Plug in the Olympus DS-4000 handheld and the screen blinks erratically busy and then nothing pulls off of the card to the dictation module.

I know you will need the serial # to install, if you don't have one you can get this software version it say that it is for the Olympus DS-5000 digital recorder but also it is compatible with the previous version Olympus DS-4000 digital recorder at http://www.tvps.com/Products/Olympus-AS-5001-DSS-Player-Pro-Dictation-Version-5---New__OL-AS-5001.aspx

You may download the software from here.

Clear Voice Dictation Solutions, Louisiana

I had several cases lke this with clients. One of the dictations is corrupted. It's the "one" here that matters. When you connect the DS-4000 to a PC, it appears in your "My Computer" as a Removable Drive. Browse this drive, and you will find the dictations in one of the folders (A, B, C etc...) or they might be scattered between folder depending on how your user records.
Try to copy dictation manually from that drive to the matching folders on the PC (by default My Documents-->DSSPlayer-->Messages-->FolderA, FolderB..., although you might have changed that).

At some stage one of the dictation files will refuse to copy/paste: that's the corrupted one; however should should be able to save the others. Once you have salvaged all but one dictation, you can do a format of the card. In fact, I suggest you chage the card, as corruption is usually a sign of worst things to come...

Using this procedure, at least only one dictation will need re-dictated.

I hope this helps.

The slide switch on your Olympus DS-4000 probably needs to be replaced. You can ship it to PCDictate.com to have your Olympus DS-4000 repaired. The repair will most likely run around $100,

However, my suggestion is that you upgrade to the Olympus DS-5000 digital voice recorder, the replacement for the DS-4000. It is a substantial upgrade and you will not regret it.

If you want to consider another brand, Philips has some great digital voice recorders. My favorite models are the Philips LFH-9600 and Philips LFH-9500 professional digital voice recorder.

The best place to purchase professional digital voice recorders is PCDictate.com. Your recorder will be shipped the same day your order and shipping is free.

The new DS-5000 SW has still got some quirks. The RS-25 is no longer available and I too have had issues with the 27. If your PC has a serial port try the serial plug, I know it is a step backwards but it has worked for me several times. Hope this helps. For now I steer clear of the DS-5000's.

I would suggest the XD card is corrupt. You may be able to copy the recording off the machine by copy and paste in windows explorer. If not then they are lost. Data recovery will not work very as the files are recorded in dss format.

Only option is to format the card on the PC.

you can not do this with the Olympus ws-100, you need a dictation machine that has the editing function which allows you to easily insert, overwrite, partially erase files and continue on the same file, most of the digital dictation units have NEW FILE BUTTON , you will stay recording on the same file till you press new.
Look at Olympus DS-2300. Olympus DS-33300 or ds-4000.

you can not do this with the Olympus ws-100, you need a dictation machine that has the editing function which allows you to easily insert, overwrite, partially erase files and continue on the same file, most of the digital dictation units have NEW FILE BUTTON , you will stay recording on the same file till you press new.
Look at Olympus DS-2300. Olympus DS-33300 or ds-4000.

No, you can't do this on the Olympus DS-50 , its not a dictation machine, you can do this only by Olympus DS-2300, DS-3300, & DS-4000 which they have the Editing Features : Insert,Overwrite, eraseing and Partial erase