Using new Creative Zen without Zen Media Explo

Hi
I have just received my Creative Zen. I wanted to use it like an external hard disk as well as an MP3 player but on my computer Windows XP only detects the Zen after I have installed Zen Media Explorer. This means I can't use it on other computers without installing the software.
However it looks like some people have been able to plug and play:
http://forums.creative.com/creativelabs/board/message?board.id=pmc&message.id=45483
What's the story?

I don't think you get that New Hardware Wizard if you have Windows Media Player v. on your system.
The drivers are in the WMP software. If you don't have WMP v. you should upgrade. Do you get the new hardware wizard as soon as you connect with your USB connection? If so, that tells you that your USB connection is good.
Have you installed the Creative Media Source and the Zen V Media Explorer software on your PC yet? If you are like me - the last thing you look at is the User manual. I just about tore my hair out when I first got this thing because I didn't have even a basic understanding of how it worked. Then I discovered the "User Guide" in the software package on the PC, and it really gives a lot more information than the little user manual that comes in the package. Ithink you will find a lot of answers there. Don't know why people don't want to use the ZenV Media Explorer.
As I have come to understand this setup, the Creative Media Source is the software that resides on your PC and acts as your Player/Organizer but the Zen V Media Explorer is software that actually resides on your player and acts as your player's file manager. It is to your player - what Windows Explorer- is to your PC, PLUS other functions. I could be wrong about this, but I think that if you want to just be able to drag and drop files and use your Zen V like a flash dri've, you have to do some configuration for mass storage.

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Hi @DRB1961,
I do not think the Zeen will work if you no longer have the C510 printer. The printer is necessary to ensure the Zeen is up to date. The Zeen is simply not a standalone device, it is a component of the printer. I can not say this with certainty that it will not work, so it is worth trying to reset the Zeen to finding out for sure.
When you see this message, "must dock the Zeen to the printer to continue", can you access the settings using the 3rd icon above the touch screen? If so we can do a factory reset, if not there is no other way I can think of to bypass this message.
I just tried a reset on a Zeen I have access to, after the initialization, it prompts me to attach the Zeen to the printer to continue with product setup. it appears my original speculation was correct. No, you can not use the Zeen without the printer.
Clicking the thumbs up below helps show me that you are grateful of my efforts If you have any additional questions, I am happy to help.
Please click the Thumbs up icon below to thank me for responding.
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Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
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Creative Zen Micro Photo Media Explo

I've lost the Cd that came with my Zen Micro Photo and i can't seem to find any places where I can download zen micro media explorer.
I tried the Zen Micro's media explorer but that doesn't work.
Can anyone help me please?
Thanks

Hmmm, are you opening it up after you plug in the Zen?

ZEN Vision M - Media Explo

I am using Windows Vista Business Ed. 64bit
I have downloaded latest Media Explorer (released 4th May) and every time I try to install it I get message "Unable to detect device"...
The strange thing is that the device itself is visible to the system... when I connect player normally without any drivers / software I can see it in My computer liky My ZEN and I can browse its content etc.. (WMP does not see player like this, thats is also strange)
When I switch player disk to "removable disk mode" its properly detected by WMP... but it does not help because any files that are transfered this way are not accessible by player in "normal mode" ...
Luckily I have 2nd PC with Win XP ehere everything is working ok.. but I really want to make it work under Vista. ..
Any thoughts ?Message Edited by blackdave on 05-9-2007:53 AM

Hello together!
In my bad english I?ll give you a solution from germany. I have find two ways after many testings before 2 weeks. Maybe Creative should pay me for that. :-(
. Not the good way, but possible
Open the registry an go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\DesktopProcess
Set it from 0 to . This will run the Explorer in more instances singular for desktop, task-bar etc.
If the crash form Zen comes, only the windows-explorer crashes "smart".
2. The better way!
The cause for the total-crash is the Creative-File "ShCtMtp.dll" -> x:\programs\creative\creative zen vision m
It seems to be a problem with the integreation of this file-features in the windows-explorer.
Now the solution! Download the tool Shellxview (http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html). Start it and go to the entry "Zen Vision:M Media Explorer". Then set Deactivation to YES. After reboot of XP the windows-explorer will no more crash!!! :-) BUT if you will use the Zen you MUST to the same procedure backwards and set it to YES. That very boring, but much better than the crashes every time.
Hope I can help you a little bit!

Help with zen micro photo media explo

i installed all the things from the cd needed including the media explorer..i plug in the zen micro and my computer detects it but when i open up the media explorer, so i could transfer my music onto my device, nothing is clickable. can anyone help?

Hmmm, are you opening it up after you plug in the Zen?

