Connect the Clip to a Windows PC in MSC mode: manually force the mode by starting with the Clip OFF. Slide the power switch down to the HOLD / LOCK position (orange showing).
Hold the center button depressed while plugging in to the PC, until it displays “connected” on the display.
Now let’s remove the “applasauce” from the device.
Open a Windows Explorer window via My Computer or press [Windows Key] + E. Do you see the Clip listed under “devices with removable storage”? Make note of the drive letter assigned to the Clip.
Now, open a command window by going to Run > enter cmd and enter, or the shortcut [Windows Key] + R.
Let’s assume that the clip is mounted as device E:
From the command prompt in the box, type chkdsk e: /f where “e” is the drive letter you found assigned, and /f is a “toggle”, telling chkdsk to "fix the errors found. When chkdsk asks you if you would like to save the garbage found as files, tell it no.
Now, a wee bit of surgery. Close the MSDOS window for now (yes, fellow propellerheads, you can do the following in old school DOS if you so desire. Please apply an appropriate anti-rust agent like Liquid Wrench as needed.) Well, for everyone else, do not apply lubricants or anti-corrosives to your Clip.
Format the device by right clicking on the Clip in the Explorer window and select Format. DO NOT use “quick format”. If your device is larger than 2GB we’ll need FAT32.
Yes, formatting erases all data from the Clip, so you’ll need to reload afterwards.
Right click on the device and select Eject.
Unplug, and see if it starts up normally once again! Slide the power switch back up.
If not, you can connect again in MSC mode, and reinstall the firmware as described in the firmware thread.
Bob :smileyvery-happy: