Can't reinstall Firmware

Hello,

Creative Support
There's support on the Creative site for the Zen Sleek player:
http://support.creative.com/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?catID=213&subCatID=214&prodID=13599&prodName=Zen%20Sleek&subCatName=ZEN&CatName=MP3+Players&VARSET=prodfaq:PRODFAQ_13599,VARSET=CategoryID:213


Considering the frozen problem
Creative gives this information when the player freezes, in the knowledgebase solutions:
>>>>>

1. Gently push the end of a thin object (such as a pin or straightened paperclip) into the Reset hole.
   The reset button for your player is located at the bottom of the player, to the right of the dock connector port.
2. Refer to the article below to access the recovery mode and perform a Clean Up.
   
   SID 64128: Accessing the Recovery/Rescue Mode of your Player
   
   Note:
   
3. 1. Clean Up scans a player's hard disk/memory card and removes any invalid links from the music library. It does not affect the working music files at all. It is recommended that you perform "Clean Up" first before formatting or reloading the player's firmware.
      
   2. It is advisable for you to clean up your player regularly if you are frequently transferring files from you computer to your player or vice versa.

Last updated: June 16th, 2009 <<<<<


1.
How to perform a Clean Up:
http://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?url=http://203.211.142.197:80/srvs/cgi-bin/webcgi.exe/,/?st=183,e=0000000000715959190,k=4557,sxi=12,varset=ws:http://uk.europe.creative.com,case=64128
Player has to be in Clean Up mode.
This is the link SID 64128, viewing knowledgebase solutions.

2.
Performing a format or reload of the firmware , after Clean Up:
http://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?url=http://203.211.142.197:80/srvs/cgi-bin/webcgi.exe/,/?st=374,e=0000000000715962234,k=4557,sxi=12,varset=ws:http://uk.europe.creative.com,case=63033
Player has to be in format or reload firmware mode.
This is the link SID 63033 viewing knowledgebase solutions.


Manual for the Zen Sleek:
http://files2.europe.creative.com/manualdn/Manuals/TSD/8891/0xCF294831/Zen%20Sleek%20Quick%20Start%20Multilingual.pdf


Just post a comment, when needing more help.

I had this same problem and almost threw out the Zen. You need to download the Zen Sleek Photo firmware upgrade software from Creative (http://ccftp.creative.com/manualdn/Drivers/PDE/9475/0xD499781C/ZenSleekPhotoP4S_16_1_10_01.exe).

1. The firmware updater needs to run in XP SP2 or SP3. It apparently won't run on Vista.
2. The trick to getting the Zen recognized by the firmware update software is to make sure you uninstall both WMP11 as well as the WMP11 Runtime. Those two things are listed separately in Add/Remove programs. BOTH must be uninstalled before the firmware updater will recognize your Zen.

Now I'm back to using my Zen. It's all good.

Try uninstalling Windows Media Player version 11 from your computer before trying to reload the firmware. It works wonders.

What you have to do is flash the firmware. And this is another huge problem. If you have WMP 11 you have to downgrade/uninstall it from you computer or use a computer that doesn't have it on.
Next connect your MP3 player after you have:
1. cleaned it
2. formated it
(you get to the recovery menu by holding play/pause sign and inserting a paper clip into the reset orifice.
Once it is recognized a menu will pop up asking you if you want to do various things, one of them is to sync or add files to your player using WMP 9 or 10, depending on the machine you have. CLICK that option.
Next you have to run the firmware application provided on the Creative website and that will flash your player with the firmware. It should work fine afterwards.

Make a backup of of the files if you care about them before you start this adventure.

I got my Creative Zen Sleek Photo from a friend and everything I did wouldn't let Windows recognize it, but then I got it to work almost magically.

1. Make sure you have the proper drivers installed for it that come with the CD. If you don't have the CD, you can download the ISO here.
http://wp.randyr.net/windows-xp/creative-zen-sleek-photo.html

2. Reboot. When it comes back up, plug the cable into your computer, then into your Sleek. The software should sync up. For some reason, my Zen wasn't being recognized from the usb port on my computer tower, but I plugged it into my monitor's USB port and then it worked. Try that, if none of that works, then it may be a problem with your computer not knowing which driver to assign to your Zen, and if so, try the steps below.

----

1. Plug your Sleek to your computer.
2. Open up Windows' Device manager (right-click on "My Computer" and select "Properties". Go to the "Hardware" tab, then click "Device Manager").
3. Locate the entry for "Creative Zen Sleek" in your device list. It should appear either under "Sound, video, and game controllers" or under "USB Devices". Once you locate the entry, uninstall it.
4. Unplug your Sleek and wait a few seconds.
5. Plug your Sleek back in and allow the "new Hardware Wizard" to identify and install the drivers for it.

try loading new firmware

· http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/

There are many causes for the freezes all of which I have found so far to be operator error. Except for the firmware upgrade. Follow all manufacturers instructions for resets and reinstalls (read throughly before proceeding) and all will be well again. We have 2 sleek photos I found the users to main the problem (2-teenages). Corrupt files (pics & audio)cause freezes. Find them and delete them. Regular cleanup from the utilities menu)helps alot these units are mini-computers but they do not multitask well- cant push them.

I think I found it for you: http://uk.europe.creative.com/support/downloads/welcome.asp?nRegionFK=&nCountryFK=&nLanguageFK=&action=next&MainCategory=213&SubCategory=214&Product_ID=14259&Product_Name=Zen+Sleek+Photo&x=24&y=7

Why does technology make you work for what you already paid good money for? Have you tried going into Recovery Mode? You do this by holding down the Play/Pause button while triggering the Reset button. Once there, you have four options. Try selecting Disk Cleanup and then Reboot. You might need to re-Sync a few things but it's worth a shot. Good luck.

This is important; because, if you cannot get into Recovery Mode, then this is a sure sign of a bricked player. You could try a forced hard reset by going in and disconnecting the battery, but chances are, the player is bricked.
try updating the firmware.