Zen Touch: problems starting, touchpad, new firmw

Question

This is a description, in chronological order, of the issues I have had with the Creative Zen Touch player.
. Bought player, charged exactly as described and player would not get past Zen Touch screen. Tried everything without success, had player swapped by **bleep** Smith.
2. WMA and data files added to new player without any problems. Players seems to work well.
3. More files added, but I started receiving an error when trying to copy files to the player from the computer. It seems that the player requires significant power to talk to the computer, this problem was more prevalent on a computer with USB .. A full battery charge will work but this will be drained quickly, so the best bet is to plug the player into the mains while it is docked with the computer. This should be added to the manual.
4. Player seems to work well from that time till the past week.
5. Installed newest firmware a week or more ago.
6. During the past week there was one day when the touchpad would not work properly. This problem was that moving between items becamse very cumbersome. I would move to a selection, but when I lifted my finger, the selection would jump two places lower. If I just touched the touchpad, the selection would jump two places lower. This problem rectified itself a day later.
7. Tried to start player as per normal but it would not start. Used reset buton, player started and had at least two thirds of battery (ie I guess that the problem starting was not battery related).
8. The next day, the same problem occurs, but reset would not work. Tried many means of starting player, until plugging into mains. Player starts and shuts down as per normal within a short period of time. Waiting significantly longer and the problem starting the player will arise.
9. Went to special menu on player and cleaned up player then rebooted. Player seems to work.
0. Next day player will not start. Tried pressing and holding down the start button for a long time, pressing many times in a short period, using reset button, using reset with play/pause button. Eventually tried mains, which brought the Creative logo onto the screen with no backlight, player did not even try to charge itself (ie flashing led on start/shutdown switch). I left player plugged into the mains and came back to find it charging. After this, the player started.
. Later in the day, I tried unsuccesfully to start player without success, using all possible tricks as mentioned. Went to inspect player a while later and it had was playing.
2. Now I have found that if I do not actually perform a shutdown and the player switches itself off using the idle settings, it will start up more easily, but not the first time. It seems that the touchpad problem (read above) has returned, but not as bad as before, in conjunction with the player being slightly easier to start (up to 5 attempts at pressing start).
Theories:
- When player is shut down it stays in a quick start mode for a period of time. During this time, if player is started, it will quickly start up and begin playing. After this time, a procedure automatically changes so that a more full startup is required during the next start-up, eg parking hard dri've or something else.
- When a player is shutdown from idle, a different shutdown happens, allowing easier startup later.
- The player in question is having difficulty starting from this second mode.
- Start/Stop button not jammed or working. Unlikely because I can shut down using the button
- Player not receiving startup message. Possible, but unlikely because reset does not work and theory .
- Battery not strong enough to perform initial startup? Feasible option given that the only time the player could start was when plugged into mains. However, player does have 2/3 of life left, which does not make any sense, unless the battery indicator is faulty. Fully charging the battery did not make a difference. Thus, max output of battery may have diminished.
- Hard dri've faulty. I am not hearing any hard dri've sounds when attempting a startup, so this is unlikely, since once player is started, everything works.
- New firmware is problematic. Explains sudden change in player's working. However, when I went to downgrade the firmware it said that the files may be corrupted by going back a version, yet to test.
- New firmware requires a hard disk format to work properly. Was this fully tested by Creative before release? Ie, did they put 0 gig of music on a Touch, then upgrade the firmware and see if the player continues to work correctly for a reasonable period?
- Player is a first time release with unironed bugs trying to capture the overflow from iPod, and we are the testers.
To Creative,
I am reasonably upset by this turn of events. I chose the Creative player over the iPod because of the battery life, reported music quality, ability to play more formats and the added storage. However, I would prefer a more durable player to what I appear to have in my possession. I believe I have given a reasonable description of the player and its problems, which should assist, unless the problem is already known. Please advise me of my options Creative.

Answer 1

Slats325 wrote:
Number 6 has turned out to be my electronic albatross. I have attempted every concept that I have read on this board: wiped down the keypad with a towel, damp cloth, bought a plastic case in an attempt to ward off static electricity, reset the unit, cleaned up the hard dri've, etc.. The fact remains that the unit jumps when it wants to. Very disconcerting. I have decided that since Creative is well aware of the issue and is maintaining corporate silence, that I should just cut my losses and buy an iPod. Tested one at an Apple store last night and was impressed with the control and functionality of their click wheel. It is a real shame as I truly think this Zen Touch was a cool idea but has consistently lacked support and follow up by Creative.
Haha remember that poem...rhyme of the ancient mariner...good to see other cultured fellows...
anyways I too have been haveing the jump problem. I've gotten somewhat accustomed to it, but I simply can't wish I had an iPod....its control is so much better. My friend said that this was how the iPod was at first, but then it got better. Now whether this was a software problem (I hope so) or an actual hardware issue (I'm going to be ticked if they don't replace it), I don't know. They better rectify it.
I wrote them a huge, uber persuasi've, rhetorically packed essay about why they must fix this problem if they wish to ever be on the same playing field as apple.
and I never got a reply.
so we'll see what happens. they better fix it.