Issues copying more than 47 folders to Zen MicroPhoto via Media Explo

I have had my Zen MicroPhoto for a few weeks now and not had any issues with it until now. This is really strange and may be a little confusing to understand. And yes, I do have the latest Firmware version...
I have included an image to show the organization of my music. Instead of dumping all the individual tracks into the main directory, I keep them all sorted by Artist, Album, and then the Tracks themselves.
As you can see, I have 47 folders in the root "Music" folder on my Zen MicroPhoto, but if I try copying any more into the "Music" folder, it randomly places them inside any one of the folders insidethe "Music" folder. For instance: I dragged all my music I own by The Beatles onto the Zen, but it placed The Beatles' folder in Bowling For Soup's (?). At first, when the artists were no longer showing up in the main Music folder, I thought that they were just for some reason being hidden or something... but they do infact play on my Zen MicroPhoto without any trouble. Then I was looking through my folders to sort some music and there it was: "The Beatles", sitting in my "Bowling For Soup" folder.
I do have quite a bit of knowledge about Operating Systems -- and computers in general -- but this issue has really got me... anyone else experiencing this?
<IMG src="http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/889/zenmediaexplorer3ct.jpg">
P.S. I have not tried reformatting my Zen yet, but I will if I can't find a solution here.

I just Formatted All and Reloaded Firmware... seems to have fixed it for now. I will update if it occurs again.

Using new "comping" -- possible without mouse?

I've been a logic user since 1998 and while I do like Logic 8, I am having some problems, especially with the lack of key commands in the new "comping" functionality.
Here is my list of gripes (or possibly mis-understandings)
copy/paste channel strip settings
- now copies also the pan and volume info, not just the plugin list -- I preferred the old behavior where just the plugins were copied over
input monitoring
- the "I" next to the record and mute buttons on the channel strip and audio track.... is there really no key command for this?
sample editor
-- pressing 'spacebar' in the sample editor seems to control the arrange page, I can't figure out how to press 'play' in the sample editor to hear what it contains...
-- when I double-click on an audio region, the sample editor appears at the bottom of the screen, and I can't figure out a key command to get rid of it and give me back my screen real estate on the arrange page
new comping functionality
-- I can't figure out how to turn it off completely -- the only workaround to get back to the old behavior in cycle record seems to do an "unpack take folder" command after each recording.
-- it doesn't seem possible to do all necessary actions by key commands. For example, I can't figure out how to "open" a bunch of takes with the key command -- it seems to be necessary to double-click the main recording or click on the little arrow on the right of the region
-- similarly I would like to be able to scroll through the various takes by key
-- I can't figure out how to listen the takes, one by one, without manually selecting them with the mouse
-- I feel until the comping system is made entirely useable without recourse to the mouse, it would be nice to be able to turn it "off" completely
--- does anyone yet have a system of doing comping entirely by key commands that they would recommend?

+*pressing 'spacebar' in the sample editor seems to control the arrange page, I can't figure out how to press 'play' in the sample editor to hear what it contains...*+
Press Zero on numerical or enter - when in sample editor mode... Used to do it for me in L7
+*when I double-click on an audio region, the sample editor appears at the bottom of the screen, and I can't figure out a key command to get rid of it and give me back my screen real estate on the arrange page*+
In the bottom of the screen estate there are a few buttons : Sample Edit, Piano roll etc... Clicking on one opens the window in Q and clicking again closes it...
The comping feature to me is more of a hazzle than a feature... - Clear to me that Apple had too much to say and that Apple is good for building iTunes and pods but when it comes to Pro Audio they should bud out and leave it to what is left of the Emagic guys;-))))))

How to create a new Recovery Partition without Recovery Media T440s

Dear All.
My T440s no longer has the recovery partition.
I'm with Win 8.1 Pro, but I would like to restore the system.
How can I do to restore and create a new Recovery Partition?
Thanks,
Lucas Mendes

Hi Larry,
The process is detailed in the document on the link below.
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c01890478
Regards,
DP-K
****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
****I don't work for HP****
Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience

Creative zen micro media explo

i have upgraded my firmware etc, but cannot get the zem micro media explorer to recognize my device..i know it isnt the usb cord because it recongizes it through other programs..any help is greatly appreciated!

thanks...if my computer recognizes the yahoo music engine that i use to dl songs, wouldnt windows media explorer notice it as well? I havent dl'e the playforsure firmware, but dont care to lose all of my files and have to add them back to my player..do you suggest i dl the firmware to see if that is the issue?

