Zen Micro "Firmware Problem" - One solution and what to do BEFORE it happ

My Zen Micro 6GB recently croaked with the dreaded "firmware problem" message. After a call to support, I was told to send it in, however I was later able to connect to the unit and download new firmware.
Here's what happened:
In the middle of a playlist, the unit froze, displaying "firmware problem."
- I took the battery out and powered up in recovery mode, then tried both reboot and reforomat. No luck; Still got "firmware problem."
- I downloaded firmware updates, thn connected the unit to my laptop, which does not have MTP media explorer installed. The laptop does have Yahoo Music Engine and Windows Media 0, both of which are used regularly to copy music to device.
- The computer recognized the Zen Micro, but the firmware update did not run, saying it could not connect to the device.
- Retried several times, after reformatting, etc.
Now, here's what seemed to fix it
- Let the battery drain completely while in the unit
- Connected the Zen Micro to a computer with the MTP media explorer already installed. This is a system that is also used to regularly download music to the device.
- Allowed the battery to charge for an hour
- Started MTP media explorer, noticed that device went into "Recovery Mode"
- Ran the firmware upgrade and it installed.
This is conjecture, but it seems that the MTP media explorer must be running to launch the firmware upgrade, but you can't install MTP without a valid device connected. I don't know why this is - maybe some kind of copy protection scheme. I only had it installed on one of my computers because it seemed unnecessary and I hate loading software that I'm not going to actually use.
This is what worked for me. Hope it works for you.
I'm still really disappointed with Creative's warranty terms, lack of phone support past 60 days and failure of tech support to recognize the problem and offer a solution, but my unit is working again and I didn't have to send it back!

By "MTP media explorer", do you mean the MTP/PlaysForSure version of Zen Micro Media Explorer? The earlier versions say "(for MTP devices)"; the latest ones say "(for PlaysForSure devices)". Or do you mean the Microsoft "MTP icon" in My Computer, which should appear on all MTP-capable systems (including your laptop)?
I don't really think it's a DRM or copy protection issue; I think the "firmware problem" is wiping out the hardware code the firmware installer uses to confirm that the device is indeed a Micro instead of, say, an iRi'ver. I suspect ZMME is one of the alternate means it uses to confirm that a Micro is connected. (An issue for further testing is whether ZMME should be launched or just installed.) Firmware fails on all kinds of devices; I suspect this is just a peculiarity of Creative's MTP/Janus firmware installer.
This is likely to be a significant issue for the FAQs and/or Creative knowledge base. With a growing number of MTP/Janus players in the Creative lineup (Sleek, MicroPhoto, and shortly Touch & Xtra), it probably won't be just a Micro issue in the future.
Edit: I just read the other thread, and they seem to solve it by going to a system without Creative software and installing the ..0 firmware. So there seems to be two solutions for now:
If you don't have any Creative software installed, reload firmware and run the ..0 upgrade. (If you need 2.x firmware, then install the Creative jukebox driver and run the 2.20.05 upgrade; you can uninstall the driver afterwards. Sorry, but some of us need 2.x firmware.)</LI>
If you have the 2.x ZMME installed, open it, then reload firmware and run the 2.20.05 upgrade.</LI>
Message Edited by RBBrittain on 0-9-2005 0:06 PM

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Need Help Urgently Zen Micro "Firmware Problem&qu

Hello,
I've had my Zen Micro for a year now and due to a "screw up" when i start my player it displays the error "Firmware Problem" and start up in recovery mode. When I try to reload the firmware the update application on my pc it says "Your player is not connected" now can I fix this so I can start using my wonderful Zen again?
PC Specs If needed: Windows Media Center Service Pack 2

Thanks for the reply, but that firmware download doesn't work for me. As I said in my original post, my player is not recognized as being connected when it is. It is not my computer because Jukebox opens up when it detects the device and it is listed among my removable hardware.
I've downloaded the software, but nothing happens after the "select your language" prompt. It just says "Your player is not connected please connect your player" with a grayed out 'Upgrade' button and a darkened 'Close' button. I've tried unplugging and reconnecting the USB, but it still doesn't recognize that it's there.
Anyone else have an idea?Message Edited by lizzievee on 02-04-2007:29 AM

Zen Micro "Firmware Problem&qu

Okay guys, I need your help. I have a 4 GBsilver Zen Micro (not photo). This is my second one. The original one had headphone jack issues. So I've had this unit for about 0 months. Now, yesterday I was listening to the Talking Heads when it froze up. I didn't drop it, it just froze. So I took the battery out and put it back in. It said Rebuilding Library. Okay, fine,. this has happened before. But, then the status bar froze up about 3/4 the way to the end. Then about 3 minutes later, the screen says "Firmware Problem." What should I do? Should I reinstall the firmware? Where do i get it from?

Thanks for the reply, but that firmware download doesn't work for me. As I said in my original post, my player is not recognized as being connected when it is. It is not my computer because Jukebox opens up when it detects the device and it is listed among my removable hardware.
I've downloaded the software, but nothing happens after the "select your language" prompt. It just says "Your player is not connected please connect your player" with a grayed out 'Upgrade' button and a darkened 'Close' button. I've tried unplugging and reconnecting the USB, but it still doesn't recognize that it's there.
Anyone else have an idea?Message Edited by lizzievee on 02-04-2007:29 AM

Zen Micro Firmware problems ***FIXED

Like many of you I had the problem of updating my firmware, only to have it fail and then read "Firmware error" when you try to restart the device. The end result is what appears to be a dead Zen Micro and the PC cannot recoginze it. Well with the help of SSR I finally fixed the problem.
** Please note I am using Windows XP Pro with Service Pack 2 installed
"Firmware error"
The way to fix it is simple. Download and reinstall Windows Media Player 0. I already had it installed, but I reinstalled it anyway. Then go into your Device Manager and right click on your !Creative Zen Mirco and update the drivers. The system will now find the new drivers (MTP?MPT?) and you have connectivity with your Zen again.
Now you'll want to rollback the firmware to .0. You can try to do 2.2 but it will fail every time because the device thinks you already have it, and overriding it will result in "firmware update failed".
Once you have .0 installed again, you can then update the firmware to 2.2.
After it is installed, take out the battery and boot into recovery mode. Choose REBOOT as your option and nothing else. This will rebuild the file library and complete your firmware upgrade.
Now you have a Zen Micro 2.2 that your COMPUTER will detect but your software will not. That said, you need to go to the download section and download the following software.
Creative Zen and NOMAD Jukebox plugin 2.00.20 for Creative MediaSource (9.72 MB)
Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer 3.30.2
Creative Zen Micro Media Explorer Web Update
Creative MediaSource Plugin for PlaysForSure devices (version .00.8)
I reccomend installing then each one at a time, then rebooting as the system says and moving on to the next one.
When you are all finished, plug in your Zen Micro and it should be working. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Message Edited by eazysct on 2-3-2005 07:50 AM
Message Edited by eazysct on 2-3-2005 08:27 AM

dennis75 wrote:
Hi,
I also have the problem with the recognition of my zen micro by my PC.
It started when I tried to update to firmware version 2.2.02.
During the update-procedure... it would not go any further, so after half an hour of waiting I clicked on close.
Since then My pc does not recognize my zen!!
When I look at my info in the zen it says it has 2.2.02 installed.
I have tried the following already:
) Install firmware ..0 -> Did not work because it says: please attach zen.
2) ReInstall MediaPlayer 0 -> Did not work... still: "no machine attached".
3) Go to device manager and update driver -> Here it can see the zen and i updated the driver, but still..when I try to update the firmware back to ..0 it says: please attach zen.
PLEASE HELP!!!
Best regards,
Dennis
Just to eliminate one possibility: do you have Windows XP with Service Pack or 2 and Windows Media Player 0 installed on your computer? The reason I ask is that Version 2.x firmware will not work with other versions of Windows or WMP.

Zen Micro: firmware problem with 2.00.

Hello,
I just bought the Zen Micro and did an upgrade of its firmware to 2.00.2 before playing around with it.
I then ripped CDs using WinMP 0 and tried to sync the device.
After around 30 songs, the Zen Micro did not accept any more songs.
I also tried the Zen explorer way by copying files directly to the device.
Same problem after about 30 songs, the device stops responding...
Any clue?
Thank you
Nicolas

First easy thing to try is a disk cleanup. To access the Rescue Mode on the Zen Micro, remove the battery, hold the power switch to the "on" position, reinsert the battery. Choose Disk Cleanup from the menu. Note: Disk cleanup should not remove your tracks. It searches through the disk for files and rebuilds the index, and can be useful for correcting any strange behaviour.
If that doesn't help, and to check if there is an issue between your PC and the player, try and find another PC you can test with. If the other PC works OK this suggests a USB incompatibility, so the quick solution might be to buy a good quality PCI USB card like Adaptec or Belkin. Not a wonderfully elegant solution, but USB cards are generally cheap and it might solve the issue immediately.

Zen Micro Firmware Problem.. HE

hi.
i just baugth recently the Creative Zen Micro 6G, about 2-3 monthes ago.
two weeks ago the battery started making problems it wouldn't relode it self with any posible USB.
after i tried again and again it suddenlly workd, but the device said "Firmware Problam" and it went straigth to "Recovery Mode" which has the next options:
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2. Format All
3. Relode Firmware
4. Reboot
i tried them all but nothing is making it relode the firmware even when the device is connected to the comp.
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To reload the firmware follow the advice here in the Zen FAQ at Nomadness.net.

Zen Micro firmware problem

I installed my new firm ware on monday and things were going good until about thursday my zen micro would shut off for no reason in the middle of a song when i turn it back on its turns back off right away so i have to remove the battery to fix it but after an hour of use its turns off again unexpectedly. i hope i dont have get an rma. is it the new firmware? i never had any problems before please help

I have had my zen micro about 3 weeks now or a month im not sure. well i installed firmware on it and i think its the lastest version its 2. and today i was listening 2 it and all of a sudden it stopped so i turned it off then back on and the first thing that pops up is firmware problem. so i go here and do all the ste
ps.
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Zen Micro - Firmware Problem on start

Hi, I have recently begun getting an error on my Zen Micro about a "Firmware Problem". When I switch on my MP3 Player it goes into the normal startup procedure, Copyright and?Creative logo but than I get an error message saying, "Firmware Problem". When in this error message I am unable to do anything, the computer will not detect it and I cannot get into safe mode or the main menu. Please help!

Go to the website download page and download firmware version .xx.xx. Disconnect the player from the computer and access the player Rescue mode. Select Reload OS option and wait for prompting to connect the player. After that, run the firmware update you have downloaded.
Jason

Creative Zen Micro Firmware problem: "Device not connected, please connect your devi

After an exhausti've search, I've found the fix for losing your firmware and not being able to update it via download from the creative.com. To explain my problem, I had issues with my device connectivity, so I tried to option of reloadinging my firmware via Recovery Mode (option 3, 'Reload Firmware'). After selecting this option, I tried to download and update my firmware via the creative.com website. The module to update my firmware displayed the error message "Device not connected, please connect your device." After about 2 hours of trying various suggested fixes, I found a relati'vely easy fix by running together various suggestions I found for other problems. First rollback your Windows Media Player (WMP) via the instructions found on this page: http://www.auditmypc.com/uninstall-m...layer0beta.asp. Restart your computer after rolling back WMP.
When your compter restarts, insert the "playsforsure" CD labeled "Easy Start CD." Follow the directions for reinstalling WMP. After WMP is reinstalled, restart again. When the computer restarts, return to the CD and follow the directions in the prompt. Reconnect your device when prompted. Once you reconnect your device, it may not function right away. If this is the case, go to the 'Start' button, under 'Control Pannel,' select 'System.' Under 'System' select 'Hardware' and then 'Device Manager.' Find your portable device under 'Uni'versal Serial Bus controllers.' Click on your device and select 'Uninstall' from the small icons at the top of the window. When this is completed, unplug and plug your device back in. After this is done, click on 'Scan for hardware changes,' also a small icon at the top of the window. If your device had the problem mine did, it should now be recognized. Go back to the Creative website and download the latest firmware. The module should now find your player without any problems.
The only thing I can figure is that the "playsforsure Easy Start CD" must have a device driver that solves the problem that you can't find anywhere else. I hope this helps someone out there (tech support was telling me that I was going to have to ship my device back to the company I bought it from to get it exchanged...which would have taken at least a month, I'm sure). Good luck to you all.

For all of you non-technical Micro owners:
I found a fix for this that I hope will help others out.
When I want to Sync tracks to My Zen using Yahoo Jukebox or WMP, I simply reboot my machine with the device PLUGGED IN. After Windows starts up, my applications recognize that the Zen Micro is connected. Good Luck.

Creative Zen micro: "Firmware Problem&qu

hey, i have a Creative zen micro (orange, 6gb but i think it doesent matters"), but when i turn it on, it says "Firmware problem".
and it goes to the menu (think is called Recovery menu) and it shows:
Creative Zen Micro V0.0.65
1.Clean Up
2.Format all
3.Reload frimware
4.Reboot
now creative tells me to download a new firmware.
i did.
then to "RELOAD FIRMWARE"
and click on the upgrade, but then it says that there is no player connected, and my compuer does recognize it.
is there any way to fix this or is my zen busted?

