This is extremely frustrating. Back in 2005, Creative released thenew MTP mode (Plays For Sure) firmware for the Nomad Zen Xtra (amongothers). This creates a whole new way for the jukebox to talk toWindows XP.I desired better functionality with Windows Media Player so I couldtransfer files from my 40G Nomad to a small 2 gigger I keep in thecar. So, I carefully read the release notes (Be sure you have WindowsXP and Media Player 10 installed), and started the upgrade. Theprogram told me there would be a few reboots, and there was at leastone, but then something went wrong, and the update did not complete.Well, this happens from time to time, because it is Windows after all(right now there are Linux and Mac people laughing at me). So, Ineeded to restart the update. Problem is, the update program nolonger recognizes my Nomad, and my Nomad is stuck in Rescue Mode.However, there is enough of 2.10 installed that Windows sees mydevice, and I can even look at the hard disk. But, there is no OS,and the Nomad is a brick.So, here's my analysis:There are two modes for a Nomad to work in:Creative Mode (1.xx firmware versions), and MTP mode (Plays For Suremode, which Windows and Media Player recognize without loading anydrivers.)The trouble is, my player has switched to MTP mode, but even the 2.10firmware upgrade requires Creative Mode before it can do an upgrade.I'm sure if Creative were to release another version of MTP software Icould recover my Nomad because a new 2.xx update would expect my Nomadto already be in MTP mode, but alas, they have not.So, does anyone know any tricks so I can move my Nomad either forward(2.10.03) or backward (back to 1.02 or 1.20)? At this point, I willaccept any solution that allows my Nomad to play music again.Creative is no help, only pointing me to their Knowledge Base, whichwould be fine if I was still at 1.xx. Rescue Mode works fine,firmware updates just fine. But now they've put my Nomad into a Catch22 mode.In a nutshell: If you had a Nomad at 2.10.03, then lost your harddrive, how would you rescue it?Thanks for any help!Dan
Creative Nomad Jukebox Zen Xtra Driver Windows Xp
OK, for those of you who are in the same predicament as I am with myCreative Nomad Zen Xtra, here is how I rescued my brain dead playerafter my first failed attempt to install 2.10.03 firmware.I found another Windows XP computer in the house that met thefollowing requirements:Windows XP Service Pack 2Never saw or heard of my Nomad before. (No previous software wasinstalled.)Windows Media Player was still at version 9. (My other computer hadMedia Player 11, which I attempted to roll back to 10.)I went to Microsoft's web site, and found Windows Media Player 10(they still have it, though they're pushing 11 as of this writing).Copied my firmware files over to the non-Nomad aware machine.Powered up my Nomad, which took me to the rescue screen.Selected "Reload OS", and waited until it finished and returned meback to the Rescue screen.Launched the firmware update program, and plugged my Nomad in whenprompted.Windows saw the device and loaded it's own MTP drivers (remember, myNomad was already in MTP mode because of the partial 2.10.03firmware).As soon as Windows said my device was ready to use, the firmwareprogram saw it, and lit up the "Upgrade" button!Clicked the "Upgrade" button and waited anxiously through the reboots,like Dr. Frankenstein trying to revive his monster..."Your unit already has 2.10.03. Proceed?" "Hell yes!!!!"IT'S ALIVE!Giggled with glee as my brick, one step from the recycling centerturned into an MP3 player again! No iPod or Zune for me! I got myNomad back!So, I apparently was incorrect in thinking the 2.10.03 upgrade programexpects the Nomad to still be in the old Creative mode, because on a"virgin" PC, it recognized it in MTP mode. That's good news.I'm not sure how many of the steps above are really necessary, and Istill don't know what about my Nomad aware system was preventing itfrom working, but it appears from what I've read elsewhere, you'rebetter off rescuing a Zen Xtra with 2.10.03 on a system that's neverseen your jukebox before. (Maybe it was Media Player 11. Maybe itwas Creative MediaSource 5, maybe it was Notmad Explorer. Who knows!Anyway, I hope this tip helps someone else in the same predicament.It pays to have more than one system, and it pays to keep one barebones. 2ff7e9595c
Comments