Helpful hints for new Creative Zen MP3 2/4/8/16/32 GB (flash) Users On

Summary of helpful hints (from this forum and me) for new Creative Zen MP3 2/4/8/6/32 GB (flash) Users Only!
Rev..
Date: 4/28/2008
Author: ZenAndy
Creative terminology:
MP3 Player Recovery Tool - A program that resolves the majority of player problems quickly.
One click is all it takes to update your player to the latest available firmware, and to give your player a clean bill of health.
Link: http://www.creative.com/products/mp3...me.asp region=
Note: You can also go to "Creative" "Support" "downloads" choose your MP3 Player type to obtain the latest firmware and software releases.
Note: On your Zen you can look under "System" & "Information" and then compare the firmware download
releases OR you can have the "MP3 Player Recovery Tool" (above) do it for you automatically.
Note: Creative Zen 4/8/6 GB "MP3 Recovery Tool" DOES NOT stop on a firmware comparison match.
Note: All firmware releases/revisons for the 4/8/6 GB Zen also works (is the same as) for the 2 GB & 32 GB Zen.
Recovery Mode - If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, it is recommended that you boot the player into its unique Recovery Mode, and then clean up, format or reload the firmware.
. The player is not detected in Creative MediaSource or Windows Media Player
2. The battery does not last as expected
3. Your computer stops responding during file transfers
4. There is a power outage during file transfers
5. There is an error about firmware
6. LCD displays a "Firmware Problem" message
7. Your player is not responding.
8. The player is performing erratically.
Getting Started
. Load your Creative Zen software from CD FIRST and BEFORE plugging the Zen MP3 player, using the short cable, into the PC USB port to charge it.
2. Try charging the Zen MP3 player directly from the USB port on the PC. If not, make sure the USB Hub you are using is adequately powered to provide full charging current to the Zen player. Also, try to have the Zen MP3 player as the only USB device, if possible, on the USB hub.
Some/most Creative Zen flash MP3 Music players come "fully discharged" so, in the mean time, just read the manuals.
FULLY charge the Zen MP3 player for several hours (~4.0 hrs max) until the battery symbol is NOT flashing AND the battery symbol/icon has a small plug/key symbol in the middle.
After the first full charge - additional charging is much quicker about 2 /4 hours. (From 0% empty to full)
3. Go to Creative/Support/Downloads and check for the latest software releases for the Creative Zen. Then check on your Zen MP3 player under System/Information for your firmware revision. Make sure you have the latest software downloaded on your PC and firmware on your Zen MP3 player. < Latest revision [.2.0] 28Feb08>
OR
You can run MP3 Player Recovery Tool - see above.
4. In some cases you might have to do the Recovery Mode "paper clip reset" to get the Zen MP3 flash player started.
See the Zen User's Guide FAQ. The paper clip reset hole is on the bottom edge below the music pause/run switch.
(Not the slotted mic hole on the top edge of the player near the earphone jack and SD card slot!!!)
5. My preference is to have the player shutdown/off before inserting and removing the earphone/headphone plug.
Recovery Mode Using The Paper Clip OR
Alternati've Method For Recovery Mode Without The Paper Clip.
Why use it's
If you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
. The player is not detected in Creative MediaSource or Windows Media Player
2. The battery does not last as expected
3. Your computer stops responding during file transfers
4. There is a power outage during file transfers
5. There is an error about firmware
6. LCD displays a "Firmware Problem" message
7. Your player is not responding.
8. The player is performing erratically.
Save a copy of your player's content, if possible, before cleaning up the memory!
Recovery Mode Using The Paper Clip Reset Method
#. Turn off player if not already turned off
#2. Press/hold play/pause button. If you accidentally release
the button, start this reset procedure over again.
#3. Gently push the end of a metal paper clip into the reset hole on
the botton edge below the play/pause switch.
(Do not use the slotted mic hole at the top edge near the earphone jack)
#4. Slide the on/off/lock switch towards the on position - slide it to the botton hold
until the display lights up and then release.
#5. The recovery mode screen appears and four menu items are shown - see below
<Alternati've Method For Recovery Mode Without The Paper Clip>
#. Turn off player if not already turned off
#2. Press/hold play/pause button. If you accidentally release
the button, start this reset procedure over again.
#3. Slide the on/off/lock switch towards the on position - slide it to the botton hold
until the display lights up and then release. Be patient and wait!
#4. The recovery mode screen appears and four menu items are shown:
< Clean Up> - cleans, rebuilds and reorganizes your player's memory and restores it to optimal efficiency.
When the cleanup is complete, select Reboot. Your player restarts and starts rebuilding its music library.
Note: Your player's firmware is reset to default settings after your player's memory is cleaned up.
Note: This procedure the hide/show password is reset.
<2 Format All>- Warning - Formatting your player erases all content on your player's memory and resets your player's firmware to default settings. If possible, back up all data on your player before proceeding.