I had a simalar problem with my Zen xtra, if it failed durng a firmware update and its stuck in recue mode try this:
Remove all creative software and drivers from your P.C
remove windows media player and media player runtime ( from control panel/add/remove programs - if you have them listed there) you should see it go through a rollbackl procedure to an earlier version of wiondows media player.
Downlaod the latest firmware for your player
Re-boot/re start your P.C
Go to the creative support website, and download the plays for sure software suite
listed as:
. Creative MediaSource Plugin for PlaysForSure devices (version .00.8)3.98 MB 28 Apr 05 
install the software by clicking on it.
RE-boot your P.C, with your player conected via USB
once your P.C re-starts, go to the location where the firmware was downloaded to and get ready to start the upgrade
Copnnect your player to its charger ( unless it charges via USB)
On your player slect the reload OS option in the rescue menu
When prompted by your player start the firmware update on your PC.
with the Zen xtra firmware you had/need to select the language option in the update on the P.C when the p[layer displays the 'update over USB' message.

Zen micro firmware problems, HELLLLP pleeee

i hope someone can help me...
i just got a zen micro for christmas
and it was working great
then today i was listening to a song, and i hit the pause button to hear something my dad was saying, and it didn't pause, i tried again, no luck. so i pulled the battery out and put it back in, and the screen says Firmware Problem and wont respond to anything i do. I tried downloading new firmware, but my computer like doesnt read the connection, when i plug it in nothing happens.
has this happened to anyone else?
can anybody help me?
help is much appriciated
seriously.
thank you!

nevermind i figured it out by myself
i just deleted my old firmware, and downloaded new.
is that correct?
well, it works. so it probably is right.
if not...oh well.
im floppy finished. :smileytongue:

Which version of Zen Micro firmware is the best and w

Which one of those should I install and why:
.02.05 ,
2.00.2 , or
2..02 Beta Release ?

In my opinion, 2..02 Beta Release.
Been using it since it came out. No problems, no bugs, no conflicts.
It has MTP, napster features. Definitely beat v firmwares.
MTP is great, organize your albums in folders, etc to obtain neatness for yourself.
I just use the "Organize Music in device" in Zen Media Explorer to make playlists. I find the "Create new playlist" more annoying and harder.
Highly Recommend 2..02 Beta.Message Edited by Arcinthesky on 04-08-2005 04:55 AM

Have a Zen Micro (6GB) - Lost Software CD and Firmware update confuses me. Please he

I bought my Zen Micro about 7 months ago and have been using it fine until recently formatted my computer and realized I've lost my software cd (the one that comes with the player).
I tried downloading the Creative MediaSource Organizer/Player (version 3.30.2) and updating the firmware (thereby loosing all the songs I had saved in there. Ugh.) in my Zen Player and in the beginning MediaSource still wouldn't pick up my Creative Player. Then, I don't know why, it now works...but it works like a normal External HardDri've or a PenDi've would! It not longer has that menu thing (where there's a list of artist and albums) at the left side but simply folders under the Creative Player.
Does anyone know where I can get the old firmware and download the required software? I greatly prefer the way my player worked before I updated the firmware/software and I would like to just have that back even if it doesn't have as much features or whatever came with the upgrade. (iTunes or something. Has no idea what that is.)
Also, does Creative have a Service Center in Malaysia (specifically Kuala Lumpur) and can anyone tell me where it is or give me the phone number to call? I'm still under my warranty but this site doesn't list a number to call although they say they give Telephone Support until the warranty expires.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Cherish
Edit: BTW, I have tried emailing Customer Support but so far, no reply, and that was...2 weeks ago, I think? And, like I said, the Customer Support section in this site doesn't list any numbers/Service Centers which is why I'm asking...Message Edited by cherish90 on 02-06-200705:25 PM
Edit the second: Does anyone know if the confirmation email that Creative is supposed to send to your account after you send them an email isn't working? Because I just double checked my inbox and I realized I never got any confirmation letter. And I'm very sure I didn't accidentally delete it.Message Edited by cherish90 on 02-06-200707:38 PM

