Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Geek Speak => Topic started by: teragram on 23/05/2011 00:18:51
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Any ideas why a new MP3/4 player will not install on my computer (Windows XP) but will install on another computer.
On plugging in the computer, it briefly appears on "My Computer" but then is disconnected by the computer.
After uninstalling and re-installing it sometimes remains connected but is not recognised by Windows Media Player.
HELP!!!!
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Set a system restore point beforehand if you run this microsoft automatic "diagnose and repair" just in case you want to revert to the previous state.
Microsoft Help and Support
Hardware devices are not working or are not detected in Windows
Automatically diagnose and repair problems with devices when the device manager does not detect your hardware, audio, USB, or other devices, or when your devices are disabled or not working.
http://support.microsoft.com/mats/hardware_device_problems/en-us
[ I suspect you may have to install driver software for your new-fangled MP4 player on ye-olde XP ]
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RD thanks for your reply. Unfortunately the Microsoft website said “Not Available for your system at this time”.
However, perhaps I should state the problem in more detail:-
My new Technika MP111 arrived with no instructions for use (it’s all on the device).
I plugged the device into my computer and then switched the computer on. I suspect that this resulted in the drivers being mis-installed in some way.
When I returned to the computer, it was as though the device did not exist, being invisible to “My Computer” and to “Windows Media Player”.
I rest the device with it’s concealed reset switch, and tried again. On re-connection to the computer the message reporting new hardware appeared (twice, because the device has a card reader also), and then the message reporting installation of hardware.
This has since happened on many re-tries, once only Media player grudgingly allowed me to transfer some Cds to the device, although incorrectly shuffling them.
I obtained a replacement device from the dealer (Tesco), which performs exactly as the previous one.
On connection to the computer, the device appears in “My Computer” as two drives, after 20 seconds-ish it disconnects and disappears.
Occasionally it stays there long enough for me to uninstall or go through the diagnostic procedure. In both cases, on re-trying the same symptoms occur.
The first device, and I assume the second, worked O.K. in a friend’s computer.
I am beginning to suspect a corrupted operating system.
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once only Media player grudgingly allowed me to transfer some Cds to the device
Even if you only managed this once then I don’t think it is a driver problem.
I've Googled a bit and a possible explanation for your automatic disconnection after 20 seconds is that your (old computer) USB port isn't supplying enough power for the MP4 USB device, if so it's fixable with a "self-powered" USB hub which runs off a mains adapter (£5-£15).
A bus-powered hub is a hub that draws all its power from the host computer's USB interface. It does not need a separate power connection. However, many devices require more power than this method can provide, and will not work in this type of hub.
USB current (related to power) is allocated in units of 100 mA up to a maximum total of 500 mA per port. Therefore a compliant bus powered hub can have no more than four downstream ports and cannot offer more than four 100 mA units of current in total to downstream devices (since one unit is needed for the hub itself). If more units of current are required by a device than can be supplied by the port it is plugged into, the operating system usually reports this to the user.
In contrast a self-powered hub is one that takes its power from an external power supply unit and can therefore provide full power (up to 500 mA) to every port. Many hubs can operate as either bus powered or self powered hubs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_hub#Power
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I forgot to mention that the usb ports on the computer are fine with other devices: camera, sat nav, and a (diferent) MP3 player.
I think you are right RD in that the problem is deeper then just drivers.
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I was wondering if it's just because your PC can't supply enough power too. Is the player fully charged when you plug it into the PC?
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Is the player fully charged when you plug it into the PC?
I don't think MP3/MP4 players use their battery when plugged into the USB: My MP3 players can transfer data without a battery when they are connected to USB port: they get the all their power from computer USB.
I have small-ish (320Gb) external hard drive which needs one of these double USB cables to obtain enough power from 2xUSB ports, (rather than use an external power supply) ...
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F41KV8Tmap-L._SL500_AA300_.jpg&hash=284b8721ffcc7f2f56b1dfb4d5500f11) (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003N8HVQC/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000FKP7XA&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=18J3K501MSBBTWYF41BX)
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I forgot to mention that the usb ports on the computer are fine with other devices: camera, sat nav, and a (diferent) MP3 player.
Apparently the MP111 charges its battery via power from the USB (http://www.reevoo.com/p/technika-advanced-mp111-4gb#/reviews). That will draw a lot of juice, perhaps more than the devices you list above.
I'd try the double USB cable above (>£3) on your old computer, or a powered USB hub.
[maybe you have the option to switch off "charge via USB" ?]
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If the device has a separate charger ( which probably plugs into the USB socket on the device) then try charging it overnight first, then plug it in to the computer. Try a different USB socket, and you will find a powered hub a good investment anyway, it will be under 10 pounds at the local computer shop, you just need one that is USB 2.0 and mains powered, make and looks are not going to have any influence other than on price, and number of output ports, generally 4 is common. A lot of USB ports are limited in current capacity, even though they are powered from the computer directly. this is mostly done to protect the motherboard from damage.
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Thanks everybody for your replies. Sadly though, nothing helped, but I have got rid of the problem. I returned the device to the retailer, who refunded my money!!