impossible to enjoy my music now.
I have sent a note to Creative customer service how I can get this fixed ASAP, as I don't want to be without my mp3 for an extended period of time. Has anyone had to deal with Creative on this? Do you have any suggestions?
I just bought another zen micro for a family member and now worried this may happen to them. I have not heard this problems from any of my friends that use the IPOD

Sounds like the common headphone jack problem. You need to contact support. iPods have the problem also, as do most (if not all) players. Whether the incidence is the same, who knows!

Zen Micro Headphone Jack problems-are the new ones

Gonna buy a Zen Micro Photo 8GB player-had one of the 5gb ones a year and a half ago and the headphone jack went on that-have the problems with the headphone jack been sorted out in the new ones?

I have not seen any reports of problems with the Zen MicroPhoto's headphone jack.
Cat

Zen Micro headphone jack horror stories, truth or scar

I've been looking for an Mp3 player for over 4 months(since January), and I have looked through many Micro-Hard Dri've and Flash Memory players, including: Dell Pocket DJ, iPod Mini, Rio Carbon, Creative Zen Micro, iPod Shuffle, Creative MuVo Micro N200, and Creative MuVo TX FM. I'm glad to say that I decided on the Zen Micro. I've had it for 4 days now(including today), and so far, it is working great, better than I had hoped. Everything is nice about it; the only that scares me is the problem that many people have with the Zen Micro, the headphone jack problem. I've heard numerous reports of people with a Zen Micro who complain that after about 2-5 months of usage, the headphone jack will break, and little or NO sound will come out of it. And they say that this is a problem that is meant to happen with all Zen Micros. Hmmm is this true? I hope this doesn't happen to me. Do you think that upgrading the firmware will help fix the problem(btw, I still use ..03....or something like that, I haven't updated it)?

thug_outlaw69 wrote:
Just don't use a straight angle headphone plug like the ones that came with the Zen Micro. Use one with a 90 degree angle.
That doesn't make any difference, reportedly... just prolonges the problem so it doesn't break until the warranty's over....

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.

Pick up metal objects with zen micro headphones? battery life with firmware 1.02

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