Can't initialize database on Sansa c250

[Theot]

I've tried installing RB 4 times now.  It starts up, but I get the same thing every time.  I go to initialize the database and it will say "building database.............741 (sometimes in  the 900's) and that's all it does.  I can't find any music by going to files.  I'm using build # r16440M-080227.  I've done it manual twice and automatic twice with no success.  RB seems to run, I just can't get it to find the music.  The music is stored under the "Music" folder in the MSC mode.  It's a V1 C250.  Not sure what else to say, I'd love some help, really like to use RB!!!!

[MarcGuay]

Not sure why the database is choking but the answer to your Music folder woes is here:

http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/SansaFAQ#Problem_Troubleshooting_Question

[Theot]

I did set it to view all files.  I can see the folders but that's it.  

Tried both of those, nada, database does the same thing and I can see folders still but no files.

[MarcGuay]

Okay, well maybe some more details will help... What type of music files are they?  Are they on the main drive or a microSD card?  If you put a single music file in the root directory can you see it?  Maybe try different file types? If you connect your player via USB in the Sansa firmware you can find the files on your device?  

[Theot]

mp3 files, all tagged, on the main drive.  They all show up and work fine in the sansa firmware.  can't even see a single music file in the root directory.  

[pixelma]

Are those mp3 files bought from an online music store, so probably DRMed? If so, Rockbox can't play those - I'm not sure how the database will deal with them.

If not, you say they are tagged - what kind of tags do they have? Rockbox expects ID3 tags for mp3, however some PC music programs allow APE tags as well and let you tag mp3 files with those.

If this is still not the cause, then I'm out of ideas. Except checking the file view once more...

[petur]

if you set file view to all then you must/will see all files.
Maybe post your config.cfg file to check

[Theot]

Are those mp3 files bought from an online music store, so probably DRMed? If so, Rockbox can't play those - I'm not sure how the database will deal with them.

If not, you say they are tagged - what kind of tags do they have? Rockbox expects ID3 tags for mp3, however some PC music programs allow APE tags as well and let you tag mp3 files with those.

If this is still not the cause, then I'm out of ideas. Except checking the file view once more...

I'm not sure what DRMed is.  However I've even tried it with ones I've ripped from a CD.    The way I tagged them is in WinAmp using the autotagger, which shows me ID3v1 & ID3v2 tags.  If there are any other tags I've no idea how to find out if they are there.  

IDK, file view is set to view all as far as I can tell and I can view the Rockbox system files, but no music files.  

I'd really like to try to make this work it sounds like great firmware, I'm at a loss as to why I can't use.  It seemed to run fine after the manual install, but just to be sure I didn't do anything wrong I've done it with the auto install twice too with the same result.  Is there another file format that you'd recommend I try?

[Theot]

Well, I give up, I obviously don't need it that bad, spent way to much time on it already.  Thanks for the help.

[tommyli]

I had the same problem. My c250 has original firmware 1.01.05P. When booting it with the original firmware in the MSC mode, I can not see all the mp3 files and it looks like they are renamed to .DAT files. If I create a directory other than SYSTEM and put .mp3 files inside, I can browse them and play them in Rockbox.

But when I try to use database to view the songs, it always ask me to reboot the player first.
Update: this issue has been solved by deleting some songs from the internal storage. There was not enough space on the disk. However, I still can not listen/view mp3 songs that was loaded through the original firmware in MTP mode.

Is there a compatibility between the current version of Rockbox and the sansa c250 1.01.05P firmware?

One more thing, before the player boot to original firmware, the printout displays something like:

Model id: e200
.....

Is it supposed to display: Model Id: c200 instead of e200?

[Strife89]

I believe songs transferred through MTP mode are appended so that only the Sansa firmware - and the PC that loaded them - can read the files properly.

[Theot]

Success!!!  It never occurred to me to put the files in a folder in MSC mode!!!  I was doing it in MTP.

Drag and drop them in and wham, works like a charm!!!

Thank you Tommyli and Strife89.  Hello and thanks Rockbox!!!!