Also, you can do this from the PC see Zen User's Guide. FAQ
<3 Reload Firmware> - Caution !!!! Selecting Reload Firmware erases your player's firmware.
DO NOT select Reload Firmware unless you have downloaded a newer firmware version for your player, or have been advised to do so by Creative Customer Support.
Note: My advice when loading/replacing firmware is to connect directly
to the PC USB port without using a USB hub.
<4 Reboot> Restarts the player just like the "on/off/lock switch" when switched ON.
Note: Having NO battery energy/charge/juice this procedure will not work.
Lithium-Ion Polymer Battery Hints
Ref:
http://www.omnica.com/omniview_electronics2.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_ion_battery
. Allow the battery to completely discharge from time-to-time then recharge it fully.
2. Lithium-Ion batteries loses about 5%- 0% capacity per month.
3. Lithium-Ion polymer batteries have about 300-500 discharge/charge cycles.
4. A half full battery indication (50% @ /2 the battery color) used up about 24 hrs worth of battery. Below 50% the indication goes fairly fast to the max of 30 hrs. Note: The battery level indication seems non-linear through out its range.
5. Battery is Empty~0% - warning screen will appear on LCD and player might shutdown.
6. Battery is Full- 00% with battery symbol NOT flashing AND plug/key symbol in the center of the battery.
7. It takes about 2 /4 hours to charge the battery from empty to full.
8. It takes about 4 hours max to charge a "New" Zen player shipped from the factory.
9. There is a battery manufactuer's failure rate, which is normal ~ % or less, in which the Lithium-Ion Polymer battery refuses to charge. Creative, ships the Zen MP3 players with some or no charge so there is very small probability that you could have one. I call it the "Deep Six Discharge Battery" Contact/call Creative for replacement.
Documentation
There are several pieces of documentation you might need to read to fully understand and use your Creative Zen MP3 flash player to its fullest capabilities.
#. Zen Users Guide "English" - For Zen MP3 Player - download from Creative/Support/Product documentation
#2. Zen Quick Users Guide /Front/Back - download from Creative/Support/Product documentation
#3. Sync Manager (Creative Zen) Click on sync symbol on PC task bar then help
#4. Creative Zen Media Explorer - Just look under the main help menu
#5. Windows Media Player <if used>(Microsoft)Use the help files with this program.
General Tips to increase/decrease the playing time on your Creative Zen flash player.
<Creative Battery Spec: 5 Hrs. Video & "UP TO" 30 Hrs. Audio/Songs>
Please do the following:
. Volume control lower/higher - higher volume settings will decrease playing times. This is logical. More output "volume power" decreases the battery juice.
2. Audio Settings: EQ, Smart Vol, & Bass Boost will effect your playing time but I believe they are not critical as the Volume & Bit Rates(28 kbsp and others) / File Format (MP3,WMA) & Lock Switch.
3. Bit Rates & File Formats Do Matter. Bit Rates and File formats will increase/decrease your playing time.
Per Catherina-CL
"WMA files will use up more power than MP3 files, and higher bitrates more so than standard ones (like 28kbps MP3). Best thing to do is rip an album in 28kbps MP3 and leave it playing in a loop on a normal volume level. See how long the battery lasts then."
Please Note: The main difference between MP3 and WMA is the compression. According to Microsoft a 64KBPS WMA file is the same quality 28KBPS MP3. This is of course up to a person's preference but you may find you can get better compression out of WMA.
4. FULLY CHARGE your Zen. This means the battery symbol is NOT flashing AND there is a plug/key symbol embedded within the battery symbol. The battery is 00% FULL under BOTH conditions. Having just the battery symbol all green will not do it.
From the link:
http://www.omnica.com/omniview_electronics2.htm
Regarding lithium-ion shelf life, one of our engineers recently met with a battery-house representati've. It has come to their attention that repeated charging and re-charging of a less than fully discharged Li-ion cell affects the battery "gas gauge" included with many devices. Over a number of cycles there is a resultant loss in accuracy. Frequently, the indicated remaining charge has little relationship to the actual amount of life left in the cell! Fortunately, according to the battery expert, the gauge will reset itself if the battery is allowed to completely discharge from time-to-time.
5. Having different types of earphones/headphones will increase or decrease the playing time by how much "electronic load" the earphones/headphones create on the Zen player. There are some power hungry earphones/headphones out there.
The 6 ohm earbuds conserves battery power more than the 32 ohm earbuds supplied by Creative. (About 0% more)
6. Always, always lock your Zen player while playing music. This cuts off the power drain from the color 2.5" LCD and blank the LCD screen. After all, you can't read the LCD screen if it is in your shirt pocket and playing music!
7. Make sure you have the latest firmware upgrades in order to get the best of your Creative Zen Flash MP3 Player.
Troubleshooting
Your Creative Zen is extremely complex.
Check this link to peek inside player http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archi...isassembly.php
Also, this link:
http://arstechnica.com/journals/hard...ssor-behind-it
