New Refurb Coming -- Look For?

[Da5id]

I am to to recieve a new refurb 20GB H10 tomorrow. ($139 USD +5 shippping from Woot) Any suggestions as what to initially inspect for, both cosmetically and mechanically will be greatly appreciated. I've heard good refurbs replace scratched screens, etc., and I'm sorta picky. Thanks for any feedback. -- Gene

PS: My first portable player.

[imatt]

I ordered 2 from that deal, received both yesterday. Both are in perfect condition - no scratches at all.

They even came with the new version of the firmware on them!

Our first portables as well.

[pachinkoman]

Welcome to MR Da5id. I have never purchased a refurb, but if I did of course the first thing I would check would be phyisical condition.
If that was OK, I'd get the battery charged and start loading and listening to music to make sure it loaded and sounded OK.
While listening I would work all of the controls to make sure they operate as they are supposed to.
Lastly, I would run a test on the battery to see that it lasts an appropriate amount of time.
Hope that helps.

[jeff]

Looks like pachinko did a nice job of answering the question.....

[Da5id]

Originally Posted by imatt

I ordered 2 from that deal, received both yesterday. Both are in perfect condition - no scratches at all.

They even came with the new version of the firmware on them!

Our first portables as well.

Great. Woot usually has a lot of details in the nature of full disclosure, but as to these items I didn't see anything as to whether they were I River factory refurbished or third party. In any event, it sounds like their vendor is reputable going by what you received. My delivery has actually been rescheduled. I hope that doesn't mean they had to look elsewhere for a vendor. I don't think so, their business model seems to be to sell what's on hand until sellout. Good luck with your new toys.

[Da5id]

Originally Posted by pachinkoman

Welcome to MR Da5id. I have never purchased a refurb, but if I did of course the first thing I would check would be phyisical condition.
If that was OK, I'd get the battery charged and start loading and listening to music to make sure it loaded and sounded OK.
While listening I would work all of the controls to make sure they operate as they are supposed to.
Lastly, I would run a test on the battery to see that it lasts an appropriate amount of time.
Hope that helps.

pachinkoman,

Yes, that helps a lot. There is something of information overload here. do you recommend that I utilize Windows Media Player? Do I understand correctly that there are other alternatives, including full on "software interface" replacements? If there are, I'm sure that everyone has an opinion, but I'm not a real fan of Media Player. But I'll use it if it makes sense to not make any modifications initially and just get some music files on and make sure all the parts work as advertised. Any suggestions you may have regarding these issues will be greatly appreciated.

-- Gene

[smgundlach]

I'm new to this - how do I tell if the firmware is current?
Thanks

[pachinkoman]

Originally Posted by Da5id

pachinkoman,

Yes, that helps a lot. There is something of information overload here. do you recommend that I utilize Windows Media Player? Do I understand correctly that there are other alternatives, including full on "software interface" replacements? If there are, I'm sure that everyone has an opinion, but I'm not a real fan of Media Player. But I'll use it if it makes sense to not make any modifications initially and just get some music files on and make sure all the parts work as advertised. Any suggestions you may have regarding these issues will be greatly appreciated.

-- Gene

I am not a fan of wmp, and with this player it seems to cause a lot of problems. I drag and drop files to my 2 h10s and have never had a problem with either save for a couple of freezes over the course of a year +.
If you look through the h10 forums, I think you will see that a lot of the issues that continually pop up can in some way be connected to wmp/and or subscription based music services.

[devyanks90]

Originally Posted by smgundlach

I'm new to this - how do I tell if the firmware is current?
Thanks

bottom of settings menu

if it says 2.51 you're good to go

[itsmeguys]

definately use drag and drop, it is way easier , and if transfer times are too slow for you, connect in ums mode, and drag n drop that way, then update database with easyh10 and ur set to go

[druidfire217]

Most of the other media player softwares will support H10s. I currently use a combination of EasyH10 (with drag and drop), and Winamp (when it likes me and decides to "see" the player, it usually takes a minute or two). Others have used MediaMonkey, Musicmatch, etc. to good effect as well.

[Sector]

I'm going to send my mp3 player to iRiver to get it refurbish due to hard drive failure. I hope it will go well.

[chesspupil]

Isn't it correct that the firmare itself is 1.1, on the player, but the file says 2.51 on the PC?

Also, Music Match, it my choice for interface... I might try the different flavors of mods with my next format though