READ FILE SYSTEM error (iHP-140 frozen)

[dac]

My iHP-140 is frozen at the "READ FILE SYSTEM" screen. Also, it says "connected" when I attach the usb cable but the unit is not showing up in Windows Explorer. Does this mean it is dead? I just bought it brand new and it worked for a little while (although sporadically, with some freezes) and I loaded all my music (5,000 songs) on it. I even installed a database using the iHP Manager software. I have already tried resetting the unit with a paperclip but it doesn't help. Should I return it? Thanks.

[sweetspot]

Couple questions. What OS are you using, and have you tried using the file tree system rather than the DB feature ? This behavior sounds very abnormal, and it's the first time I've ever heard of such a thing period.

Can you tell me step by step how what you did when you connected the IHP to the pc ? Was it on when you connected it ? (the IHP) Did you drop the IHP ? Where did you buy it ?

What type of files are on it ? All mixed or what ?

[dac]

No, I didn't drop it And I followed all the instructions regarding setting it up. I am using Windows Xp and the files I loaded on it are mp3s. Actually, someone else had the same problem with an iHp-120. I googled "Read File System" and found this: User Forum - iRiver International
... Tried a reset but on start up the unit just stays in READ FILE SYSTEM state. ... Subject
: [iHP-120] RE : MAJOR CRASH WITH NEW FIRMWARE, By : Big D, Posted : Dec 02 ...
www.iriver.com/ community/discussion_list.asp? top_title=User%20For um&pre_idx=8723 - 40k -

[sweetspot]

Wow. Sounds like trouble. Though I don't have enough info about your player in order to reach any valid conclusions. I'd send it back..this isn't typical behavior, and sounds like someone at the factory was careless with this particular unit. I wouldn't take this experience to heart though, time has shown that this particular thing is rare, (I'm not even sure if what you pointed to is the same issue) and not linked to the greater percentage of IHP owners players.

Sorry though, that sucks. Good thing there's a years warranty. Get in touch with Iriver, they'll send you a new unit.

[dac]

Actually, it seems that link is about a slightly different problem but with the same result (although temporarily for that guy.) Mine seems to be of a more permanent nature. The other weird thing is if I leave the unit on for awhile it "unfreezes" itself sometimes and starts to play a song. It even allowed me to hook it back up to my pc. I deleted the irivernavi.db database file to see if that would help but I still get the same symptoms. It freezes at the "READ FILE SYSTEM" screen and the buttons are unresponsive. I'm going to send it back to Amazon.com for a refund. By the way, I got it on sale for $430, free shipping. Thanks for your help, anyway

[sweetspot]

On SALE for $430 ? Where do you live ? Oh, and be very careful with Amazon. I'm sure they're going to give you a refurbed model rather than a new one. Your chances of getting a new one are better if you contact Iriver.

[Big D]

My original iHP-120 did have to be replaced because of this problem - couldn't get past the "read file system" screen. I think from everything I've seen and hear about it that the database is at fault.

dac, try disabling the database in the menu when you get the player working again. See if this corrects the problem. If it continues to occur I'd recommend returning the player to where it was purchased (under warranty).

Another thing to do would be to delete everything off the iHP and run a disc checker on the iHP to see if there are any faulty sectors causing the problem.

Hope this helps.

[dac]

Actually, this was new and is still on sale: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...onics&n=507846
I live in NYC, btw. Anyway, I also upgraded the firmware to 1.40 just now to see if it would help. Still freezes at the "READ FILE SYSTEM" screen but will eventually work after about 10 minutes.

[dac]

I have tried it with and without the database. No difference. If it's bad sectors I don't want it. My experience with bad sectors on a hard drive is it's a precursor to hd crash.

[Big D]

You shouldn't have any problem getting a return with the nature of the fault.

I'd recommend getting it refunded and then reordering because in the States it seems to be acceptable practice to use refurbished models to replaced faulty ones.

[sweetspot]

OMG...there goes my old age showing its self again..either that or I have ADD, because I thought you had the 120 ! Yes...I know guys...Reading Is Fundamental !

Did you do a scandisc check on it ? either way, I'd send it right back. First, call them. Do NOT bother speaking with a regular sales person, ask politely to speak with a manager or someone higher. Tell them the situation, and make sure they're sending you a new unit...this warrants one for sure.

hmm...I didn't know you had this problem Big D. Interesting. I'm just so curious to know though, what the main cause is...software, hardware, or human error at the factory ?

[dac]

Oh, you thought I paid too much! Actually, $430 w/free shipping for a new iHP-140 is a great deal, I'm pretty sure. Anyway, I'm sending this lemon back for a refund.

[coreman]

DAC, I think your problem is that you have all your tracks loaded into one or two folders. The "read file system" isn't an error, it is telling you that it is trying to read your tracks. Since it is taking so long for the player to boot up (you also said it will eventually start playing)

Also the same problem of too many tracks in a folder may cause the player to not "show up on Explorer" for some time and appear to be locked up.

If you go through a USB 1.1 (like I have), this takes me around 20-30 seconds before it will show up on the PC. I don't have my tracks loaded into one folder or a couple folders but I suspect that if I did it would take much longer for it to mount.

SUGGESTION: Redo your file layout into "Artist"->"Album"->"Song"....and put no more than 40 songs in a single folder.

Your player should start acting normal. I also think you have USB 1.1 because of the slowness of the mounting process.

Do you have USB 1.1 or USB 2 connection to your computer?

Please post back here how your music is organized and what USB speed you are using...it may help to fix the problem.

I don't think it is the player.

[dac]

What you're saying makes sense and, yes, the songs are all in one folder. I just copy/pasted them from my hard drive to the iHP-140 (duh.) Actually, when I had my iPod I used Musicmatch or iTunes to transfer the files. I also remember that when I got the Effpod software I could see that there were numerous folders for my 5,000 songs, but iPod did this automatically. If I use Musicmatch to transfer the songs will the iHP create the requisite number of folders automatically? I have hundreds of artists and if I have to do this manually it's too much work. Thanks! Btw, I have usb2.0.

[coreman]

Okay, this is good...your player isn't defective.

I have used "The Godfather" to rename my tracks but I haven't used to create a new directory tree structure.

I hope some others here can help you create a whole new directory tree from your track labels.

The iHP won't create any folders, basically you drag and drop in Win Ex what you have on your PC.

I don't remember any more how to use MMatch but there is a way to recreated the directory tree from your tags...just don't remember how.

I am going to go off and look at Godfather over my lunch and see if there is a way to create the right directory format without too much of a problem.

"The Godfather" is freeware so if I can find a solution there, you'll be able to do it as well.

Best thing would be for anyone who has Music Match to help on this...

[dac]

As soon as I deleted all my songs the unit booted up and I was able to connect right away. Hmm, so if I dl the songs using Musicmatch it won't work right either? I await your suggestions....

[sweetspot]

I'm fascinated by the nature of this problem. I've heard of people having all of their songs in one folder without problems, so what in fact is the killing factor here ?

[dac]

5,000 songs in one folder is a lot to scan before booting, I guess. Um, so how do I dl my songs automatically without f-ing up again? This Godfather thingy or some other program? And, if I may be so bold, doesn't (shouldn't?) iRiver have a little proggy that will do this? And why don't they tell you in their manual how to properly transfer your music? It seems like such a basic thing to include.

[coreman]

Originally Posted by Sweet Spot

I'm fascinated by the nature of this problem. I've heard of people having all of their songs in one folder without problems, so what in fact is the killing factor here ?

Every time there is a complaint of a slow boot, or "READ FILES SYSTEM" error, it is because the tracks are loaded into one or two folders, without exception. I've not personally had any experience with anyone who has all music in a single folder and not had a problem.

It would be interesting if you can get the details on how they have the directory tree organized.

By single folder, I mean there aren't any subfolders in it, all tracks are at the second level.

I've also noticed a peculiarity in playlists and how they load, the player seems to load songs (during "READ FILES" action) at roughly 50 songs per second, I would guess this about the same as the scan speed during boot up.

As a consequence, I have limited my playlists to a max of (300) songs (takes about 6-7 seconds to load). You can test this yourself, make a 1000 song playlist and a 250 song playlist and time it when you hit the "A-B" button, you'll see the difference and it is pretty repeatable.

I had a similar problem with my Archos player but the Rockbox firmware somehow improved the scan rate and dropped my boot time by nearly 50% so I think it can be improved in the firmware. As it is now, it isn't a problem for me with the standard directory tree.

The more folders there are, the faster the boot cycle and I would presume the faster the USB mounting process.

It seems to be the player attempts to open to the second level during boot and USB mount and that is where it gets hung up. It would be an interesting test to go to the third level and have one enormous "album" and see if it slows down the boot process. It may not slow down until one actually tries to access it, that is click on the "enormous album" and then it may hang for a while.

Off to take a look at Godfather and see if there is a way to create a directory tree from the tags!

[coreman]

Originally Posted by dac

5,000 songs in one folder is a lot to scan before booting, I guess. Um, so how do I dl my songs automatically without f-ing up again? This Godfather thingy or some other program? And, if I may be so bold, doesn't (shouldn't?) iRiver have a little proggy that will do this? And why don't they tell you in their manual how to properly transfer your music? It seems like such a basic thing to include.

Okay something else to consider, there is a recycle bin on the player that is hidden and right now, unless you did a shift delete, all your files are sitting in it.

The easiest way to empty it is to hook your iHP back to the PC and empty the recycle bin on your PC...it will also empty the recycle bin on the player at the same time.

I'm working on the "Godfather" thing but I hope someone else may have a better way to create a normal directory view from the 5K files you have since I am also relatively new to the MP3 tagging game....

BTW, your question on the "tagging thing" and being included on the CD is definitely something that iRiver is missing...everyone has MM because it comes on so many MP3 player software discs or computers...iRiver should include better instructions on how to construct a directory and which software is preferred..a real shortcoming but that is why we are here!

[sweetspot]

Hmm..interesting, and most unfortunate. I'm lucky that I'm such a neat freak. I've always manually managed my entire PC's File tree structure since day one. I'm quite comfortable swimming in Wind0ze Explorer. At the moment, I have 2 HD's in my PC, and a total of 7 partitions including C: Don't ask why, it's called "Doug's infallible house of logic".

5000 Tunes is quite a bit of work if you have to organize them manually, especially if the files aren't tagged properly. I have a question for you...where did the files come from. If they came from somewhere other than a CD, (you know where I mean) then you may be in for a real ride.

Someone here said they have 30,000 tunes on their PC, (can't remember who ) but I'd be willing to bet that they have a solution...with that many files, how can one NOT have a great program to help with sorting and all that stuff ?

There IS this one program whose name is on the tip of my tongue, it's a shareware alternative to Windows Explorer, and I think it can do this...Gimmie some time, I'll remember what it is.