What to do? Bought a MP3 player off Craigslist and it's not working properly??

[nakedfrog]

Man, it sounds like you've got a big problem. We'd better dispatch a waaaahmbulance.
Beyond emailing Creative, did you look for solutions on their site?

 

[mchammer187]

the only thing USB 2.0 says is speeds up to 480 Mbps

no device ever hits this

and

there is no guaranteed minimum

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: Brassman
No, I still want a Zen Micro... had one before this without any problems.. it transferred songs quick.

How are you transferring music? What program?

 

[Savij]

Originally posted by: dabuddha
I think the seller really isn't at fault here. He advertised the product with the same specs that the manufacturer advertises it. From an earlier post, it seems like it's a known hardware problem (overall, not just this particular unit) which is not in the Seller's control. Unless I missed something.

I haven't done the research so I'm going from what I picked up in this thread, but I think the seller isn't really at fault here. If it's a known issue that appears on many (maybe not all but enough for reviewers to mention it, then it sounds like a decent number of the players) then I think its reasonable to stop bugging the seller about it. Learn to read the reviews closely when buying used items or from smaller sellers because they can't offer refunds just because you don't like the item. If they misrepresented the item that's one thing, but I don't think that is the case here.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: Brassman

Originally posted by: suse920

Originally posted by: Savij

Originally posted by: DBL
I think you need to contact Creative about this.

Review

Performance
Although the Zen Micro comes with a USB 2.0 interface, we found music transfer to be much slower than we expected and noticeably slower than other hard drive based music players we have tested in the past. We transferred the same album to both the iPod Mini and the Zen Micro, and the results where surprising. They both use USB 2.0, but the Zen Micro seemed like it was transferring at USB 1.0 speeds. The iPod Mini took about 2 seconds to transfer each song, where the Zen Micro took between 8 to 10 seconds per song, depending on size.

Hmmm, if it's just a design problem then i don't think it's the sellers fault.

good find. Looks like the payer just sucks, not the buyer

This is not true... I had a Zen Micro before this one without any problems transferring songs at 2-3 secs each.

1. Select 5GB worth of songs
2. Copy to player
3. Go to bed
4. Wake up. Bam! Several months worth of music on player.
5. ???
6. Profit!

 

[HonkeyDonk]

So when you plug the device into your computer, does windows pop up saying "USB 2.0 device found" or does it say "You could be running this device faster..."

If it says USB 2.0 device found and it's running slow...then maybe it's either: 1) Design flaw or 2) actual hardware flaw

If it says "you could be running this faster...", then it's either: 1) your comp doesn't have usb 2.0 correctly installed or 2) it's actual mp3 hardware fault.

First determine 100% whether it's not running at USB 2.0 high speeds due to hardware fault. If so, then the seller should refund you since it's not "flawless" as he said it was. But again, this is cragislist so it's really iffy.

But if you can't get him to refund you, then have you tried to RMA the sucker? If it's still relatively new, you still should have some warranty.

 

[Kelvrick]

Ok, I think it was a little harsh earlier, but I still don't think you should be getting a refund. I looked at the creative site for the zen micro and I see a lot of "usb 2.0 blah blah" but I don't see the mention of usb 2.0 high speed.

Care to link somewhere that says so?

The player is supposed to be high-speed.. Check here.

Where does it say usb 2.0 high speed? It says "Hi-Speed USB."

 

[robphelan]

i'd be pissed if i thought it was 480mbps and it was really 11

 

[Yossarian]

shoulda got a nano

 

[WTT0001]

Just a dumb question, have you tried a different USB cable???

WTT

 

[Pepsi90919]

but there's nowhere on the post which says it's an "as-is" sale... I've

then it's an as-is sale.

 

[Brassman]

Originally posted by: DBL

Originally posted by: Brassman
No, I still want a Zen Micro... had one before this without any problems.. it transferred songs quick.

How are you transferring music? What program?

Using Notmad Explorer... but, have also used creative's program..

 

[Brassman]

Originally posted by: HonkeyDonk
So when you plug the device into your computer, does windows pop up saying "USB 2.0 device found" or does it say "You could be running this device faster..."

If it says USB 2.0 device found and it's running slow...then maybe it's either: 1) Design flaw or 2) actual hardware flaw

If it says "you could be running this faster...", then it's either: 1) your comp doesn't have usb 2.0 correctly installed or 2) it's actual mp3 hardware fault.

