Sansa e250 Hey I got my mp3 player for christmas and I'm having problems with synchronizing the unit. I also had problems with the screen going blank and not being able to turn the system off. Can someone out there help me pls.

You need to use the supplied Sansa Media Converter program to convert videos (and photos) to a format the Sansa can handle. If you don't have the SMC, you can download the Windows version here.

1. Are you using Windows Media Player 11 ?
2. Can you see the Sansa e250 connected in the sync mode ?
If no: install and update WMP11
If yes:
3. Make "new playlist" in the <Library> or <Sync> mode
of WMP 11; screen left side.
3.1 Save "new playlist" in WMP11; screen right side.
4. Put in <Sync> mode your playlist under the player: The player
should be connected showing in WMP11. Start synchronizing.
Leave the player connected until <Sync> is ready.

Support for Sansa e250:
http://www.sansa.com/sites/default/files/downloads/e200_userguide_en.pdf

The LCD controller is probably fried, which will require a replacement, but just to be sure:

These are the most common methods for recovering Sandisk's Sansa Mp3 Players. I have been almost universally successful in recovering Sansa players using one or a combination of these methods. These methods do not work if you are having synchronization or music format issues - they are for recovering a player that will not power up, freezes, flashes, is not recognized by the computer, and a host of other issues.

Reset the Sansa Player first. On most models, restart is done by holding the power button in for 15 seconds or longer. Check your specific manual to be sure. The manuals are available from the Sansa website if they have been misplaced.
Download the Sansa Recovery Tool from the Sansa website.
Format - Erases Everything: Connect your Sansa player to the computer and open Windows Media Player. Click on the Sync tab. Pull down the drop down menu underneath the Sync tab by moving your cursor over the Sync tab and left clicking on the little black arrow underneath the Sync tab. Highlight "Sansa 1GB" (wording may vary slightly), and then select "Format." - this should erase everything.
Firmware Upgrade- Erases Everything: Get the latest firmware upgrade from Sansa - it updates the firmware and erases every song in the player all at once. Note: this method doesn't work if already have the latest firmware. Go to this website and click "Firmware Updater" to find out: http://www.sandisk.com/DriverDownload/driverList.asp
If these fail, then:
Try this: disconnect the player from the computer, turn it off, hold in the volume + button, and reconnect the player to the computer while holding the volume + button in. Keep holding the volume + button for an additional 5-50 seconds. Windows should eventually go into recovery mode and revive the player- it will pop up a window that says Found New Hardware Wizard.
If you get the problem where MTP Device keeps popping up continuously, uninstall the “MTP Device” by going to Start à Control Panel àSystem à Hardware à Device Manager (you computer may vary slightly, depending on Windows Version).
You may have to restart your computer after each of these methods to get them to work properly. Disconnect your Sansa player BEFORE shutting down your computer.
-Tha Mp3 Doctor

If you have a blank screen but the blue lighted ring is on. Remove the back, the battery, remove the 4 tiny screws. pop the front plate off. Carefully remove the circuit board from the case starting from the bottom. On the back of the circuit board you will find a smaller circuit board that is plugged in. This board sometime becomes partially unplugged do to rough handling. Press this board back into its socket carefully. Reassemble the unit and everything should be fine.I repaired 2 Sansa E280 unit from Woot grab bags with this method.

I don't know about converting the MP3s to WMAs, but I had the same problem with "corrupt files."
What fixed that for me was instead of dragging and dropping files onto the Sansa, I synchronized them using Windows Media player, but only do 10-20 songs at a time, because if you try to do too many, they probably won't show up. I know it's tedious and annoying, but that's what did it for mine :) I hope this helps.

You mp3 player might need to be formated. Open up my computer, right click your mp3 player and click "format"

try and see if it is in MY COMPUTER if it is there download the newest firmware and update it if that doesn't work uninstall the mp3 player from your computer and then installit again.

I had a e260 and i thought i might share this with you. They got recalled, because ofa software malfunction. That might be what is wrong with yours, even though it's a different one it seemed to me like they were still getting the bugs out beause i upgraded to the e280 and i have to take it back too for software problems...

Use Windows Media Player

These are the most common methods for recovering Sandisk's Sansa Mp3 Players. I have been almost universally successful in recovering Sansa players using one or a combination of these methods. These methods do not work if you are having synchronization or music format issues - they are for recovering a player that will not power up, freezes, flashes, is not recognized by the computer, and a host of other issues.

Reset the Sansa Player first. On most models, restart is done by holding the power button in for 15 seconds or longer. Check your specific manual to be sure. The manuals are available from the Sansa website if they have been misplaced.
Download the Sansa Recovery Tool from the Sansa website.
Format - Erases Everything: Connect your Sansa player to the computer and open Windows Media Player. Click on the Sync tab. Pull down the drop down menu underneath the Sync tab by moving your cursor over the Sync tab and left clicking on the little black arrow underneath the Sync tab. Highlight "Sansa 1GB" (wording may vary slightly), and then select "Format." - this should erase everything.
Firmware Upgrade- Erases Everything: Get the latest firmware upgrade from Sansa - it updates the firmware and erases every song in the player all at once. Note: this method doesn't work if already have the latest firmware. Go to this website and click "Firmware Updater" to find out: http://www.sandisk.com/DriverDownload/driverList.asp
If these fail, then:
Try this: disconnect the player from the computer, turn it off, hold in the volume + button, and reconnect the player to the computer while holding the volume + button in. Keep holding the volume + button for an additional 5-50 seconds. Windows should eventually go into recovery mode and revive the player- it will pop up a window that says Found New Hardware Wizard.
If you get the problem where MTP Device keeps popping up continuously, uninstall the “MTP Device” by going to Start à Control Panel àSystem à Hardware à Device Manager (you computer may vary slightly, depending on Windows Version).
You may have to restart your computer after each of these methods to get them to work properly. Disconnect your Sansa player BEFORE shutting down your computer.
-Tha Mp3 Doctor