My songs go to files and I got locked out.

MP3 players can only play music files in mp3 file format. You need to convert your CDs to mp3 music files onto yourcomputer or download them from the Internet and then copy them to your MP3player.
You can do this using Windows Media player and Rip the CDs - Media Player willcreate a MP3 music file for each music track.
Click on this link for instruction on converting music files to mp3 file format:- http://www.fixya.com/support/r5798418-creating_transferring_mp3_music_files

MP3 players can only play music files in mp3 file format. You need to convert your CDs to mp3 music files onto yourcomputer or download them from the Internet and then copy them to your MP3player.
You can do this using Windows Media player and Rip the CDs - Media Player willcreate a MP3 music file for each music track.
Click on this link for instruction on converting music files to mp3 file format:-
http://www.fixya.com/support/r5798418-creating_transferring_mp3_music_files

There are a couple of wats to put music on a MP3 player.
You can download MP3 music files from the Internet, some Internet sites have free downloads and others you have to pay to download songs and albums.
ANOTHER WAY
You can convert your CDs into MP3 files can copy them to your MP3 player. There are freeware programs on the Internet that convert CD songs to MP3 format, the CD song is rip/converted to MP3 file.
Microsoft Media Player can also rip CD songs into MP3 files as well as playing MP3 files/songs.

First you need to convert the songs on the CD into mp3 music files then you copy these mp3 files to your ipod.
There are several freeware rip programs on the Internet that rip CD songs into mp3 files.
Do a Google search for these rip programs and install the program on your computer.
You can use Windows Media Player, it can rip music CDs and convert the music files into mp3 music files.

First you need to convert the songs on the CD into mp3 music files then you copy these mp3 files to your mp3 player.
There are several freeware rip programs on the Internet that rip CD songs into mp3 files.
Do a Google search for these rip programs and install the program on your computer.
You can use Windows Media Player, it can rip music CDs and convert the music files into mp3 music files.

I would recommend wiping your player:

Windows only.... Please post if you are not using windows...

Open My Computer with your Rio plugged in.
Right click on your Rio carbon and click on format.
Leave the default values - if it asks you something then use your initiative.
Then click on format.
Then when it has finished formatting go to your firmware (can be downloaded from: http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/support/rio/product.asp?prodID=235).
Follow the instructions and then it should load the firmware onto your player.
When it has done then your player should (in theory!) work properly.

Hope this helps

Mowcius

free_cd_music_converter look it up on google its free! and works great

tell ya what:

use iTunes or WMP to rip the songs of your cd.
load these ripped songs onto ur player..

Warning:
WMP generates WMA files while iTunes generates AAC files by default
iTunes can be customized to produce mp3 files instead

Is it still under warranty? Return it for a new one.

Try this and let me know if it works: Plug the player into the computer (by the USB cable obviously), open your Rio Music Manager, go to "Tools", "Synchronization options". Then create a "synchronization profile" as instructed. As you progress through the instructions, your second preferrence to edit is called "content deletion". This is where you can tell your player to NEVER delete your music. (Choose "never" from the dropdown menu). Then follow the rest of the steps, answering the other questions as you prefer. Hopefully this will prevent your player from losing songs you've already downloaded.