710 Audioplayer conundrum

[bent]

Hi all. I hope someone can help me.

I have a 710, which I haven't used in a while because
I bought a new computer running Windows XP. I finally
installed Palm Desktop using the file from the Sony
site. I also (not realizing I didn't have to)
installed OpenMG from the original CD (I don't run
NTFS, so didn't need the updated version). I also did
a hard reset before doing this just because I wanted
to clear all the old files, programs, etc. out.

Everything works great, except...

I can move mp3s over to the Clie using Transfer mode
of Audioplayer into Palm\Programs\MSaudio. I can see
them in Windows Explorer. I can see them on the Clie
from Real Jukebox. I can even run them using
Musicmatch on my PC while they are stored on the
memory stick, so I know they are not corrupted. They
are files I've played before on the Clie, so I know
they are not coded at too high a level. But,
Audioplayer says "No Music Tracks".

Any ideas?

Thanks very much for any help you can offer.
Tom

[Mason]

Tom,

This may sound like brute force, but try another hard reset now that you have done a sync with your new desktop. I recently had a discussion with someone else in a similar situation; (i.e. we were sure the files on the stick were not corrupted,) nothing he could do would cause the files to play. Finally, a hard reset was done and everything worked fine.

Mason Love

[bent]

Mason,

Thanks for the suggestion. Just tried it, but same deal. Everything works, except Audioplayer which still says "No Music Tracks". Just occurred to me that I never upgraded my 710 firmware - do you know if that could be the problem?

Thanks,
Tom

[Mason]

Hi Tom,

Sorry, I do not know the answer to your question on firmware. A POR (hard reset) should return the O/S, applications and microcode (firmware) to brand-new state. I do not know enough to adivise you further on this.

Good luck! When you do get playing, please let me know what you did.

Mason

[bent]

Mason,

With respect to firmware, I was thinking about the 4.1 system upgrade done by Sony dealers or by flashing the system. Do you know anything about this?

Thanks,
Tom

[Mason]

Hello Tom,

Have you ever been able to play music, or is this the first time you have attempted it? If this is first try, you can verify your sound circuits and earphones work by listening to some alarm sounds.

If you are hearing sound, but MP3's do not play, then it is likely you have some incompatibility between application and O/S code. If your machine is still under warranty, I would suggest contacting Sony and/or retail shop to discuss warranty service.

If you are outside warranty and do not wish to pay for service, then you will have to proceed on your own. I have no experience doing flashes to Sony devices, but see no reason why this should work.

I am very conservative when it comes to working with unfamiliar software and devices. If you are planning to this, a word of caution: ensure the battery is fully charged and secure device to the cradle with an elastic band. (An interrupted flash may permanently destroy your machine.) Read all the documentation thoroughly before starting anything. Look through the old threads here and the other Palm boards, I believe there are a couple which discuss flashing. If possible, talk to someone who has done it.

Mason

[Scott777]

I think you need to re-format your memory stick. Backup everything on the stick to your pc first then use the Clie's format utility in MSgate (not windows!) and then transfer the files back. All should be good after that.


Scott

[bent]

Scott,

Thanks for the suggestion. I just tried reformatting the stick and still no dice. MS Gate can see the mp3 files, my desktop can see them (and even play them from the MS), but for some reason Audioplayer can't see them. I've tried two different Memory Sticks and both have the same issue.

Any other ideas? Anyone?

Thanks,
Tom

[colmag]

One important thing i learnt after wasting a couple of hours writing MP3's that wouldn't work, is that you have to encode them as stereo 44Khz, between 32 and 128kbps. I inadvertently made some at 30something hkz, and i got the no music tracks message as well.

[MarkyAndy]

Hey GUys! You're all giving Tom the wrong advice:). Tom, when the original Audioplayer came out, it had only the ability to play ATRAC3 files which can be transferred via OpenMG JB. Of course, that means u can use this program to convert all your MP3s to ATRAC3 before transferring to your memory stick. Downfall is, you need the white sticks to play this format (duh!). So, people complained, and lo and behold! they updated audioplayer to play MP3s from the purple sticks or white ones without using OpenMG!. Only problem is, you'll need to upgrade your 710C to the 760C firmware cause the first version of audioplayer to do that is in the 760C. HOpe I helpped you out there! Uh, don't ask me where to get the upgrade though, I know Sony offered them the last time, I don't know about now though..

Kenn.

[bent]

Kenn,

Thanks for the advice, but I'm not completely sure about it. I had been merrily using my 710 to play mp3s before I upgraded my pc to one with xp and consequently had to upgrade my conduit software. Could it be an incompatibility between the 710 OS and the Palm/Sony software for XP?

Thanks,
Tom

[MarkyAndy]

Yes there was a problem with that too. Just upgrade it and you'll be fine. Do you know where to take it to upgrade?