New Sansa Clip+: can't load RB utility

[HiFiPoke]

Attempted to install RockBox Utility 3.12 on brand new Clip+.  Get error that the 'original firmware unknown', showing versions .... 01.02.16, 01.02.18 are 'valid'.

Firmware showing on the player is 01.02.18A

Please advise on how to proceed.

Thanks.

[saratoga]

What firmware file did you give it?

Edit:  To be clear, I mean what was the firmware version of the .bin file you gave the installer?

[bluebrother]

Attempted to install RockBox Utility 3.12 on brand new Clip+.  Get error that the 'original firmware unknown', showing versions .... 01.02.16, 01.02.18 are 'valid'.

There is no Rockbox Utility 3.12. We do have Rockbox 3.12, but that numbering is independent. I'm assuming you're using Rockbox Utility 1.3.0 which is the latest release. (And you don't install Rockbox Utility -- you install Rockbox. It's a small but important difference )

Firmware showing on the player is 01.02.18A

The firmware installed on the player is irrelevant. To install Rockbox you need to perform a firmware upgrade. For this you need to pass Rockbox Utility a firmware file -- it is not possible to read it from the player. The file you pass it has to be one of the versions displayed.

[HiFiPoke]

I apologize for the imprecision... I downloaded Release 3.12, which unzipped Rockbox Utility 3.1.2

When I connected the Clip+ to my PC, it showed the player as Device D:, and had folders directories showing on D:.  I copied the folders and .bin file to a new folder on my C: drive, then directed the Rockbox Utility to find it there.. should I have directed it to the .bin file on the player (D:)?

..thanks for your patience..

[saratoga]

When I connected the Clip+ to my PC, it showed the player as Device D:, and had folders directories showing on D:.  I copied the folders and .bin file to a new folder on my C: drive, then directed the Rockbox Utility to find it there.. should I have directed it to the .bin file on the player (D:)?

It doesn't matter where the files are.

Like was said above, the important thing is what files you used.  Since the installer can't recognize the bin file, you probably used the wrong one.  Could you please say which files you used?  It won't be possible to help you until you do

[HiFiPoke]

Looking at the D: drive (clip+ device), there are folders for audible, audiobooks, music, podcasts, record.  Then there are 5 files in the root directory: DID.bin, MTABLE.SYS, RES_INFO.SYS, SYS_CONFIG.SYS, version.sdk

I copied the 5 files above to a folder on the C: drive, and directed the Utility to find them there.

I am ignorant as to how to determine the firmware version from any of the 5 files listed.

[saratoga]

I copied the 5 files above to a folder on the C: drive, and directed the Utility to find them there.

The firmware file is downloaded from the Sandisk website, its not present on your mp3 player.  Run the installer again, and this time when it prompts you for a file, read the text on the screen explaining where to get it from.

[HiFiPoke]

Ahhhh..

I can now personally attest that it works so much better when you follow directions..    ..Rockbox now installed..

..thanks for your patience and help..