How to format sandisk m250 using windows 7 media player

Hello,
When I understand this problem for the m250 right:
you can switch on the player but the text in the display cannot be changed pushing buttons.
Manual for the m200 series: http://mp3support.sandisk.com/downloads/um/sansa-m200-um.pdf

First check the LOCK switch; it should be disengaged when wanting to use the player's buttons.

If that won't help, try to RESET the device, see next link for 2 solutions:
http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1115

When the m250 still won't respond, do the FORMAT as told on this page:
http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1

Hope this will restore your player.
When needing more help, just add your text in this answer.

try formatting it or updating the firmware

The SanDisk Sansa m200 cooperates well with Windows Media Player 10 and subscription-based applications such as Napster To Go; it works without a hitch via drag and drop in Windows Explorer, even automatically organizing your files.

well you could do it on the computer by letting windows recognize it then go to my computer find the san disk then right click on it and click format

See http://www.fixya.com/support/t1061367-help_sanza_m250_see_song_files_even. If that's not the solution you need to better describe your problem.

I JUST formatted mine. Open up my computer and see where the sansa is located. Click once. It should say "music specific storage." right click and you'll have a format option.

connect it to your comupter. windows will recognise it as an extra drive. Right click it and then click format, in format check the quick format box and you should be done in less than a minute

What version of windows are you using, did it install by itself without any troubles? It should show up in windows media player in sync or transfer to device.

Found an answer - look here:

http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/sandisk-sansa-m250-2gb/4864-6490_7-31565927.html?ctype=msgid&messageSiteID=9&messageID=1672505&cval=1672505

Hi. Seems like your M250 is experiencing some system errors that prevents it from either powering up or booting up completely. To resolve the temporary power loss (not powering up even after changing batteries), try this: 1. Remove the battery 2. Press and hold the "Menu" button for 30 seconds. This is to completely discharge the player 3. Insert a brand new battery and try to power it on If this procedure still does not revive the player, try this to format the player and upgrade its firmware: 1. Enable the "Hold" switch on the side of the M250. You would know the "Hold" switch is enabled when the "orange-colored" surface is showing 2. Plug the player in to the PC. (The minimum operating system requirement for the M250 is Windows XP and above). The M250 should be recognized as a "Removable Disk" when browsed in Windows Explorer 3. Right-click on that drive letter corresponding to the M250 and select "Format". 4. Follow the on-screen prompts to format the player 5. Unplug the M250 from your computer, then disable the "Hold" switch. Then try powering it on. 6. To upgrade the firmware of your M250, again enable the "Hold" switch and plug it in to your PC. 7. If you have internet access, then use this link to download the "Firmware Updater" from the Sandisk website: http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/Default.aspx?CatID=1376 Save this to your desktop and double-click on it to run the updater program. Follow the on-screen prompts. I hope this helps. The M250 is a great player. Syd :)