Im really happy with the SansaClip+, but theres one thing that really pisses me off:
Some folder names are changed when shown on the devices display. There seems to be a hidden name for some folders in the system, because when I change a folders name, or create a new one and change its name from “new folder” to “folder XY” the clip still displays it as “new folder”.
The folders are even displayed with there correct names, when I look at the device per Windows explorer, but on the clip display its still the same.
I really dont get it…and sandisk support just doesnt answer.
Example
Folder in Windows: “1998 - Album Title”
Folder on Clip display: “00000059_1998 - Album Title”
Folder in Windows: “New Folder” >changed to “KYUSS”
Folder on Display: “New Folder”
Hope anyone can help. I think this crys for a firmware update…
It looks like your Clip+ is in MTP, or “Media Transfer Protocol” mode. For some reason, which I’m sure someone else here more knowledgeable can expound on, in this mode, characters are added to folder names.
You can switch your Clip+ to MSC, or “Mass Storage Class,” mode, under “Settings” => “System Settings” => “USB Mode” => “MSC.” After which, when you connect your Clip+ to your computer, it and your microSD card will both appear as normal flash drives, each with their own letter.
Ah, yes, changing the device into MTP mode was one of my first ideas. I just didnt do it, because I think this is just avoidance and not a solution.
BUT, I think I will do it that way. Ill tell you if it worked as soon as I had the time to reorganize the clip!
What exactly is the difference between the two modes, except the way it is displayed in windows??? And why arent MTP and MSC folders usable/visible in both modes?
(excuse possible grammar mistakes, Im not a native english speaker ;)
Message Edited by Magic_Peat on 07-08-2010 10:06 AM
Message Edited by Magic_Peat on 07-08-2010 10:07 AM
What exactly is the difference between the two modes, except the way it is displayed in windows??? And why arent MTP and MSC folders usable/visible in both modes?
Message Edited by Magic_Peat on 07-08-2010 10:07 AM
Only SanDisk knows…other players that offer both modes don’t behave the same way.
In MTP mode, the extra characters added to the filenames are used in the parsing process of the database refresh. This speeds up the refresh time, as the Sansa has its own “notes” on the files.
If you are using MTP mode, you’ll note the difference in refresh time can be surprising. The downside, I’ve seen, is that the logic behind which files get the wee addended character string is elusive. When first browsing the device memory from the PC, I thought that perhaps my coffee was a little too strong!
MTP mode is a necessity for secure media (DRM). In this mode, the Sansa is seen as a media device rather than just a flash drive; the assumption is that a media manager application or client is controlling the read / write from the PC, which will ignore the added data on display.
Though you can control the transfers yourself via Windows Explorer, for example, those added characters can make for a real adventure at times. As MTP is a virtual “layer” on top of MSC, these occasional complexities can make one go “crosseyed” figuring out that “missing” occasional file.
The tradeoff in using MTP is that the database refresh only occurs when files are actually transferred in the last communication session, so you can plug / unplug and go right back to listening after a recharge, opposed to MSC, where one must wait for the refresh. MSC is nice if you are managing transfers via cut / paste or drag / drop (depending upon your preference when Mouseketeering those files about). (Who remembers the days if pip or removing the rubber bands from a card stack or TTY roll?)
This doesn’t solve the problem when using the external uSD card though. I’ve find the solution for this problem.
We want to use MTP mode because this is the only mode that allows drag and drop to the external uSD card in the Sansa. In MSP mode the Sansa appears as mapped drive in Windows explorer, but the external uSD card does not show up.
I found the problem by looking at the folders that it had corrupted the folder name for. I noticed that it only seemed to be th elonger ones. After a few experiments I have found that the maximum folder name length is 28 characters. If it is any longer than this then the Sansa will prefix the name with an 8 digit hexadecimal string followed by a hyphen followed by the next few characters of the folder name.
The problem only happens when dragging folders onto the external uSD card, not for the internal FLASH of the Sansa.
I tried renaming the folders to shorter names on the Sansa drive in-situ (via Windows Explorer) but that didn’t work.
First you must delete all the folders that this has happened to on the Sansa. Next rename these folders on your Windows PC so they have a maximum of 28 characters. I chopped off the end and placed a ‘-’ at the end to indicate they had been shortened.
For example, a folder called “Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy” was renamed to “Jesus & Mary Chain - Psycho-”
Next drag these shorter folders over to the “external uSD card” folder of the Sansa. Note that the “corruption” of the folder names doesn’t occur when the folders are dragged over, but when the Sansa does the “Refreshing your media” process when you disconnect it. Luckily the filenames within folders are not affected.
That should solve your problem!
I don’t know if this is a bug in the Sansa, or a consequence of MTP mode. I suspect the former since dragging to the internal memory works fine, and the corruption only occurs AFTER the dragging operation.
On my computer, with Windows 7, setting to MSC indeed fixes the issue, and the microSD card indeed shows up as a separate drive. And I believe it should on Windows Vista and XP as well (although you seem to be having a different experience).
Thae card shows up as a separate drive for me both on this 64-bit Windows 7 system, and my old 32-bit XP system.
The tradeoff in using MTP is that the database refresh only occurs when files are actually transferred in the last communication session, so you can plug / unplug and go right back to listening after a recharge, opposed to MSC, where one must wait for the refresh.
I haven’t found this to be true. I find that there is no “Media Refresh” under MSC if I don’t change anything while the Clip+ is connected to the computer.
I also find that Media Refresh is at least as fast under MSC as it was under MTP. MSC does demand 90 MB free, though.
There’s another advantage to MSC: since the computer sees it as just flash memory, you can edit mp3 tags on the Clip+. Under MTP, you have to edit them on the computer and then re-copy them to the Clip+.
Hello, I have just received a clip+ from my gandchildren and I don’t understand much of what you smart people are talking about. I just listen to audiobooks but when I transfer them from audio overdrive I creat a folder name such as the series title then make sub folders for each book in the series so I can read them in order. However the folder names dont show up as I have labeled them on the clip or even when I go back to the computer, they are changed back to new folder or some number. I don’t understand how to switch things around without loosing my books, which I borrowed from a friend in Florida and don’t have ready access to. Is there someone who can help an old lady please?
The name problem is just for the books on the little card they gave me that fits in the side. I read what someone said earlier and all the file names are less than 28 characters long.
