Gigabeat Will Not Turn On - Battery Flashes Then Goes Dead

My Gigabeat has been working fine. But all of a sudden it will not turn on.

When I press the power button the battery indicator flashes (and looks empty). This would typically tell you the battery is dead and needs to be recharged.

I then try plugging it into my laptop via USB cable to charge, but the same thing happens. The battery flashes for a few seconds and then the unit turns off. I cannot get the unit to charge anymore.

I tried switching the hold on and off - nothing. I tried switching the master slide thing at the bottom and still nothing.

please help.
thats' what happened to mine except my battery just wont work.