LOL. I've sent in my player. FINALLY found the Service Center (for those in KL who want to know, it's in Berjaya Amoda, behind Low Yat and opposite Times Square) after asking the shop I bought the player from.
And the guy who I talked to called their HQ or whatever and said that neither of the messages I sent (I sent 2; one shortly after I started this thread) were recorded/received on their end although I DID get the "Your message has been sent" page after clicking on the 'submit' button. And yeah, I used this email too. *confused* Maybe Creative doesn't work with Mozilla Firefox (the browser I'm using)? I think that's kind of lame, though, because FireFox is like practically as big as EI now and it's more user-friendly (the tabs are uber cool IMHO). Unless Creative has some sort of problem with Mozilla...
*cough*
ANYWAY...
Yeah, I did download the PlayForSure plugin (although I have no idea what it's for) and MediaSource STILL picked up my Micro as something like a pendri've.
Never mind, though. The guy I talked to - never got his name... - said that once you've upgraded the firmware to the latest (which is the one that needs all these weird plugins and makes the device an MTP [I THINK that's what it's called] device) you can't change the firmware back to the old one unless they send it in. So I'm sending it in. And I think they'll replace the software CD for me too, so that's all good.
Thanks anyway, Jason.
Cherish

Zen Vision 30GB Firmware Problem - No solution wo

I have a Zen Vision 30GB (not a Zen Vision M or W, just a Zen Vision). On Friday I was trying to add songs to my Zen and halfway through adding the songs I got an error on the computer saying "player not connected". So I undocked the player, turned it off and reset my computer. Saturday morning I turned on my Zen to try to add songs again and I got the error message on my Zen?"Firmware Problem" and it put me in "Recovery Mode". The first thing I did was try to reload the firmware, but when I plugged the Zen to the computer it says "docked", but I cannot move through the menu. When I unhook it from the computer I can move through the menu. BTW I am running Windows Vista 32-bit. I have uninstalled the Zen software and installed the software off the Creative website for Vista, but when I try to run the firmware it says "Player not connected, please connect player."? When I plug the player in via USB my computer recognizes it and prompts me if I want to sync my player, so there isn't anything wrong with my USB connection. The?Device Manager recognizes it however Windows Media Player does not. I get the same error message when I try to do the Recovery Tool on the Creative website. I have looked for solutions on the forums and just doing Google searches, but I have not been able to get anything to work. Please help me!? The player is less than a year old. I have never had any problems with it before, never been dropped or anything like that, so i am not sure what is going on. Any help or suggestions would be great!? I sent an email to customer support yesterday and the reply I received this morning was no help. First they thought I had the Zen Vision M, even though I specifically said I had the Zen Vision and gave them the serial number and everything. I sent them back a message today and hopefully they can help, but it is frustrating having to send an email and wait around for a reply.

Re: Zen Vision 30GB Firmware Problem - No solution works\ I recently had this problem with a player i got off Ebay. What I did was format>cleanup>reboot the device thru the recovery screen on the the player. Problem solved . Be advised this will erase all the files (music ect.) http://forums.creative.com/creativel...ap&thread.id=3
Dragonboy wrote:
I seem to have a very similar problem as you. I have a zen vision m (30g) and i also use vista. I am getting the message "firmware problem" after is tries to "rebuild". I need some major help. I ended up giving up a while ago and bought a microsoft zune. It is not as good and i miss my zen. If anyone can give me some info it would be much appreciated.

Zen Micro - TouchPad problem and 2 suggest

Hi all,
i've bough Zen Micro just a week ago, and it works well with the standard song inside it.
then, installed the CD, upgrade all by support download and also upgrade the firmware.
When i've unplugged USB my touchpad seems not responding, also the power button. the only method to turn off it is removing the battery. -.-"
the only think that works are the volume (just up and down, but not click) and the hold on position. the other think outside the pad seems works well, it can connect to PC, can delete file, and so on.
i just put it without battery some days and when try to re-use, it works perfectly!
now i've upgrade the firmware to .0 and go back to the official released avaiable, and that happens again! but now also the volume pad don't work at all...
I think that it's only a software problem, but i can't reboot the player because my pad don't works !!!
but when i insert the battery and press the hold on the rescue menu appears, but the same button don't work for turn the zen off.
What can i do ?
Can have the 4 safety menu option via software? (suggest)
oh another stupid think, OT : when register in creative support, plz make the text box with the term of use readonly, because i can delete all the condition and press AGREE, so i think i virtually have no condition
sorry for my bad english,
regards

Lord_Dalamar wrote:
but when i insert the battery and press the hold on the rescue menu appears, but the same button don't work for turn the zen off.
If the controls aren't working in Rescue Mode the player is faulty unfortunately. You need to contact Creative Support.

Zen Micro "Firmware Problem" - One solution and what to do BEFORE it happ

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