# Rebuilding the original root directory

**URL:** <https://forums.sandisk.com/t/rebuilding-the-original-root-directory/28416>\
**Category:** All other MP3 players\
**Created:** [April 25, 2017, 6:22am UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/rebuilding-the-original-root-directory/28416 "2017-04-25T06:22:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**Author:** ![tapeworm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@tapeworm](https://forums.sandisk.com/u/tapeworm)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2017, 2:12pm UTC](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/rebuilding-the-original-root-directory/28416/2 "2017-04-25T14:12:50Z")

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The system files are indeed “hidden” so they cannot be accidentally deleted or erased. A factory reset would not help as that only resets your personal settings. If you can connect the palyer to your computer, you can manually re-install the [firmware](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/sansa-clip-zip-firmware-01-01-21/28430) or format the player. In either case, any necessary files will be re-created upon re-startup.

But before doing either of these procedures, try resetting the player&nbsp;(if you haven’t already) by holding the power button for at least 20 secs. If that doesn’t work, try a bit longer; there have been some stubborn cases where it took over a minute of holding the power button before it reset.

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_[View the full topic](https://forums.sandisk.com/t/rebuilding-the-original-root-directory/28416)._