locked up initializing database

[gwtexas]

I installed Rockbox on my Sansa E250 successfully, but I apparently made a mistake when I tried to initialize the database with 1605 songs on it (with a 2GB micro SD card).  I can't get any computer, running on 3 different Windows (XP, WIN2k, Vista) to recognize it now. I can get to delete directories in Rockbox, and the upper left on the screen says deleted, but a small box in the center of the screen continually says "deleting". Is there a procedure I can perform to "unbrick" my Sansa?

[MarcGuay]

What are you trying to delete?  What happens if you plug it into USB while it's off? 

[gwtexas]

I was trying to delete audio folders to free up space so maybe the database could initialize, or just so my computer would recognize it. When I plug it in turned off, it turns on by itself with the same results.

[MarcGuay]

How does Windows react (or not react) when you plug it in?  Is there a message?  What USB mode do you have the Sansa firmware set to?

The most common reason the database initialization locks up is because of large-sized embedded album art which chokes it.  Second in line is corrupt files.

[gwtexas]

I have it in MSC mode. Windows just doesn't seem to see it. (XP,WIN2000, Vista). There is embedded album art, but since I cant access the player from the computer, I don't know how to take it off.

[Chronon]

What does the Sansa do when you plug it in?  Does it appear in the device manager?  What happens if you boot into the OF first, then insert the USB cable?

[gwtexas]

If I power it up into Rockbox, then plug it in, device manager sees: Rockbox internal storage USB device, and a Rockbox SD card slot USB device. Windows Explorer sees 2 lettered Removeable Disks, 0 bytes capacity.

If I plug it in, THEN power up into Rockbox, same as above.

If I power it up into the Sandisk FW, let the database refresh, and leave it at the menu, device manager sees 2 Sandisk Sansa e250 USB devices, windows explorer sees 2 lettered removeable drives, 0 bytes capacity. The Sansa screen says connected.

If I plug it in, THEN power up into the Sandisk FW, the screen is 10 or more vertical lines, semi dark background, and nothing shown in device manager or Windows Explorer.

[MarcGuay]

If I power it up into the Sandisk FW, let the database refresh, and leave it at the menu, device manager sees 2 Sandisk Sansa e250 USB devices, windows explorer sees 2 lettered removeable drives, 0 bytes capacity. The Sansa screen says connected.

This is the right way to do it for now.  If you open the drives, what happens?

[gwtexas]

If you mean on the computer, they are 0 byte capacity, nothing there. I  CAN play music in Sandisk mode, I just can't change it.

[Chronon]

Try running chkdsk on the main partition (the lower drive letter).  It shouldn't be displaying as 0B. 

Are you ejecting the microSD card before you connect to USB?  It's worth trying this if you haven't already.  According to this post by BigBambi, there can be some compatibility issues with 2GB SD cards.

[gwtexas]

Ejecting the SD card before powering up makes no difference. When I issue the chkdsk j: command, it says "cannot access volume for direct access". (J still shows as a 0 byte capacity removeable drive).

[Chronon]

Weird.  I wonder if your partition table got messed up somehow.  Can you tell me what Rockbox says if you go to System > Debug (Keep Out!) > View partitions?

I would like to clarify for casual readers (who might not click through on the link) that the compatibility issue that I mentioned earlier does not have to do with Rockbox itself.

[gwtexas]

Partition info:

P0:S:203
  T:B 1896 MB
P1:S:3B4800
  T:84.20 MB
P2:S:0
  T:0.0 MB
P3:S:0
  T:0.0 MB

That is with a 2GB SD card installed. I have another e250 that I just have audio books on right now (no SD card) that I have installed Rockbox on, but I have never initialized the database, and it shows the same information as the messed up one.

[gwtexas]

So, since the computer sees 0 byte capacity drives for my Sansa e250, is there anywau I can uninstall Rockbox or otherwise rectify this problem?

[Chronon]

Does the recovery partition appear properly if you boot into Recovery Mode?