There could be a million things that could go wrong with your player so you will not be the FIRST or LAST to have a problem. Keep in mind, there are many, many others that have the Zen with no problems whatsoever. Things happen, but Creative is there to help.
Dropping a Zen or any other player might/will/possibly ruin the player for good!!!
Since this player is solid-state (no moving parts e.g. mini-disk dri've) then the only thing that will keep it from running for years is the non-user replaceable Lithium-Ion battery. I will concentrate on some troubleshooting tips which are battery related but I hope you have already the latest firmware downloaded and installed on your player
Battery - Lithium-Ion Polymer
#. Battery won't charge "out of the box" new player.
A. First, read above "Getting Started"
B. Next, try a different USB mini cable.
C. Next, there is a battery manufactuer's failure rate < %, in which the Lithium-Ion Polymer battery refuses to charge.
Creative, ships the Zen MP3 players with no charge so there is very small probability thatyou could have one.
I call it the "Deep Six Discharge Battery" Call / Contact Creative.
#2. Battery won't charge properly after using the player for some time.
A. When you plug in your player into the USB port via mini USB patch cable, the connection resets the player to the "docked screen" with the battery level gas guage , in the right hand corner.
Sometimes this action does not reset the player properly but there is no indication to you that the player is charging.
Just disconnect/connect the USB cable again.
B. Sometimes, the Zen player gets confused and you have to do a Recovery Mode "paper clip reset" which forces the player into a "special menu screen" to clean-up the player and to reset the player which allows showing the "docked screen" while charging the unit. See Zen User's Guide for explicit instruction und FAQ.
C. Since the Zens came out late in 2007, the maximum of 300-500 charge/discharge should not apply YETbut users beware, as with any other Lithium-Ion Polymer battery it will not charge fully "like new"because of a " fixed shelf life" (2-3 yrs) OR too many charge/discharge cycles. A battery replacement is in order.
Methods of charging the Creative Zen MP3
. The short mini-standard USB cable provided by Creative from the factory. Plugs into a PC USB port.
2. Uni'versal Power Adapter (Creative) plugs into the wall. Works "anywhere in the world"
Note: Different countries have different wall AC voltages and hertz requirements. This has adapters for different countries/locations wall outlets and a uni'versal power supply for all voltage and hertz requirements.
Note: This is a heavy duty high/fast charging wall outlet charging adapter. (2400 ma)
3. Auto/Vehicle 2 VDC charger (Creative) or other compatible vehicle 2 VDC to USB charger.
4. EARHUGGER IPOD POWER POD - MP3-8370 (White compact module)
http://www.earhugger.com/powerPod.html
http://www.amazon.com/Earhugger-MP3-.../dp/B000QTTKSS
This compact module will solve all the following travel modes and conditions:
. Camping, hiking or outdoor travel - no PC or noAC or maybe no auto/car.
2. Airplane travel - no PC or no AC or no auto/car.
3. Train/subway travel - no PC or no auto/car
4. Car travel - no PC or no AC
5. Foot travel - no PC or no AC or no auto/car
It uses 4 ways to charge the Zen:
. Retractable mini-standard USB cord for PC charging. <--- does not communicate with PC! - only for charging
2. Retractable mini USB cord for auto/vehicle charging (Fused)
3. Retractable mini USB cord for wall 0-20 VAC 50/60Hz charging. (non-international use plug style)
4. 9 VDC battery terminal for using standard alkaline 9 VDC or high ma Lithium 9 VDC to charge the Zen via
mini USB cable. Note:You might need several alkaline batteries to charge the internal 550 ma hr Zen battery!
Great for remote destinations.
5. Rechargeable portable battery packs.
Black & Decker has several "Power To Go"models CPI0B-C & CPI20XB (not for international use because of 20 AC 60Hz only charging wall wart)
Note: There are other brands that also do this method of charging.
http://www.blackanddecker.com/Produc...Path=4033.4040
You charge this portable NiMH battery pack from the AC wall outlet so you can carry with you on trips to charge the Zen.
6. Mobile phone chargers. Some have a mini-USB plug for charging the phone but it could be used to charge the Zen BUT BEWARE IT COULD RUIN THE ZEN IF IT IS NOT COMPATIBLE! The output should have a voltage of 5 VDC +- 5% (4.75-5.25 VDC) ON THE PROPER MINI-USB PINS and a charging current at least 200 ma to 2400 ma. See this forum for the recommend phone phone chargers to use with the Zen.
Note: You are charging an internal Lithium-ion polymer 550 mahr battery in the Zen so the lower the charging current the longer it takes to charge.
Note: You will find that charging the Zen from the wall charger is much faster than the "current limited" charging on the standard PC USB port.
Note: For diagnostic purposes and emergency charging of the Zen it is wise to have an external (non-PC) charging device for your Zen.
Note: Only the battery charging symbol shows up on the Zen when using an external charger.
Scratches
All plastic screens will scratch, doesn't matter which type you have.
For minor scratches you could use the Novus three part cleaner, polish and scratch remover system. Do not use the #3 coarse abrasi've in this system! Be extremely careful in using this product !!!! Please check the web.
OR
