Windows XP wont recognize Sansa Player

This may be caused by one of the following:
1. Minimum system requirements were not met.
2. Corrupted drivers.
3. Computer restrictions.
4. Power issue.

To resolve this issue, try the following solutions:

SOLUTION 1 - For brand new player or first time connecting to this computer.

For Windows XP users: verify the following operating system requirements are met.
- Windows XP SP2 or higher
- Windows Media Player 10 or higher

Download and install the latest Windows Media Player if it's not installed.

For Windows Vista users: If the player is seen in My Computer when using MTP mode, but not showing in Windows Media Player.
- Download the hotfix from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/939211.
- Run the hotfix.

For MAC users, see Sansa player not recognized by a MAC OS

NOTE: If you are trying to connect to a Computer at work that is part of a network, there may be user right restrictions that are set to disable access to new hardware or stop any program installations. You may need to check with your IT administrator to see if this is causing the problem.



SOLUTION 2 - Refresh the driver

STEP 1 - Connect the Sansa player to the PC
The screen on your player should turn on, show 'Connected' and indicate the battery charging or full.
- If the player does not turn on try other USB ports or on another computer if one is readily available. Ensure you are connecting directly to the computer USB port and not to a USB hub.
- If there is nothing showing on the screen and the player does show up in as a storage device in an explorer window, then the screen is just not working.

If you receive the error "USB Device Not Recognized" on the computer, the player is most likely failed. Additional troubleshooting is unlikely to correct the problem.


.

STEP 2 - Check under Device Manager
1. Right-click My Computer, and select Manage.

2. Click Device Manager on the left pane.


NOTE: Sansa MP3 Players can connect to your computer in MSC or MTP mode. Exceptions are Sansa Connect and Sansa Express which only use MTP mode. MTP mode is the recommended and default method for Sansa Players when used with Windows OS.

The Sansa player will show up on Device Manager's right pane as:
1. USB Mass Storage device (if the player is set to MSC)
2. Portable Device (if the player is set to MTP mode)

If there is a yellow exclamation point (!) or question mark (?) beside the device, try to refresh the drivers.


STEP 3 - Refresh the drivers
1. Right-click the entry with the error mark, select Uninstall.
2. On the top menu, click Action then select Scan for hardware changes.

NOTE: If a device with yellow exclamation point (!) continually appears and disappears, then the player is most likely failed. Additional troubleshooting is unlikely to correct the problem.



SOLUTION 3 - Connect using MSC mode
Connecting in MSC mode will help determine if there is a problem with MTP mode or with the Auto Detect mode feature of the player. You can use Forced MSC mode or switch the player settings to MSC.

Instructions to connect in Forced MSC mode are listed here:
http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/61

Instructions to switch player to MSC mode are listed here: http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/207

If the player is detected in MSC mode but not when set to MTP mode, try to update or reinstall the Sansa firmware

NOTE: Sansa Express and Sansa Connect do not have MSC mode. For Sansa Connect you can try reinstalling the firmware using the Connect Recovery Mode.

Additional troubleshooting notes:
If you have replaced the Sansa Player and you still have problems getting it to recognize in the computer, then you may need to try some additional troubleshooting.
- Try connecting on another computer.
- Try using a different USB cable
- Try connecting to the back USB ports which may supply better power.
- If only MTP mode is not working, try reinstalling Windows Media Player
For Windows XP try also download and install the MTP Porting Kit
for more answers at:
http://www.doremisoft.net/Sansa-Video-Converter-Mac/

or http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/list/

Try other USB ports on your computer. A USB port behind a PC usually has the most power output. Try a different cable if there's one available, to rule out a cable malfunction. Try another computer.  NEXT - Refresh the drivers STEP 1 - Connect the Sansa player to the PC STEP 2 - Check under Device Manager -> 1. Right-click My Computer, and select Manage. NOTE: The Sansa player will show up on Device Manager's right pane as: 1. USB Mass Storage device (if the player is set to MSC) 2. Portable Device (if the player is set to MTP mode.)
See this tip posted here on this site. This might be what is going on with your player.  http://www.fixya.com/support/r3774047-solve_mp3_player_connection_problem 
If there is a yellow exclamation point (!) or question mark (?) beside the device, try to refresh the drivers.  STEP 3 - Refresh the drivers 1. Right-click the entry with the error mark, select Uninstall. 2. On the top menu, click Action then select Scan for hardware changes. A brand new Sansa player NOT recognized by the computer when plugged in: This may be caused by one of the following: 1. Minimum system requirements were not met. 2. Corrupted drivers. 3. Computer restrictions. 4. Power issue.   To resolve this issue, try the following solutions: Verify if minimum operating system requirements are met.
Operating systems supported by Sansa players: Windows Vista and Windows XP SP2
Windows Media player supported by Sansa players: Version 10 and 11 Download and install the latest Windows Media Player if it's not installed. 
For MAC users, see Sansa player not recognized by a MAC OS Next Connect the device to the PC in MSC mode View/c200:  Turn on then press and hold the rewind button while plugging to the PC  See List of Sansa players with instructions on enabling MSC mode
If all this has failed - Refresh the drivers
STEP 1 - Connect the Sansa player to the PC STEP 2 - Check under Device Manager 1. Right-click My Computer, and select Manage. SOLUTION 4 - If that didn't work, and you are running Windows Vista, verify if you have Service Pack 1 installed.   If all that does not work - Manually add the hardware driver. STEP 1 - Connect the Sansa player in MTP mode STEP 2 - Manually install the device driver 1. Click Start select Control Panel then select Add Hardware. 2. Click Next to begin the Add Hardware Wizard. 3. Click Yes, I have already connected the hardware, then Next. 4. Scroll to the end of the list and select Add a new hardware device then click Next 5. Select Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced) then click Next 6. Select Portable Device or Windows Media Device from the list, then click Next 7. Select MTP device, then click Next. 8. Click Next to start loading the drivers. 9. Click Finish to close the wizard.
STEP 3 - Verify if the device is detected properly 1. Double-click My Computer. 2. Check if the device is showing up under Portable devices. SOLUTION 6 - Set user restrictions.
Some computers have user right restrictions that are set to disable access to new hardware. STEP 1 - Log-in as an Administrator STEP 2 - Edit restriction NOTE: Disconnect the Sansa player if connected. 1. Click Start then Run, 2. Type cmd, then the press Enter. 3. After the prompt, type Net localgroup Administrators local service /add then press Enter.
STEP 3 - Reconnect your device

