Formating mp3/mp4 player

[Garcia1538]

I'm planning to format my mp3/mp4 player (Cowon D2+) because I suspect there is some kind of virus in it. And I worry that after formatting system disk I won't be able to turn in on, on the Internet I have found firmware update not base firmware for this model. Or could it be that firmware is hardwired into the hardware and there is now way I can wipe it out, so there is no worry. In general formatting mp3 players is safe ?

 

[DigDog]

that device is basically made up of 1. firmware and 2. storage. just wipe the storage.
firmware is so called because it is "firm", and while it *can* be changed, it's done in a way which is not accessible to the process that deletes files.

why do you say you think you have a virus? that would need to be a very specific virus, and i don't really see the utility in designing something like that.

 

[Garcia1538]

that device is basically made up of 1. firmware and 2. storage. just wipe the storage.
firmware is so called because it is "firm", and while it *can* be changed, it's done in a way which is not accessible to the process that deletes files.

why do you say you think you have a virus? that would need to be a very specific virus, and i don't really see the utility in designing something like that.

If I understand correctly, can I just format system drive of the player and it will turn on normally and everything will be working as usual - this is a little strange because on the mentioned system drive there is folder named 'System' so in some sense it will be wiped out.

P.S. Yes, you are right, it's not a virus. Viruses are programs built for OS's which are common. It's probably some file system error.

 

[DigDog]

ok, the correct answer is: i do not know.

you shouldn't need a system folder in your disk, but maybe your mp3 machine has some additional features. in this case, i would suggest getting the base files from the company http://www.cowonglobal.com/zeroboar...range=headnum&bmenu=M&desc=asc&no=397&bmenu=M
delete everything, and then update the firmware.
you can also use the factory reset detailed here: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/629036/Cowon-D2Plus.html?page=21

what sort of symptoms are you getting on your device? what's wrong with it??
it could be whatever the equivalent of bad sectors is, for a flash memory machine. when you get those, there's nothing you can do, really.

 

[Garcia1538]

Symptoms are not serious just some repeated folders and some useless folders with strange names consisting of many special characters. Player is working just fine.
"i would suggest getting the base files from the company " That link only gives firmware upgrade (update) not base firmware, for example we can't update Windows 10 if don't have Windows installed, does similar reasoning apply here? Factory reset won't help in this case because it resets firmware personalization settings, i have a problem with firmware itself.

 

[DigDog]

if you update the firmware, it wipes the previous firmware. each firmware is a complete OS. (kind of)