Recovering from loading buggy firmware

[AAA]

Hi
My friend has a Sansa Clip Plus player.
Unfortunately, Some idiot took the player, and put his own firmware on it.
Intentionally, that firmware cannot be replaced by copying the file clppa.bin to the player root directory.
Anybody has an idea how to remove that firmware and recover the original, please?
Thanks a lot, for anybody who can help.
I read this: https://www.rockbox.org/wiki/SansaAMSUnbrick - I need a better (and less risky...) solution.

[saratoga]

Intentionally, that firmware cannot be replaced by copying the file clppa.bin to the player root directory.

What did they do exactly?  Outside of a handful of rockbox developers I don't think anyone would even know how to do this.

[AAA]

So I hope Rockbox developers can help me...
He changed the start screen, and removed some functions, like radio.
Anyway, as mentioned, copying original firmware named clpp?.bin to the root directory, does not affect anything.

[Mihail Zenkov]

So I hope Rockbox developers can help me...
He changed the start screen, and removed some functions, like radio.

First you should try reset settings: Setting > Manage Settings > Reset Settings

Anyway, as mentioned, copying original firmware named clpp?.bin to the root directory, does not affect anything.

You should boot to original FW (when player off - press left and power) for updating firmware. Updating OF will remove rockbox bootloader, but rockbox and their setting still stay in player - in ".rockbox" dir.

[saratoga]

So all they did was change some rockbox settings? Either reset them or if you want to uninstall follow the directions in the manual (copy firmware file then reboot into the Sandisk firmware).

[AAA]

No, there is no Rockbox on the player.
Can not reset.
The programmer made his changes on the original SanDisk firmware.
I want to remove the altered firmware and recover the original.

[saratoga]

Only Sandisk can make changes to the Sandisk firmware. If you have the Sandisk firmware installed, you have exactly what they gave you.

It is not really possible to help you if you do not describe the problem. You should begin by doing that.

[AAA]

OK.
Some programmer took my friend player (Sansa Clip Plus), and return it without the radio and other options, and with his own logo at the startup.
There was no Rockbox installed on the player, not before that, and not after that.
We want to recover the player to the original state.
Any idea?

[AAA]

Well, I see there is no one know about any backdoor to recovery mode.
So, I have to disassemble the player...
Thanks anyway.

[saratoga]

What's the firmware version installed?

[AAA]

I think it is based on version 01.02.16