This may be caused by one of the following:
1. Minimum system requirements were not met.
2. Corrupted drivers.
3. Computer restrictions.
4. Power issue.

To resolve this issue, try the following solutions:

SOLUTION 1 - For brand new player or first time connecting to this computer.

For Windows XP users: verify the following operating system requirements are met.
- Windows XP SP2 or higher
- Windows Media Player 10 or higher

Download and install the latest Windows Media Player if it's not installed.

For Windows Vista users: If the player is seen in My Computer when using MTP mode, but not showing in Windows Media Player.
- Download the hotfix from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/939211.
- Run the hotfix.

For MAC users, see Sansa player not recognized by a MAC OS

NOTE: If you are trying to connect to a Computer at work that is part of a network, there may be user right restrictions that are set to disable access to new hardware or stop any program installations. You may need to check with your IT administrator to see if this is causing the problem.



SOLUTION 2 - Refresh the driver

STEP 1 - Connect the Sansa player to the PC
The screen on your player should turn on, show 'Connected' and indicate the battery charging or full.
- If the player does not turn on try other USB ports or on another computer if one is readily available. Ensure you are connecting directly to the computer USB port and not to a USB hub.
- If there is nothing showing on the screen and the player does show up in as a storage device in an explorer window, then the screen is just not working.

If you receive the error "USB Device Not Recognized" on the computer, the player is most likely failed. Additional troubleshooting is unlikely to correct the problem.


.

STEP 2 - Check under Device Manager
1. Right-click My Computer, and select Manage.

2. Click Device Manager on the left pane.


NOTE: Sansa MP3 Players can connect to your computer in MSC or MTP mode. Exceptions are Sansa Connect and Sansa Express which only use MTP mode. MTP mode is the recommended and default method for Sansa Players when used with Windows OS.

The Sansa player will show up on Device Manager's right pane as:
1. USB Mass Storage device (if the player is set to MSC)
2. Portable Device (if the player is set to MTP mode)

If there is a yellow exclamation point (!) or question mark (?) beside the device, try to refresh the drivers.


STEP 3 - Refresh the drivers
1. Right-click the entry with the error mark, select Uninstall.
2. On the top menu, click Action then select Scan for hardware changes.

NOTE: If a device with yellow exclamation point (!) continually appears and disappears, then the player is most likely failed. Additional troubleshooting is unlikely to correct the problem.



SOLUTION 3 - Connect using MSC mode
Connecting in MSC mode will help determine if there is a problem with MTP mode or with the Auto Detect mode feature of the player. You can use Forced MSC mode or switch the player settings to MSC.

Instructions to connect in Forced MSC mode are listed here:
http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/61

Instructions to switch player to MSC mode are listed here: http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/207

If the player is detected in MSC mode but not when set to MTP mode, try to update or reinstall the Sansa firmware

NOTE: Sansa Express and Sansa Connect do not have MSC mode. For Sansa Connect you can try reinstalling the firmware using the Connect Recovery Mode.

Additional troubleshooting notes:
If you have replaced the Sansa Player and you still have problems getting it to recognize in the computer, then you may need to try some additional troubleshooting.
- Try connecting on another computer.
- Try using a different USB cable
- Try connecting to the back USB ports which may supply better power.
- If only MTP mode is not working, try reinstalling Windows Media Player
For Windows XP try also download and install the MTP Porting Kit
if u want more help u can go with these site:

http://www.doremisoft.net/Sansa-articles/Convert-video-to-Sansa-on-mac-osx/
http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/list/
wish above can help u solve your problems.

Make sure the lock switch isn't engaged.
Double-click My Computer, and see if there is a Sansa icon (some computers will only show it as a removable drive or an MTP device).

If the computer is not recognizing the player:
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).

-Tha Mp3 Doctor

You can get any missing software from Sandisk's website if you have lost your installation CD.

Another way to force recognition:
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).

-Tha Mp3 Doctor

here is the solution:
http://amritbera.blogspot.com/2008/11/mtp-problem-solved.html

Your computer has to recognize MTP. If you plug it into a Windows Vista computer, it will recognize your device. There are steps you can perform for a Windows XP computer to recognize the device without software. Do a search for MTP and Windows XP for those directions. It starts with Adding New Hardware etc...
hope this helps
Trish

I would plug it into a different computer first, and see if you can get it working/recognizing - it rules out any USB related issues

Sansa has obsolesced this product - they took the driver off their website a few months ago

If you want to reacquire the MTP driver, then go to Microsoft website, and enter "MTP Porting Kit" - make sure you get the one for your specific OS - XP, Vista, etc.

Here are last ditch, desperation techniques to try:
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

This is the method that will force Windows to recognize the Sansa: 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.

solve your problem from my post:

http://amritbera.blogspot.com/2008/11/mtp-problem-solved.html