My RCA Opal M4204A is stuck on Intialize...and my computer won't read it.

Hi, let the battery go flat until it turns off, this will cure it without losing your music etc..

Thanks Mark

Push down the key lock switch, I think on your model it is on the side of the unit.

If it does not work, try performing the reset procedure below, From
ThaMp3Doctor
I quote
"Opal has a reset hole on the back of the unit in which atoothpick (non metallic) can be inserted to reboot the player. If thisdoes not work, I suggest that you reformat the player by using theWindows format command on the unit. To reformat the memory:
Right click on the device within the Explorer or My Computer window
Select the format command (full format) to reformat the internal memory of the device. "

If it still does not work, then the lock switch is probably faulty or stuck inside, in this case you need to take apart the unit, to fix it.

Try playing with the lock switch, or resetting the unit, that should unlocck your MP3.

Log onto the RCA website and download the RCA SMV Video Converter. The Opal only plays videos that are in one specific format. This converter will put your videos into that exact format (see Resources below).

Install the RCA SMV Video Converter once you have downloaded the software.

Open the RCA SMV Video Converter software to begin putting videos onto your RCA Opal.

Connect the RCA Opal to your computer using the USB chord that came with the device.

Wait until the RCA SMV Video Converter software reads that the device has been connected. You will know this when the bottom of the software screen reads “Player Detected: Opal 1GB 2GB.”

Select the “Browse” option to find any videos that are on your computer which you wish to add to the RCA Opal.

Click the box next to “Transfer output files to OPAL 1GB 2GB after conversion is complete” after you have selected all of the videos which you wish to convert. This will automatically add the videos to your RCA Opal after they have been converted.

Click the “Convert” box after you have selected all of the videos. The videos will automatically begin to convert to the correct format. Once they have been converted, your videos will automatically upload to your RCA Opal.

Log onto the RCA website and download the RCA SMV Video Converter. The Opal only plays videos that are in one specific format. This converter will put your videos into that exact format (see Resources below).
Install the RCA SMV Video Converter once you have downloaded the software.
Open the RCA SMV Video Converter software to begin putting videos onto your RCA Opal.
Connect the RCA Opal to your computer using the USB chord that came with the device.
Wait until the RCA SMV Video Converter software reads that the device has been connected. You will know this when the bottom of the software screen reads “Player Detected: Opal 1GB 2GB.”
Select the “Browse” option to find any videos that are on your computer which you wish to add to the RCA Opal.
Click the box next to “Transfer output files to OPAL 1GB 2GB after conversion is complete” after you have selected all of the videos which you wish to convert. This will automatically add the videos to your RCA Opal after they have been converted.
Click the “Convert” box after you have selected all of the videos. The videos will automatically begin to convert to the correct format. Once they have been converted, your videos will automatically upload to your RCA Opal.

Log onto the RCA website and download the RCA SMV Video Converter. The Opal only plays videos that are in one specific format. This converter will put your videos into that exact format (see Resources below).
Install the RCA SMV Video Converter once you have downloaded the software.
Open the RCA SMV Video Converter software to begin putting videos onto your RCA Opal.
Connect the RCA Opal to your computer using the USB chord that came with the device.
Wait until the RCA SMV Video Converter software reads that the device has been connected. You will know this when the bottom of the software screen reads “Player Detected: Opal 1GB 2GB.”
Select the “Browse” option to find any videos that are on your computer which you wish to add to the RCA Opal.
Click the box next to “Transfer output files to OPAL 1GB 2GB after conversion is complete” after you have selected all of the videos which you wish to convert. This will automatically add the videos to your RCA Opal after they have been converted.
Click the “Convert” box after you have selected all of the videos. The videos will automatically begin to convert to the correct format. Once they have been converted, your videos will automatically upload to your RCA Opal.

Some models have reset switches some do not.
Look on the back of your mp3 there should be a tiny hole there.
That is the reset switch for most opal. Other way to reset is hold power button down for 15 seconds.

If you cant find it you will have to go to the RCA website and download the latest firmware.

If its stuck on initializing
your firmware for it went bad.
You need to go to the RCA website.
http://www.rcaaudiovideo.com/
search for your make and model.
download the firmware for it.
After you download the firmware
Connect your mp3 player to usb device of your computer. Then click and install the newly downloaded firmware.

download the update it will fix your problem mine did the same thing.....the RCAeasyRip program should install off the opal and if not then id say exchange it....i bought one and it has worked great

our firmware went bad.
Just got to the RCA website.
http://www.rcaaudiovideo.com/
search your make and model
download the firmware.
Then hook you mp3 player to usb device of your computer.
After mp3 is hooked to computer
Install the newly downloaded firmware.

Fatal error on RCA Opal:
What do I do if I experience a Fatal Error? How Do I reset my Opal?
The Opal has a reset hole on the back of the unit in which a toothpick (non metallic) can be inserted to reboot the player. If this does not work, I suggest that you reformat the player by using the Windows format command on the unit. To reformat the memory:
Right click on the device within the Explorer or My Computer window
Select the format command (full format) to reformat the internal memory of the device.
Reinstall the firmware from http://download.rcaaudiovideo.com/downloads/opal_fwutility_v2.3.0.exe

RCA Opal - Stuck on "Initializing"

Go to this website to reload the firmware:
http://voxrightnow.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/voxrightnow.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1415&p_created=1202430585&p_sid=CwOaz8ej&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MTIsMTImcF9wcm9kcz0wJnBfY2F0cz0wJnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfbmwmcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1pbml0aWFsaXppbmc*&p_li=&p_topview=1

Note: websites are subject to change - if you go to http://www.rcaaudiovideo.com and go to the page for the RCA Opal m series, you can also find the firmware reload on that page.

-Tha Mp3 Doctor