ZEN VISION M STUCK IN RECOVERY MODE

SOURCE: ZEN 60G STUCK IN RECOVERY

As with the error message suggests, you had a HARDISK PROBLEM. It's hard to diagnose Hard disk problem. You either had a loose hard drive connector or worst, you might had a stucked up drive when you dropped your player, or when you suddenly lost connectivity through your PC through several reasons such as power shortage, power spikes, or temporary hardware conflicts. All these may cause hardisk bad sectors.

If you know how to dismantle your player, then you can try reconnecting loose hard drive connectors if you know where it is located. It is the multi-pin connector, so be careful with the correct orientation of the connector.

It might be a little harder for you if the case is a stucked-up drive.I tried repairing harddrives before by dismantling the player and exposing the hardisk read/ write arm shaft (don't ever try to unscrew the hardrive if you don't know what you're doing. A slight misalignment will render that unfixable!).

Check if stucked hardrive is the case. Power up your player and hold it close to your ears. If you hear large clicking accompanied with unwanted noise, then you do have a stucked drive in your player.

With some hardrive, you'll just have to remove the sticker, and you'll find a small hole wherein you can insert a pin or a very thin wire and slightly and carefully dislodging the stucked arm until it's free moving).But be very careful, this one's a very delicate procedure. Do this at your own risk! In my Zen Micro (ST1 Hard drive based, SEAGATE brand), it worked for a while. But after sometime, it wears permanently rendering my player totally useless.

I would suggest, that you buy a new hardisk for that one or find a replacement. I'm not familiar what kind of hardisk the Zen 60 Gbyte uses. I think it is the larger 3 - 4 inch drive. If it is a small ST1 Drive such as the one found in my Zen Micro, then you can replace it with a Compact Flash CF Card (same size and pin configuration). It is a flash based card, more durable and shock proof. It causes no hang-ups and is much faster on startups. Ask your local dealer for this if this is possible, or if they had a replacement. Or you can search some proper documentation and specs, or even a simple fix for your Zen 60Gbyte player on the web. Most of my repairs came from instructions and hacks from the web. Only 30 percent of them came from my intuition, that is purely electronics troubleshooting (I'm dealing with microelectronics surface mount devices testing and replacements, not advisable for non techs as these are really tiny miniature parts you will be dealing with)

Hope this helps...