I purchased a SanDisk 8GB MicroSDHC to try out in my Express, since many people have reported using SDHC with success. However, after several hours of testing, I still have not been able to get the card to work 100%. Hopefully others who have successfully used 8GB cards can chime in about their experiences so that this post may be helpful to those who are having problems or considering getting MicroSDHC cards for their Express.
The card shows up fine in the Express (~7700MB), and also on the computer (~7.6GB). I can also transfer files onto the card using the Sync function of Windows Media Player 11 without much problem. However, when using WMP11 to transfer files to the card with the card plugged into the Express, an error occurs once 4GB of files have been transferred. Even though the card shows up as having a capacity of 7.6GB, once it fills up to 4GB, it will not let me transfer any more files. This occurs whether I try to transfer everything at once, or if I transfer in smaller chunks (~1GB at a time). Either way, once it hits 4GB, I can’t add anymore files (even though it still shows 3.6GB of free space).
I also tried using a USB MicroSD reader to transfer, instead of using the Express. This allows me to add more than 4GB of music to the SDHC card easily. However, when using this method, the Express often won’t recognize the card when its plugged in. It seems to work fine when I put a smaller amount of files on the card (~3-4GB), but if I try putting close to 7GB on the card, the Express doesn’t seem to recognize the card at all (it doesn’t show up in the System Info menu).
So here is a summary of my experience:
First method:
MicroSDHC used : SanDisk 8GB
Express firmware version : 01.01.05A
Program used to transfer : Windows Media Player 11
Card formatted with : Express
Files transferred through : Express MicroSD slot
Does the Express see 8GB? Yes
Does the computer see 8GB? Yes
Files successfully transferred to MicroSDHC : 4GB
Files that the Express recognizes and plays : 4GB
Problems : Cannot get more than 4GB to transfer through the Express using Windows Media Player 11. Also, transfer speed through Express is slow (took about 40 minutes to transfer 4GB).
Second method:
MicroSDHC used : SanDisk 8GB
Express firmware version : 01.01.05A
Program used to transfer : Windows Media Player 11
Card formatted with : Express
Files transferred through : USB MicroSD reader
Does the Express see 8GB? Yes
Does the computer see 8GB? Yes
Files successfully transferred to MicroSDHC : 3-4GB
Files that the Express recognizes and plays : 3-4GB
Problems : The Express doesn’t recognize the card if there is close to 7GB of files on it.
I have also had other small problems such as the Express freezing and shutting off when building database with the card in it, and sometimes the card shows up as unformatted after transferring files. But these problems usually go away after reformatting.
So for those who have successfully got a 8GB card to work in the Express, please share your experience. How many GB of music have you been able to get the Express to recognized and play successfully? And how did you get it to work? Please include information such as what brand SDHC card you used, what firmware version, what hardward and software you used to transfer music, and any keys/tips to get things working, etc. Thanks.
I’ve already tested the card by copying 7.5GB of files onto it (using a USB MicroSD reader), and I was able to access all the files on another computer. So I don’t think it is a fake card limited to 4GB. It’s only when using the card in the Express that results in the 4GB limit. So I don’t know if its something wrong with my process, or if the Express just doesn’t want to see beyond 4GB.
I haven’t seen anyone actually confirm that they were able to put more than 4GB of music on a MicroSDHC. So if anyone out there reading this has done it, please chime in. I know there are people who posted they were able to “see” 8GB, but that’s not the problem. I can see 8GB too, I just can’t get the Express to access more than 4GB of files.
@drlucky wrote:
the express does not support 8GB micro sd cards. additionally there is a 1000 song limit.
8GB microsdhc works fine in my express with the latest firmware. I have 6GB of songs on it. I just had to format mine a few times (internally, via the Express’ menu) before it worked. It’s finicky. I never had a 4GB limit on it when it didn’t work - the songs on the card just wouldn’t be recognized by the player.
@drlucky wrote:
the express does not support 8GB micro sd cards. additionally there is a 1000 song limit.
8GB microsdhc works fine in my express with the latest firmware. I have 6GB of songs on it. I just had to format mine a few times (internally, via the Express’ menu) before it worked. It’s finicky. I never had a 4GB limit on it when it didn’t work - the songs on the card just wouldn’t be recognized by the player.
What about the 1000 songs limit? Is this true? I’d buy this player only if it supports 8GB SD cards and has no limitation on the number of files/songs.
Message Edited by ac on 03-30-2008 01:50 PM
My understanding is that it actually applies to the number of songs that you can play at once; I don’t have a card that can store that many songs, but it makes sense to me. I could be wrong.
8GB microsdhc works fine in my express with the latest firmware. I have 6GB of songs on it. I just had to format mine a few times (internally, via the Express’ menu) before it worked. It’s finicky. I never had a 4GB limit on it when it didn’t work - the songs on the card just wouldn’t be recognized by the player.
