locked up initializing database

[gwtexas]

Yes, it does.

[Chronon]

Well, I don't really know why nothing is showing up properly. 

I guess you could try the recovery process and see if a fresh installation solves this.

[gwtexas]

Maybe I should know this, but what is the recovery process?

[Chronon]

You can read about it here:
http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/SansaE200Unbrick

But usually this isn't needed unless the unit locks up due to a bad firmware. 

[gwtexas]

well, it doesn't lock up, I can listen to songs, just can't change them, since my computer sees a 0 byte capacity device. Should I enter recovery mode, put a new .mi4 file on it, then format it by copying an empty file called sansa.fmt to it then disconnecting?

[lynxah7]

Have you got music files that have embedded artwork in them? I've just had the exact same problem as you've described. I eventually worked out that it was due to adding a few files that had embedded artwork I didn't know about. Can't believe a few songs with this has caused so many problems, I thought my Sansa HD was on its way out, I'd already starting looking at a bloody replacement before I finally figured out what was wrong! 

The database hangs when you try to add a file with embedded artwork, so maybe that's your problem? To solve my problem I had to use recovery mode to revert back to an old firmware and then I was able to format my e280's HD (didn't get the 0 byte problem). Now everything is back to normal, using Rockbox in all its awesomeness 

edit - I've just noticed that you have, must have missed it the first time I read it, d'oh! Well you can always what I did to fix it and hope for the best!

[gwtexas]

Thank you. That's a real ray of light, sounds like a very real possibility. I'll format from recovery mode. Thanks again, hopefully it works.

edit: I had to enter recovery mode, copy a firmware (.mi4) file, then create a file named sansa.fmt and format the device. All is back, of course I had already bought another one. Is there any way to tell which files have embedded artwork and delete the artwork without deleting the music? I really like the Rockbox interface much better, but not if it's gonna brick the player.