Gmini x202 read access error, cant read from hard disk,, advice please

Possible causes and solutions

1 The hard drive within your player has failed, not uncommon and a real pain to fix for all but the real hands on techies. requires replacement hard disk likely same size required.
(unfortunately most likely problem) it will probably be accompanied by an unusual clicking noise coming from the player when held to your ear.


2 The hard drive within your player has become corrupt or something similar and requires formatting. Simple for any IT person to do. I'm no expert on this model and am too lazy to check but even holding down the reset button for 30 seconds or so may fix it.

Good luck hope i helped.

test

My Gmini XS202s did this twice both time cause the battery went flat while moving files across (I should always charge device while connecting to PC)

First time I reformatted device as FAT32 using fdisk (Windows formatting tool should do same)

Then downloaded latest AOS and copied to root directory. [get AOS from http://www.archos.com/support/support_tech/updates.html?country=gb&lang=en]

second time I ran mkdosfs /media/disk (disk was mount point for gmini). This seemed to fix the device and I lost about 20 files. but better than reformat.

the BIOS is hard wired into the motherboard and contains all information about the hardware on M/board.usually accessed by pressing del key or f2 key you will have how to do this at the bottom of the boot up screen read all info carefully it should list what your hard drive is and how big
also if hard drive is automatically detected
if you access it set it for default loadings and try again to boot

Throw it away!!! Junk.

If you have problems with the file system on your Gmini? 402 you can try to fix it using the DOS utility, check disk (chkdsk). Do the following; ? Make sure external AC adapter is powering the Gmini? 402. ? Quit all running applications. ? Properly connect the Gmini? 402 to your computer ? Wait patiently (up to 5 minutes) for Windows XP to show the local drive as mounted. ? Open a DOS window. Programs > Accessories > command Prompt. ? At the prompt, type chkdsk e: /f. Use e: or f: or whatever drive letter is representing your Gmini? 402. The /f argument tells the program to automatically fix errors. ? Be patient, this may take a while. ? When it is finished, exit the DOS Window and properly disconnect the Gmini? 402 from your computer. Try it now and see if makes any difference,

If you have problems with the file system on your Gmini you can try to fix it using the DOS utility, check disk (chkdsk). Do the following; ? Make sure external AC adapter is powering the Gmini. ? Quit all running applications. ? Properly connect the Gmini to your computer ? Wait patiently (up to 5 minutes) for Windows XP to show the local drive as mounted. ? Open a DOS window. Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt. ? At the prompt, type chkdsk e: /f. Use e: or f: or whatever drive letter is representing your Gmini. The /f argument tells the program to automatically fix errors. ? Be patient, this may take a while. ? When it is finished, exit the DOS Window and properly disconnect the Gmini from your computer. Try using the device now and see if makes any difference. This method should help to fix any disc errors that have occurred within the FAT and help your PC recognise it again. If you have more problems, try formatting it using a DOS prompt. You MUST make sure NOTHING is trying to access the disc before you can format it - this includes windows explorer.

If you have problems with the file system on your Gmini you can try to fix it using the DOS utility, check disk (chkdsk). Do the following; ? Make sure external AC adapter is powering the Gmini. ? Quit all running applications. ? Properly connect the Gmini to your computer ? Wait patiently (up to 5 minutes) for Windows XP to show the local drive as mounted. ? Open a DOS window. Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt. ? At the prompt, type chkdsk e: /f. Use e: or f: or whatever drive letter is representing your Gmini. The /f argument tells the program to automatically fix errors. ? Be patient, this may take a while. ? When it is finished, exit the DOS Window and properly disconnect the Gmini from your computer. Try using the device now and see if makes any difference. If not you could try formatting it using a DOS prompt.

If the drive is ticking, it suggests the actual HDD is dying. You can try the following to see if you can fix any disc errors through your PC, however if your PC does not recognise a drive has been attached you may be unable to do anything other than have it repaired elsewhere. If you have problems with the file system on your Gmini you can try to fix it using the DOS utility, check disk (chkdsk). Do the following; ? Make sure external AC adapter is powering the Gmini. ? Quit all running applications. ? Properly connect the Gmini to your computer ? Wait patiently (up to 5 minutes) for Windows XP to show the local drive as mounted. ? Open a DOS window. Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt. ? At the prompt, type chkdsk e: /f. Use e: or f: or whatever drive letter is representing your Gmini. The /f argument tells the program to automatically fix errors. ? Be patient, this may take a while. ? When it is finished, exit the DOS Window and properly disconnect the Gmini from your computer. Try using the device now and see if makes any difference. This method should help to fix any disc errors that have occurred within the FAT and help your PC recognise it again. If you have more problems, try formatting it using a DOS prompt. You MUST make sure NOTHING is trying to access the disc before you can format it - this includes windows explorer.

New hard drive. Mine died, too. klick-klack, rrr, klick-klack... end.