Database won't build/start on iRiver H100

[Toby]

I've been using my iRiver H100 with Rockbox for years in the car for audio books. Due the recent death of my old Rio Karma which provided the house music player, I decided to repurpose the H100 for music. However the Database, which I didn't use previously, won't "build".

If I start database, it just seems to stop in the screen with the message Building Database, and followed by a number which I assume is the music file total, (3220). No Disk Activity light.
I've run chkdsk in Wins7 and no errors were found. i also checked for bad blocks in Linux. Searching the files there are no image files or wma files present. Only mp3 and some flac files.

I'm using older build 3.5 as I've never needed to update. Any suggestions or ideas appreciated.

[Julian67]

I would try several things:

First remove all the database files already created.  Restore Rockbox to default config (Settings>Manage Settings>Reset Settings).  You can back up your current config or custom sound config first.

Check if the disk is almost full.  If you have less than 5% free space then delete some stuff until you have 10% free space.  Either way do a fragmentation check and defrag if required.

Run the database build with the player on the power supply.

If it still chokes then attach to PC, actually delete the .rockbox folder and install a fresh copy, same version if you prefer, safe remove/umount and reboot and try again.

My H140's disk was always unaccountably slow compared to my H340 and I recently replaced it with an SSD and it is really responsive now (and silent and vibration free).  I also have an H340 still with original hard disk and it still runs an older Rockbox version 3.5.1 as I got a bit of system noise or interference with newer versions on this specific device.  The older version is fine; in practice the newer versions add some convenience features and a good crossfeed but you needn't feel like you are missing something absolutely vital if you prefer to stick with an older version.  The hard disks in my iRivers have lasted longer than several others in laptops and desktops and seem really durable but any H100 series player with original disk must be on borrowed time by now, especially if it has been getting vibration from your car whenever you use it.  If your disk is on its way out I'd definitely recommend replacing it with SSD, they have become quite cheap.

[Toby]

First, thanks for the response. I hadn't mentioned I'd tried two of these and have since tried the others you suggest, to no avail.

>First remove all the database files already created.

Yes, tried that. Also ran with PSU plugged in. I've since updated to 3.13 also, with about 30% space free. Tried resetting to default. I checked for bad sectors and none are found so the drive is in good shape. (The iriver wasn't used a lot). Trying it again hasn't recreated the database file though

[Julian67]

I'm not sure what else to suggest but there is more to disk health than an absence of bad sectors and any original H100 disk must by now be considered to be beyond its expected lifespan.  If all else fails then the cheapest way to try a different disk would be to use a CF to IDE adapter and try the player with a Compact Flash drive.

It does occur to me that maybe the database doesn't build because your files aren't tagged so there is no metadata with which to build a database?

[Toby]

Thanks anyway.  The metadata was interesting idea so I checked, about 95% were tagged, so I fixed the rest, but to no avail. I appreciate the suggestions though.