Low abrasi've toothpase <--- some say this works
OR
CD scratch remover/repair kit <---- have not tried this.
The Zen (Flash) MP3 glass LCD screen is covered by the overlay plastic you see on the front. Worst case, you can have only the outer shell repaired and replaced by Creative.
To prevent scratches in the first place:
Use the Zen cloth bag which comes with the unit (sometimes ) to prevent scratches.
OR
Buy the Zen clear plastic case (Clear Case #70AB2600002). Sold by Creative.
OR
Buy an clear plastic overlay. (Screen protector #70AB2600003) which goes over the LCD protector screen for protection. Sold by Creative.
OR
Also, you can cut up a "generic" PDA screen protector to fit the Zen.
OR
Obtain a "digital camera lcd screen protector" from a camera store or internet
OR
"Invisible shield" -The best protection money can buy
http://www.zagg.com/invisibleshield/...ns-shields.php
How to destroy your Zen - WHAT NOT TO DO
. Leave it in the auto/car/vehicle - the vehicle inside heats up 20-35 F higher than the outside temperature.
2. Leave it outside in freezing temperature 0C 32F. The LCD will freeze/discolor/absorb water.
Note: It is remotely possible it could recover when warm-up at room temperature.
Note: Just keep the Zen near your body heat when outside in freezing temperatures.
3. Dropping it might cause the LCD screen to crack or loosen up the internal connections to the electronics or short out the internal electronics.
Note: Use a protecti've case to cushion the blow from dropping the Zen.
4. Dropping or submerging or getting the Zen wet in water might short out the electronics and battery.
You could prevent destruction by immediately shaking the Zen vigorously in open air to dry it out.
5. Sitting on it could flex the electronics and short or open circuits which would cause a defecti've/faulty Zen.
<A bit of humor ... There is No Santa Claus, Easter Bunny or Tooth fairy and Creative does NOT give away money. If you destroy or damage your Zen you will pay not Creative>
How can you tell if your Zen is defecti've/faulty
. A "white screen" or a "totally blank black screen" shows up on the Zen LCD.
2. You cannot force the Zen into the special "Recovery Mode" menu screen.
3. The Zen refuses to "take a charge"(To charge up the internal Lithium-Ion Polymer battery)
4. The Zen LCD is cracked or distorted due to dropping or handling abuse.
5. The Zen clock does not keep accurate time (within 2 mins max per month)
Contact Creative if any of the above faults occur - the Zen is bad and nothing you can do will fix it!
WSOD "White Screen of Death"
The "White Screen of Death" is really caused by a hardware problem. You see, the internal Freescale/SigmaTel STMP3700 MP3 processor has to write to the LCD. If this operation is prevented by internal electronic opens or shorts, bad STMP3700, locked-up firmware, bad LCD or any other electronic component failure then the CPU might/will halt and refuse to write to the LCD which will be reflected in a "white screen of death" I cannot cover all the causes of the "white screen of death" but rest assured Creative should pick these problems up in their quality control manufacturing process with a 99% success rate. Problems do show up after the manufacturing process but Creative has warranty protection for this other % fault rate. (Which is normal in electronics manufacturing)
Media Content
Listening to the built-in music on the Zen is OK but after a while your question now becomes "What else can I do with my Zen "
Note: The "How to" instructions for adding Media content can be found in the Zen documentation.
Terminology:
Album: Collection of tracks or songs under one "album" title.
Artist: Track or song artist
DRM: Digital rights management - copy protection scheme - Zen cannot use music with this music protection scheme. (itunes) (But "itunes plus" will work)
Genres: Type or kind of music
<The following genres are defined in ID3v>
Blues,Classic Rock,Country,Dance,Disco,Funk,Grunge,Hip-Hop,Jazz,Metal,New Age,Oldies,Other,Pop,
R&B,Rap,Reggae,Rock,Techno,Industrial,Alternati've ,Ska,Death Metal,Pranks,Soundtrack,Euro-Techno,
Ambient,Trip-Hop,Vocal,Jazz+Funk,Fusion,Trance,Classical,Instru mental,Acid,House,Game,Sound Clip,
Gospel,Noise,AlternRock,Bass,Soul,Punk,Space,Medit ati've,Instrumental Pop,Instrumental Rock,
Ethnic,Gothic,Darkwave,Techno-Industrial,Electronic,Pop-Folk,Eurodance,Dream,Southern Rock,
Comedy,Cult,Gangsta,Top 40,Christian Rap,Pop/Funk,Jungle,Nati've American,Cabaret,New Wave,
Psychadelic,Rave,Showtunes,Trailer,Lo-Fi,Tribal,Acid Punk,Acid Jazz,Polka,Retro,Musical,Rock & Roll,
Hard Rock
<The following genres are Winamp extensions>
Folk,Folk-Rock,National Folk,Swing,Fast Fusion,Bebob,Latin,Revival,Celtic,Bluegrass,Avantg arde,
Gothic Rock,Progressi've Rock,Psychedelic Rock,Symphonic Rock,Slow Rock,Big Band,Chorus,
Easy Listening,Acoustic,Humour,Speech,Chanson,Opera,Cha mber Music,Sonata,Symphony,
Booty Bass,Primus,Porn Groove,Satire,Slow Jam,Club,Tango,Samba,Folklore,Ballad,Power Ballad,
Rhythmic Soul,Freestyle,Duet,Punk Rock,Drum Solo,A capella,Euro-House,Dance Hall
<A bit of humor: I think the above Genres lists are missing two - "elevator music" & Crying and Whining e.g. Country Western>
ID3 Tags: Internal file information associated with an Mp3 or wav audio file. This format contains
Track number, Album name/title, Genre, Artist and Song Title which can be sorted and indexed by
the Zen device.
IPTV: Is a system where a digital television service is deli'vered using Internet Protocol over a network infrastructure, which may include deli'very by a broadband connection. http://zencast.com/