What about the 1000 songs limit? Is this true? I’d buy this player only if it supports 8GB SD cards and has no limitation on the number of files/songs.
Unfortunately I cannot verify this either way as I only have 400 or so mp3s currently on my Express (everything is long DJ mixes or single-file webcasts that I split into 10-minute mp3s for my gym trips). I did know of the limitation prior to purchasing my Express from reading this thread:
Perhaps you might consider bumping that thread. One of the last posts in that thread is from a user who says he was able to load 1200 songs into the Express and view all of them; he hypothesized that it is only an issue when trying to use “play all” mode with all 1200 songs at once. Again, I cannot verify this one way or the other.
@drlucky wrote:
the express does not support 8GB micro sd cards. additionally there is a 1000 song limit.
8GB microsdhc works fine in my express with the latest firmware. I have 6GB of songs on it. I just had to format mine a few times (internally, via the Express’ menu) before it worked. It’s finicky. I never had a 4GB limit on it when it didn’t work - the songs on the card just wouldn’t be recognized by the player.
Message Edited by gengar on 03-29-2008 09:01 PM
How did you load the songs onto the MicroSDHC card? i.e. did you sync using WMP? drag and drop onto the card using the Express in MSC mode? copy files using a MicroSD reader? or something else?
And are all the songs in one folder? or are they in separate folders for each artist and album?
I gave this a try and I also could not get past the 4gB Iron Curtain.
My 1gB Express has the latest (& last firmware?) 01.01.05A2. I have tried various methods to place over 4gB of music onto a 8gB Sandisk card and cannot get it to work.
Trying to sync through WMP crashes the Express. Afterwards, I needed to format the card to be able to use it again. Dragging over 4gB of music is successful on the computer, but after disconnecting from the computer the refresh database hangs up.
I can use a card reader to place over 4gB of music onto the card. But when the card is inserted into the player, again the refresh database will not complete.
The player will read the full 8gB capacity of the card. I can place 4 gB of music and use the rest of the space for data storage. So technically the Express is compatible with an 8 gB card. But on my player, 4 gB of music appears to be the limit.
How did you load the songs onto the MicroSDHC card? i.e. did you sync using WMP? drag and drop onto the card using the Express in MSC mode? copy files using a MicroSD reader? or something else?
And are all the songs in one folder? or are they in separate folders for each artist and album?
Thanks.
I used MSC mode for all my loose files and then switched to MTP mode to do playlists for some of the others.
I must say it is very annoying to be unable to do playlists in MSC mode. This must be fixed at some point.
Firmware version 1.01.15 should not display any issues with 2GB microSD cards. However, firmware version 1.01.01 displays issues with Kingston and PNY 2GB microSD cards. Right now, we have a firmware fix for Kingston & PNT 2GB microSD with the boot up problem. But the current firmware is not compatible with 6GB and 8GB. That is what is being looked into currently. Please check back periodically for updates.
Best Regards,
Sansa Mod. Team
This comes directs from the support team of Sansa… I also wanted to buy one of the sansa express to expand it up to 10GB (2 GB of Flash + 8 GB with the microSD)…But the product doesn’t seem to be ready to support that amount of information, maybe with a new firmware it will be able to do that… same thing happend with some celular phones (like mine) it doesn’t support a microSD grater than 4GB.
Another coment, someone knows the maximun operating temperature and the maximun storage temperature for the sansa express??? I didn’t find it in the user guide, (I had a bad experience with my ipod, I forgot it in my car and I didn’t resist the temperature, it was dead, )…
Leaving any MP3 player in a hot car is a bad idea. I’ve known a few people who even had their MP3 players’ screens rupture after being exposed to the sun for long enough! A car’s interior can go upwards of 150 degrees (where food/drink are considered hot, and uncomfortable to hold) and the dashboard can hit 180 degrees (water at that temperature will scald.)
So, not only does leaving an MP3 player in a car risk screen damage, but it can also break down or wear out other components much faster. For example, all batteries deteriorate over time, but temperature has a lot to do with how quickly this happens. When you’re dealing with a non-replacable battery, this is a significant concern. It only gets worse when you consider that the battery is lithium based (lithium battery technology, while refined and generally very safe, is unstable by nature. Do not provoke Happy Fun Battery.)
This might help give you an idea of how heat can affect a battery’s life:
What about the 1000 songs limit? Is this true? I’d buy this player only if it supports 8GB SD cards and has no limitation on the number of files/songs.
…I tried out the 1000 song limit today, and the Express does not seem to be able to play more than 1000 songs… See my post in the other thread for the details: …
In your other post you wrote that you used a 6gB card to do your testing. Were you able to use the full capacity of the 6gB card?
It looks like you have spent quite a bit of time doing this. Thanks for sharing the results of your efforts.
