Creative Zen:M gets "USB Device Not Recognized"

[pjamese3]

I store a copy of all my music on my ZVM. Currently, I'm deployed to Iraq and have enjoyed listening to my music, audio books, watching videos, etc on my off time. However, I recently experienced a problem with it. A week ago, I transferred music to my ZVM with no problem. Yesterday, I plugged it in and got the dreaded "USB Device Not Recognized" error.
I figured I could fix it. After all, I maintain computers and networks in my job. Apparently not. I went through the following troubleshooting procedures:
-Tried to connect it several times in the different ports in my computer.
-Restarted the computer and tried. Same thing.
-Tried several other computers. My original one is a Dell. the others were a Dell and a Panasonic. Same result. All of them are running XP, service pack 2 and are current on updates. Also, I had been able to bring my ZVM up on the original computer before.
-Nothing comes up in Device Manager when I connect the ZVM. It does charge and behave normally otherwise, though.
- By moving it around to different ports and repeatedly trying to reconnect it, I was able to get my computer to recognize the player several times...partially. It came up as a removable device; not as a media player. I didn't have the software CD available to try to load it.
-One thing I haven't been able to try is changing out the data/power cable. I've been using one I purchased on Amazon years ago that replaces the adapter creative ships the player with. What I'm hoping is that there is a problem with the cable. I have another one back in my CHU (living quarters.) When I get back, I'll try to swap it out.
I figure it's one of 3 things:
1) Bad data/power cable (I hope.)
2) Bad ZVM mother board.
3) Bad cable connector on ZVM.
Has anyone come up with a positive fix for this? I've tried everything else listed on the board?

[CrowdAds]

[coachop94]

Have you tried going into recovery mode & doing cleanup>reboot on the player. If the motherboard was bad it would do some other things to let you know .I would think it's most likely the cable. It is pretty hot there & the cable has some age on it. A side note I hope you'll be home soon & thank you for serving in the Armed Forces. What branch are you in? We are Retired USMC.HOO-RAH

[pjamese3]

Yes, I went into recovery mode and did a clean up, then a reboot. the system rebuilt and I powered it back on. Still the same problem. Everything seems to be working fine except for the USB recognition. I hope it is just the cable. I'll find out in a couple of days when I get back in out out of the sand. I'll let the forum know.

BTW, I won't hold being a Marine against you ;-) I'll be back home next summer and 6 months later, I'll be retired Army. Hooah!!

[coachop94]

Looking forward to finding out the culprit. Glad you'll be home soon. BTW I won't hold being an Army soldier against you

[BobbyRS]

Hello pjamese3. Welcome to ABI. It sounds like you have a hardware issue preventing connectivity like a bad cable, sync adapter (dongle), or the ZVM itself. I would at least try a new cable, swap out the sync adapter (if you have access to one), and check the sync adapter and data port on the ZVM for bent or miss aligned pins. You could also try connecting the ZVM to a computer with a known working USB port and while connected, wiggle the sync adapter and USB cable around to see if the computer begins detecting something. Good luck!<!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[pjamese3]

Good news. I finally got back and tried my extra cable. Worked like a charm. I'm good to go now, just need to buy another backup cable from Amazon.

[BobbyRS]

Those damn cables. Nice job. Enjoy!