You’re not doing the force-connect right.
The unit should be OFF. Slide the switch down to click into Hold position. There’s an orange dot under the switch. Then connect the USB to the computer, open Windows Explorer (Computer or My Computer), hold down the << button and connect the USB.
If that connects you could try reloading the firmware.Use the Manual method, don’t install the Updater.
http://forums.sandisk.com/t5/Fuze/Sansa-Fuze-Firmware-Update-01-02-31-amp-02-03-33/td-p/139175
Download the All Regions file for your version, unzip it, drag FuzeA.bin onto the driveletter for the Fuze and disconnect.
Or if you prefer, once you are connected to the computer you can right-click on the Fuze and Format it to FAT32 from the computer.
