FAQ: XCOPY Method
Notes: This FAQ was written to address the
XCOPY Method ONLY. It includes how to do the XCOPY method and some frequently asked questions regarding the XCOPY Method.
Compatible Players: US and International H3x0 Players
Cautions: Please backup your files before doing XCOPY, XCOPY takes longer than dragging and dropping.
For a Linux version please see this post by TedJ
Q. What is XCOPY?
A. The XCOPY method can shorten boot times on the H3x0 player. XCOPY is a method used to improve the FAT table layout on the H3x0 hard drive. (Boot time: The ammount of time required for the H3x0 player to become fully functional after pressing the (On/Play) button).
Q. How long does it take to do the XCOPY Method?
A. This depends on the amount of songs/files your are copying and the speed of the connection. **Caution the XCOPY method can take significantly longer than dragging and dropping.
Q. Does the XCOPY directory structure stay intact after multiple removals/additions of files? Do I need to repeat the process of XCOPY?
A. No, the XCOPY directory structure does not stay intact after multiple removals/additions of files and directories. You may need to repeat the XCOPY process to maintain shorter boot times.
Q. Does defragging the H300 hard drive do the exact same thing as XCOPY?
A. Not exactly. XCOPY is slightly different. XCOPY modifies the FAT table so that the H3x0 knows where things are without scanning. Degfragmenting the H3x0 hard drive puts things in sequence and has been done with some users noticing slight improvement of boot time. Defragmenting the H3x0 appears to be harmless.
Q. Do I need to turn off the "DB Scan" function of my H300 off after doing the XCOPY?
A. Yes. (I don't know why)
Q. If I use XCOPY will I lose the DRM capability of my player?
A. No. You will only lose DRM capability if you upgrade firmware on the US H3x0 players(1.27k,1.25k)
Q. Can I delete via XCOPY?
A. No. Assemble all files you want from your player to your computers hard drive. Format the H3x0 hard drive using the option on the player itself. Repeat the XCOPY Process with the files you assembled onto the computer.
Q. How do I use the XCOPY?
Answer Below:
Step 1. Create a full backup of your H320/340 by creating a directory called "H3x0 backup" and dragging all files and directories to the "H3x0 backup" directory you just created.
Step 2. Delete all files including directories and hidden files from your H3x0 Hard drive. You can also Format the H3x0 Hard drive. If you delete from Windows make sure to empty the "Recycle Bin".
<<How to Format>
Step 1. Press and Hold (Navi) button
Step 2. Scroll to "General" using the (-), (+), (<<), (>>) buttons.
Step 3. Select "General" by pressing the (Navi) button.
Step 4. Scroll to "Format" using the (-), (+), (<<), (>>) buttons.
Step 5. Select "Format" by pressing the (Navi) button.
Step 6. Scroll to "YES" using the (-), (+), (<<), (>>) buttons.
Step 7. Select "Yes" by pressing the (Navi) button.
Step 8. Press the (Navi) button to format or cancel by pressing the (OFF/[]) button
</How to Format>>
Step 3. Open a DOS Command Prompt by either going to Start>>Programs>>Acc essories>>Command Prompt or Start>>Run and type in "cmd" in the dialog window and clicking OK.
Step 4. In the DOS Command Prompt navigate to the backup of your H320/340 using the "cd" command. For example if the "H3x0 backup" directory was located in subfolders like "C:\Documents and Settings\Username\My Documents\H3x0 backup\" you would type "cd /d C:\Documents and Settings\Username\My Documents\H3x0 backup\"
Step 5. Copy the directory structure from your "H3x0 backup" to your H3x0 hard drive using the "xcopy E: /T" command. (E representing the drive letter assigned to you H3x0 hard drive.
Step 6. Defragment the H3x0 hard drive using a Defragmenting program. To access the Windows Defragmenting program go to Start>>Programs>>Acc essories>>System Tools>>Disk Defragmenter. **Verify that the directory structure is at the beginning of the H3x0 hard drive. (It may not be noticeable at first but look at the very start of the "Estimated disk usage before/after defragmentation" bar).
Step 7. Copy the Subdirectories and Files by using the "xcopy * E: /S" command in the DOS Command Prompt to copy the remaining subdirectories and files (mp3,text,wma, etc.) from the "H3x0 backup" directory. (E representing the drive letter assigned to your H3x0 hard drive.
Step 8. Turn off the DB Scanning Function on the H3x0 Player.
<How to turn off DB Scan>
Hold (Navi) button
Select "General" with the (Navi) button
Scroll Down with the (-) button
Select "DB Scan" with the (Navi) button
Scroll with the (<<) or (>>) button to "NO"
Select "NO" with the (Navi) button
</How to turn off DB Scan>
Step 9. Defragment the H3x0 Hard Drive.
To access the Windows Defragmenting program go to Start>>Programs>>Acc essories>>System Tools>>Disk Defragmenter.
Sources: andrewmel, Mr. Anderson, Astec123, Search
Keywords: X Copy, Xcopy, boot time, navigation, back up, drm, delete, structure