My Sansa e260 mp3 player froze after my computer crashed. I had to force it to restart by locking the hold button, holding the REC button and plugging the cable in. Now it says _ “Welcome to Recovery Mode. USB cable connected. Enter USB 2.0 MSD mode.” _ I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. I tried using the v1 Firmware updater but it says none is available. HELP! Is my unit no longer operable? i can’t force it into MSC mode (it’s in MTP mode) because I can’t get past the “Welcome to Recovery Mode. USB cable connected. Enter USB 2.0 MSD mode.”
You might still be able to fix your Sansa by doing a Force format. While on recovery mode, connect the Sansa to your PC and it should be recognized as 16mb format drive. Simply create a new folder inside that drive and rename it to “sansa.fmt”. Disconnect the sansa and it should do a force format.
Thank you, it worked!
Yes, a forced format is initiated by creating a folder in the 16MB FORMAT (partition) that is visible via Windows Explorer (My Computer), with the e200 connected in Recovery Mode. Rename this New Folder sansa.fmt and leave the folder in the open partition.
When you disconnect, the Sansa will format itself automatically. The folder you created is simply a triggering command for the Sansa. It will remove the folder after formatting.
Remember! Never attempt to format the Sansa using Windows’ Format command while in Recovery Mode!!
Bob :smileyvery-happy:
i did the recovery, and it forced a format. when i unplugged after, the blue wheel was lit but nothing was on the screen. then nothing…nothing…nothing. i could force the player to turn off by holding down the power for 15 sec, and turned it back on and nothing again. no screen, only blue wheel lit. any ideas??
Formatting it always works,it really does. 
@dcartie wrote:
i did the recovery, and it forced a format. when i unplugged after, the blue wheel was lit but nothing was on the screen. then nothing…nothing…nothing. i could force the player to turn off by holding down the power for 15 sec, and turned it back on and nothing again. no screen, only blue wheel lit. any ideas??
How did you perform the format? If you formatted the 16MB partition while in Recovery Mode, you’re pretty much hosed.
If the reserved partition is formatted using Windows, you can only recover using a much more intricate procedure.
e200tool is the software needed, as well as a linux platform to run the program. Though it sounds scary, WIndows machines have one ace in the hole: you can boot the computer using a linux live CD , and you are temporarily transported into the world of linux for the repair.
Here is a cool tutorial on just how it’s done:recovering a bricked sansa.
Good luck! With a little patience and a decent cup of coffee, you’ll be up and running again.
Bob :smileyvery-happy:
