"No .rockbox directory" & Loading MP3s into Folders

[Rockenstein]

I'm posting here (first post) because I think I at least got Rockbox 2.5 (last stable release) properly installed on my Archos Jukebox Studio 20. I need help, but realize I'm an advanced PC user studying for A+ cert and know more about BIOS, Hard Drives, and OS's than the average guy. I've read the Manual and the FAQ but can't find info about loading MP3s onto my Archos using folders created in Windows (XP). Is there a certain folder tree structure recommendation? Is there a limit to the number of folders and/or subfolders containing MP3 for Rockbox? I see in the FAQ to use drag-and-drop in windows explorer with USB cable (like I used to do with old Archos OS). I just don't want to make a mistake since it took me many hours of work to get this far.

A little history: I had to call Archos tech after a drive error and was told to format with FAT32. No problem (just lost 12GB of MP3s). Then I used the "Directory Snoop" application your FAQ recommends to purge hidden leftover files. No problem. But I still couldn't update Archos firmware (like I had before), so I formatted again, checked that there were no more red entries in Directory Snoop, and installed Rockbox. I even got the Archos tech to admit, off the record, that he's used it and it works. I followed your website instructions and unzipped "rockbox-2.5-player" to the Archos root drive letter (J:/ in my case)

So now I think I need to create folders because when I turn the unit on I first see the on-chip info "Jukebox v.5.06", then "Rockbox" in large letters, but then "No .rockbox directory". After that I see a menu starting with "(icon) rockbox", next line "(icon)  archos". Both of these I can navigate further. I dont know what to do next. Since Rockbox was installed, I have not yet turned on the unit while connected to the PC.

Am I ready to load folders and subfolders containing only clean MP3 that were created on my PC?  After that will the unit stop saying "No .rockbox directory"? Please help. Thank you.

P.S. I have not installed the utility.

[shoe]

Hi if you unzipped "rockbox-2.5-player" to the Archos root drive letter, then it should create a folder called ".rockbox" there.  So when you look at your J drive you should see

J:\.rockbox\

If you don't then you messed up somehow, and this is the problem.

As far as loading music you can put it anywhere in any folder system you like (drag and drop), although it's probably not a good idea to keep it in the .rockbox folder.

[Rockenstein]

You said: "when you look at your J drive..."  But I can only do that when my Archos is connected to my PC, right? I posted that I have not yet connected to my PC since installing Rockbox. So please tell me if there is a problem I should fix first, or should I connect to my PC and look at the drive. Thanks

[shoe]

I would connect it to the PC and check, since I don't think you will be able to fix any problems without connecting it to the PC anyway.

[yapper]

2.5 is an old build. You might have more luck with a current build from http://build.rockbox.org/

[LambdaCalculus]

If Rockenstein wants to use v2.5, he can. There's also the Windows installer that automatically installs it.

Rockenstein, I recommend using a different archive extractor program. Try 7-Zip.

[Rockenstein]

Thanks. I'm going to format and use the Windows installer.

[Rockenstein]

YES! It works! Thanks LambdaCalculus379! I used the windows installer from the link you provided for RockBox 2.5. Then I drag-n-dropped one folder containing one CD of separate 128 bitrate MP3 tracks. Then I tested and it is playing the tracks nicely and even proceeds to next tracks in proper order automatically.