First determine 100% whether it's not running at USB 2.0 high speeds due to hardware fault. If so, then the seller should refund you since it's not "flawless" as he said it was. But again, this is cragislist so it's really iffy.

But if you can't get him to refund you, then have you tried to RMA the sucker? If it's still relatively new, you still should have some warranty.

Windows says "the device could be running faster if you plugged it into a HI-SPEED port" and it lists the ports that are supposedly hi-speed (but there's nothing connected to any of them. I've tried all ports on my computer and i've even bought a PCI USB 2.0 expansion card with no luck. See here.

 

[Brassman]

Originally posted by: WTT0001
Just a dumb question, have you tried a different USB cable???

WTT

Yes, i've tried 3 different cables that are "rated at USB 2.0 Hi-speed" ... one of which I used with my old Zen Micro (which worked at "hi-speed") and including the one which came with the Micro.

 

[Brassman]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

but there's nowhere on the post which says it's an "as-is" sale... I've

then it's an as-is sale.

Never heard of that in my life.. I've heard that you have to list the item as an "as-is" item if there's problems with it?

 

[Brassman]

Originally posted by: mchammer187
the only thing USB 2.0 says is speeds up to 480 Mbps

no device ever hits this

and

there is no guaranteed minimum

Indeed. But - it should hit more than 7mbit/s

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Brassman

Originally posted by: HonkeyDonk
So when you plug the device into your computer, does windows pop up saying "USB 2.0 device found" or does it say "You could be running this device faster..."

If it says USB 2.0 device found and it's running slow...then maybe it's either: 1) Design flaw or 2) actual hardware flaw

If it says "you could be running this faster...", then it's either: 1) your comp doesn't have usb 2.0 correctly installed or 2) it's actual mp3 hardware fault.

First determine 100% whether it's not running at USB 2.0 high speeds due to hardware fault. If so, then the seller should refund you since it's not "flawless" as he said it was. But again, this is cragislist so it's really iffy.

But if you can't get him to refund you, then have you tried to RMA the sucker? If it's still relatively new, you still should have some warranty.

Windows says "the device could be running faster if you plugged it into a HI-SPEED port" and it lists the ports that are supposedly hi-speed (but there's nothing connected to any of them. I've tried all ports on my computer and i've even bought a PCI USB 2.0 expansion card with no luck. See here.

Iono, you said it worked before you repaired windows, so it looks like maybe a reinstall is the only other choice. But, you said it doesn't work on other computers too...

Iono, i'm still waiting for you to link me to a page that says the creative zen has usb 2.0 high speed. All that I've seen says high speed usb or something like that.

Also, the other thread said resolution found. What was teh resolution?

 

[Brassman]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: Brassman

Originally posted by: HonkeyDonk
So when you plug the device into your computer, does windows pop up saying "USB 2.0 device found" or does it say "You could be running this device faster..."

If it says USB 2.0 device found and it's running slow...then maybe it's either: 1) Design flaw or 2) actual hardware flaw

If it says "you could be running this faster...", then it's either: 1) your comp doesn't have usb 2.0 correctly installed or 2) it's actual mp3 hardware fault.

First determine 100% whether it's not running at USB 2.0 high speeds due to hardware fault. If so, then the seller should refund you since it's not "flawless" as he said it was. But again, this is cragislist so it's really iffy.

But if you can't get him to refund you, then have you tried to RMA the sucker? If it's still relatively new, you still should have some warranty.

Windows says "the device could be running faster if you plugged it into a HI-SPEED port" and it lists the ports that are supposedly hi-speed (but there's nothing connected to any of them. I've tried all ports on my computer and i've even bought a PCI USB 2.0 expansion card with no luck. See here.

Iono, you said it worked before you repaired windows, so it looks like maybe a reinstall is the only other choice, unless you wanna go out and try buying another cable.

Also, the other thread said resolution found. What was teh resolution?

No no no... it worked before I repaired windows with my other player.. then, I tried to use my new player and it didn't work...so I repaired windows and it still didn't work.. so I reinstalled and it still didn't work. Hope that makes sense?

My resolution was that the player was bad... as I tried a repair, reinstall, update/downgrade of drivers.. new hardware (with new drivers) and 2 other computers that are compatible with USB "hi-speed" devices. Also tried a USB 2.0 harddrive enclosure on my computer in it's current running state and it runs at USB 2.0 "hi-speed"

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Brassman

Originally posted by: WTT0001
Just a dumb question, have you tried a different USB cable???