JPEG: Is a commonly used method of compression for photographic images.
This is the only photo format used by the Zen.
MP3 and WMA music tracks: Music format used by the Zen.
Note: Having the wrong bit rates will drain the Zen battery faster. (See above)
MP3: Is a digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression.
Non-protected AAC: Files are regular AAC files without any DRM: they can be converted to other formats (like MP3) and can be played on an unlimited amount of devices and burned an unlimitd amount of times. They have no restrictions.
Podcast: Is a series of digital-media files which are distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and computers. http://zencast.com/
Protected AAC: Files are AAC audio files that contain DRM (Digital Rights Management), most often music purchased from the iTunes store. The Creative Zen cannot use these files.
Note: "Itunes Plus Store" have songs without DRM which the Zen can use.
Ripping CDs: Copying tracks from an audio CD on a PC and downloading tracks to the Zen.
Note: Use the Creative Zen Media Explorer for ripping audio CD is one method.
Song Title: Name of song or track
Track Number: Numerical number of track of CD album.
Track: General name for song or song title.
Unprotected AAC format: Music format used by the Zen
WMA:Is an audio data compression technology developed by Microsoft. The name can be used to refer to its audio file format or its audio codecs.
WAV: (or WAVE), short for Waveform audio format, is a Microsoft and IBM audio file format standard for storing an audio bitstream on PCs.
Note: The Zen's built-in microphone produces this audio file format.
Zen Audio Format:MP3, WMA, WAV, non-protected AAC (.m4a), Audible (2, 3, 4)
Zen Media Content: Video, Music, Audio, Photos/Images transferred/dowloaded into the Zen
Zen Photo Format:JPEG
Note: You can copy/drag/paste JPEG photos from your PC to your Zen for viewing.
Note: You can import photos & view photos from the SD card.
Zencast Organizer: Seamlessly integrates ZENcast media files with Creative portable media players and/or your computer
Zen Video Format:MJPEG, WMV9 and (with transcoding - MPED4-SP, DivX 4/5 and XviD)
Warning - In some countries (including the US) its illegal to do:
Copying audio DVD & DVDs
Defeating DRM MP3 Music (Digital Rights Management)
Intercepting/copying (non purchased) music.
Downloading music/songs from an illegal or "free" rouge website.
General Media Content links:
http://pro-music.org/Content/GetMusi...lineStores.php
Note: Check to see if your music files/tracks contains ID3 tags.
Note: ZEN also supports iTunes Plus tracks from the iTunes store,
Note: The following media content is only a small fraction of means and ways
of collecting/dowloading media content to the Zen.
Media Content from Creative Website(s)
Note: The Media Content can be found under "Fill your Zen" on the bottom of the Creative Zen product page.
http://zencast.com/
ZENcast is the ultimate source for free IPTV channels, video blogs and podcasts on the Internet. It provides quick and easy access to a wide range of interesting and entertaining video and audio content online.
http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/cre...seBVCookie=Yes
Audible.com - Audible.comis the Internet s leading audio provider of bestselling audio books, comedy programs and today s most relevant magazines and newspapers
http://creative.vongo.com/
VONGO is the video download service that gives you instant access to over 2500 hit movie and video selections from Starz .
Watch movies whenever, wherever on your ZEN. A great entertainment venue for watching movies while on the road or on the go.
http://www.napster.com/creative/
Transfer unlimited music to your ZEN without paying per song.
With Napster To Go you can:
Choose from over 5 million songs, plus new releases every week
Play music instantly from any internet-connected computer
Find old favorites and discover new music by exploring playlists, radio, Billboard charts and more
Create a library of your favorite music and build custom playlists.
http://www.emusic.com/ZEN
Choose from over ,500,000 songs
Burn unlimited CDs
Compatible with every MP3 player
No confusing restrictions-Own your music!
http://www.lala.com/frontend/action/...=user:2672@223
Why pay 99per song when you can get the whole album for $At lala.com, you can trade your used CDs for new music.
.8 million titles available for trade. CD quality guaranteed.
Every CD you receive is yours to keep - no restrictions.
Pay only $ per CD received. No monthly fees or commitments. Sign up is FREE.
http://www.amazon.com/b/ &node=62663
Buy or Rent Movies Online
Watch DVD-quality video downloads on your PC or ZEN
Conveniently download from your PC at work to your PC at home
Discover thousands of TV shows & movies available for download
I started this thread in April 08 to help other new Creative Zen MP3 (Flash) users. If there are common threads that are posted from new users then I try to make a section to inform other new users in solving their similar problems. I cannot believe that this thread was viewed over 0,000 times! Thank you for your "viewing" support.
Please note: This thread is constantly changing so check back for any new helpful hints, problem solving, troubleshooting and practical solutions for the Creative Zen.
"The Creative ZenR O C K S"
Zenandy
Message Edited by Zenandy on 08--2008 08:26 AM

