Rio forge 512mb problem.

When mine did this it meant the firmware inside had gotten corrupted. It started working again when I reinstalled the firmware. The official firmware is available at the official website, and wikipedia promotes an unofficial firmware that provides more features.

For either of them, plug the unit into the USB port of your computer, then run the utility to upgrade the your Forge.

(Eventually, my Forge's internal memory storage died - it still play music from card memory, but every time I turn it on I have tell it my language is english etc.)

I hope that helps.

you suck

Press the MENU and turn it on, as soon as the word RIO shows on the screen release the power button but do not release the MENU button until it says upgrading
Plug the USB cord to it and install Rio Forge Firmware_120
Turn the mp3 off then on normally
Put the music back on your mp3 and it SHOULD be fixed. but your music will be gone..

hope this helps,
trin

I had exactly same trouble - at least twice..
One time a battery switch and drain for at least 10 min fixed it.
another time I reinstalled firmware...

No big deal..

When this happens to me (it does every few months), I re-flash the software following the instructions that come with it. Then the annoying "upgrader" message goes away for another few month. I use version 1.33 in my 512 forge.

look for a small pinhole to reset the device..to bad RIO did not provide a way to "go back" in case of failed firmware

Same problem here. No amount of updates or battery removal will help. Purging, re-downloading, reformatting...all failed. I'm afraid at this point there is nothing left to do but toss it.

UPGRADER is a mode that purges the firmware from the Rio player prior to flashing the unit. Firmware is basically the operating system for the player, so if it is corrupted any number of things can occur. You can enter UPGRADER mode to update the firmware on your player by holding down the MENU button when you power the Rio ON. Flashing the player in this mode erases all content. Try the following to get the unit out of UPGRADER mode, if powering OFF the unit will not correct it. ALL PLAYERS - If you accidentally entered UPGRADER mode, turn the unit OFF and then back ON again. - Download the latest version of the firmware for your player and upgrade the unit. Visit http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/support/rio - It may be necessary to run the firmware update more than once. - This process may erase content from your player. - If the player is detected by the computer, it is recommended that you format the player, which WILL erase content from the player. - Macintosh user's try flashing the player on a PC. FLASH MEMORY PLAYERS - Remove the battery and replace it, this will reset the unit. The Rio Forge, Rio se510, Rio Cali [Black Rio Stick], and Rio Chiba [Black Rio Stick] can lock up causing the player to be unresponsive. If this occurs there are two things that need to be performed to resolve the issue. First you want to remove power from the player this includes the battery and a USB connection for 20 minutes to reset the player. There is a capacitor on the player that stores a charge that holds the player in the locked state. By waiting the duration the capacitor will discharge and the player should function as normal. Second you will want to upgrade the firmware to the latest version and format the player to prevent future occurrences. HARD DISK DRIVE PLAYERS - If you have a Carbon, Nitrus, Eigen, or Karma, use a paper clip to reset the unit. Your Rio will power off automatically when it has been reset. It may be necessary to connect the player to AC power and then reset the player if it will not turn on. If you are still unable to have the player exit UPGRADER Mode, then try it on another computer. UPGRADE FIRMWARE - Connect to the internet - Go to http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/support/rio/ - Click on the appropriate player - Click on the FIRMWARE tab [showing by default] - Click on the latest firmware file [example: RioForge_firmware_133.exe] - Click SAVE when prompted - From the SA

This happened to my player also. To fix it, you have to go to the rio website and download the most recent firmware for whatever model mp3 player you have. I went to: http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/support/rio/product.asp?model=265&SKU=90260558) Next install. Plug in your player to your USB to your computer - BUT (and here's the important part) you need to hold down the menu key while plugging it in. Keep holding until it powers up AND the word "UPGRADER" shows on the screen. Now, run the firmware upgrade program and follow the directions and it will see your player and upgrade the firmware (yes, even if it's the same firmware version.) You'll have to run the .exe file to get the upgrades onto your player. Unplug the player and it should be like new!

Sorry for reverting to the basics, but have you tried taking the batteries out of it? That should revert it to its basic configuration.