WTT

Yes, i've tried 3 different cables that are "rated at USB 2.0 Hi-speed" ... one of which I used with my old Zen Micro (which worked at "hi-speed") and including the one which came with the Micro.

Well there's your problem, you need to pick up a $40 Best Buy Geek Squad gold plated USB cable.

 

[Brassman]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Iono, i'm still waiting for you to link me to a page that says the creative zen has usb 2.0 high speed. All that I've seen says high speed usb or something like that.

Check here and clicking on the link of "hi-speed" leads you here. Under that page, it clearly states this:


You won't be fooled from now on as you now aware that Full Speed USB is only 12Mbits/second where Hi-Speed USB mode is capable of a much faster 480Mbits/second.

 

[Brassman]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Brassman

Originally posted by: WTT0001
Just a dumb question, have you tried a different USB cable???

WTT

Yes, i've tried 3 different cables that are "rated at USB 2.0 Hi-speed" ... one of which I used with my old Zen Micro (which worked at "hi-speed") and including the one which came with the Micro.

Well there's your problem, you need to pick up a $40 Best Buy Geek Squad gold plated USB cable.

rofl. you better be kidding.

 

[Brassman]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Man, it sounds like you've got a big problem. We'd better dispatch a waaaahmbulance.
Beyond emailing Creative, did you look for solutions on their site?

Yes, i've literally spent a week trying to find alternate solutions for the problem with no luck.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Brassman

Originally posted by: mugs
Well there's your problem, you need to pick up a $40 Best Buy Geek Squad gold plated USB cable.

rofl. you better be kidding.

Uh, yeah.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Brassman

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Iono, i'm still waiting for you to link me to a page that says the creative zen has usb 2.0 high speed. All that I've seen says high speed usb or something like that.

Check here and clicking on the link of "hi-speed" leads you here. Under that page, it clearly states this:


You won't be fooled from now on as you now aware that Full Speed USB is only 12Mbits/second where Hi-Speed USB mode is capable of a much faster 480Mbits/second.

Ok, that page links you to usb full speed, but then how come it doesn't just plain say usb 2.0 high speed? Thats what I'm looking for, as that is the definition of the fast trasfer version of usb 2.0. And see, nowhere do I see anything remotely similar to high speed usb 2.0 on the Creative's site.

For all I know, maybe creative used the high speed parts for their earlier models but to save a little money, skimped out? Or, maybe earlier models had the crappy 2.0 and the newer ones had the good one? Maybe, it just depends on each batch?

EDIT: Hmm, it IS USB 2.0 High speed. Creative doesn't really have a good RMA service though. I still don't think the seller is in the wrong, you just gotta get creative in how you're gonna replace your player there. *wink wink*

picture of manual I dl'ed off of Creative's site

 

[Brassman]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: Brassman

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Iono, i'm still waiting for you to link me to a page that says the creative zen has usb 2.0 high speed. All that I've seen says high speed usb or something like that.

Check here and clicking on the link of "hi-speed" leads you here. Under that page, it clearly states this:


You won't be fooled from now on as you now aware that Full Speed USB is only 12Mbits/second where Hi-Speed USB mode is capable of a much faster 480Mbits/second.

Ok, that page links you to usb full speed, but then how come it doesn't just plain say usb 2.0 high speed? Thats what I'm looking for, as that is the definition of the fast trasfer version of usb 2.0. And see, nowhere do I see anything remotely similar to high speed usb 2.0 on the Creative's site.

For all I know, maybe creative used the high speed parts for their earlier models but to save a little money, skimped out? Or, maybe earlier models had the crappy 2.0 and the newer ones had the good one? Maybe, it just depends on each batch?

EDIT: Hmm, it IS USB 2.0 High speed. Creative doesn't really have a good RMA service though. I still don't think the seller is in the wrong, you just gotta get creative in how you're gonna replace your player there. *wink wink*

picture of manual I dl'ed off of Creative's site

In the pic it does say USB 2.0 (High Speed) under the port? I would take that to mean that it is high-speed myself...

Anyways, maybe creative did skimp out, but I seriously doubt it. I'm sure there'd be a major uproar if people bought the player and it didn't perform worth a crap?

And I don't want to pawn it off on someone else... I would have to take a hit on the price and sell it for like $40 less or more just because it's 1.1.. ..If somebody would even buy it for $120... but still, it's just not fair. /whining.