Can't load E260

OK…1st thing is my computer knowledge is as minimum as you can get. heres the story. My kid is trying to use his E260 again after it has been sitting for awhile. He got an Ipod and went swimming with it the other day. so its back to the old faithful Sansa. He has reset it to factory settings? but the computer does not recognise anything when he plugs it in. I believe the programs are gone from the computer. we had the computer servised a few months ago and was cleaned out, i think whatver was associated with his E260 is now gone. we cannot find the box the Sansa came in so if anyone can help …please do? Thanks in advance