Does anyone know if mine, a SanDisk 1.0 GB is salvageable? The CD that came with it was destroyed when my helper cut into it opening the plastic...:( so it has never been used...is there away around this problem?

Two possibilities:

1. you already have more than 3GB of files on the SANDISK.
So, delete some files, or "burn" them to a CD/DVD disk,
so that you have at least 5 GB of "free" space available.

2. the "file-system" (the way that the "table-of-contents" is laid-out on the SANDISK) limits the size of a single file to 2GB.
The "file-system" on your 'C:' drive does *NOT* have that identical limitation (it does have a "maximum-file-size", but it is MUCH larger).

Open Outlook, and "compress" all the folders.
Perhaps, the PST file will shrink to less than 4.7 GB.
If it does, then you can "burn" that file onto one DVD-writable disk.

Do you know anyone who uses Linux. If so then try opening the same on Linux operating system

unplug computer with cd open flip computer upside down and shake with cd open 1/2 way
it should dislodge
failing that open computer remove cd drive and shake the chit out of that bad boy buy remember the more you shake the more you scratch the disk

This is close...
http://www.sandisk.com/Assets/File/Downloads/user-guides/c200-ug-eng.pdf

The screen of the device turns on and the monster logo appears but it won't go to the menu anymore. It just stays on that screen

You can try to boot up with Linux LIVE cd and plug on the drive.

http://www.sandisk.com/Retail/DriverDownloads.aspx

Am not sure which of the 2 actions we did solved the problem...but we installed the CD that came with it (my daughter has a Sansa C260 and her CD was already installed in the computer and we thought I didn't have to install mine). But we resorted on installing mine too in case it would help with the problem, and then we re-loaded all the songs into my Sansa C250 at a slower pace, although I really don't know if the quicker pace did cause the problem. But now my Sansa C250 is now able to record any song correctly.

Whatever you do....do not hit it, kick it, smash it....unless you bought it with the guarantee of anything is covered unless it's lost or stolen warranty when you bought it! I have had mine for maybe 3-4 months now & still having problems with mine. Mine wants to freeze up on me. The last time was last weekend, & at the time I'm writing this, it has again been frozen the the past hr 1/2 +. Maybe it has something to do with weekends, not sure. But last Saturday, on my way to work mine was still acting "sick". Wierd & not sure what I did or didn't do, but all of a sudden it started working....approx. 7:30 am WIERD! If you find out what may be causing your problem maybe you might be lucky to find the end of the rainbow to technology....good luck! But again, don't smash it unless you bought the extra warranty. Better yet....! Take it back to the store & get a refund! May you have a better & safe weekend, Leesa Last weekend it took maybe 12 hrs. or so to unfreeze & believe me I wanted to smash it with my foot & I did purchase the extra warranty! Not sure if you are having the same problem. Don't destroy it....instead since mine is covered for anything except lost or stolen....please DESTROY MINE!!