Hi,
I'm from germany so no 'best buy' but I think I will lock around sleeve/bag for a different product with same measures. Any tip?
The clear plastic case is not what I want. I would like to use the player without such protections. I just want a sleeve to protect the player while its in my jacket/pants.
Btw, i have bought this version: Creative Zen (maybe european version?). I also doesn't seem to have your mentioned sleeve. I also couldn't find it on the website.
Anyway, thank you,
Chris

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.

Zen touch 40gbs - News firmware - Probens with the new creative s

I have a big probems with this new suit.... I am trying to get some musics on my zen touch but when i click on organize media in this new suit, it opens a explorer but when i tried to copy the folder that i want to place on my computer it become empyt... anything inside...
then I tried with another program... Sync between pc and zen touch
It starts a creative sync manager but when i choose sync destination zen thuco FOR pc, after that i leave the audio checked and next... i setted the folder that i wanna leave my musics then i choose the "syncronized selected files" and i click on select tracks... but there another problem... It shows me just 0... 20 artists...becouse asked to sort by artists but i have on my zen touch more than 400 artists... i cant select the artists that i want to...
And with the explorer the folders with the artists become empyt or become with some files weard(any extantion). but when i asked to play the music ON my zen touch its ok...
Plz i wanna get my music and play on my computer how sould i do that without windows media player?

robertormpc wrote:But its not working... the mediasource its not working with this firmware this MediaSouce is not recognizing my zen touch... i update the media source for the last version
You didn't answer the question. Did you install that SPECIFIC download I mentioned? This is fundamental to get the Touch to work with MediaSource.

The new "Creative Zen&qu

Creative is came out with a new Creative zen. im not so sure if it out now or if its coming out soon.
but i was just wondering if anyone has it and can tell me if you can rotate the screen so it would be easy to click the buttons with your left hand...
the old muvo's alowed you to rotate the screen for better left handed controls so i was just wondering if i should spend the money on this.

JK23 wrote:
"although it is a nice player it leaves Creative's current line-up with no large HDD player "?How much storage do you need? I could understand that if a player has hundreds of hours of battery life then having a huge storage capacity would be useful. With 25 hours for music or 5 hours for video, how many hours of entertainment do you need?
You're not thinking outside the box. Imagine having a collection of 300 albums connected to your home stereo. Without the hassle of sorting through hundreds of CD.
The convience of being able to travel with that collection anywhere you wanted, such as a school dorm, saving alot of free space in the room.
As for battery life, well you don't have to use a battery in every scenero, if you have it plugged into a stereo system then just use the AC Adapter.
Creative needs to start increasing the size of the HDD players an support lossless codecs.Message Edited by TimT on 09-25-200709:32 AM

New Creative ZEN Firmware 1.21.03" firmware does not work

>New Creative ZEN Firmware .2.03" firmware does not work This new "Creative ZEN Firmware .2.03, Filesize : 7.6 MB" firmware does not work.
All I get is : "Please make sure there is only one player connected" (See image below)
I have a CreativeZen 4GB player with Vista 64-Bit Operating system (Main System).
Yes, I have followed the instructions step-by-step, downloaded the new firmware first, then, connected my ZEN player, double-clicked the "ZEN_PCFW_L22__2_03" downloaded file.
Note : No other programs were running in the backround, even turned off installed firewall and anti-virus software. Also, tried this new firmware in a Windows XP (SP2) computer system and a Notebook Vista 32-Bit computer system. Yes! I only have one player connected. Same result (See image below).
I left it sit for one hour and did not move, same result (See image below).
I tried this in safemode (All OS systems), same result (See image below).

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:

Zen micro media explo

i got the new firmware for my zen micro 5 gb. since then zen micro media explorer wont work so i'v had to use the Creative MediaSource Organizer and i dont like it. Is there a way for me to update Zen Micro Media Explorer so i can organize my player in a easier way or is there a better organizing program?

Triple post, that's annoying.
http://forums.americas.creative.com/creativelabs/board/message?board.id=dap&message.id=07464
http://forums.americas.creative.com/creativelabs/board/message?board.id=dap&message.id=0746

Using new Creative Zen without Zen Media Explo

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