20 Most Recent Rio Carbon MP3 Player - Page 6 Questions & Answers

When Microsoft initiated the DRM system, any Rio Carbon that was hooked into Windows Media Player had the previously working files invalidated. Happened to me as well. The player lasted me three years, and that is about as long as any Mp3 player is going to last we are finding out b/c of all the software snafus.

Unfortunately, that is a hardware issue and Rio is now out of the Mp3 player business. Sorry.

Try this: disconnect the player from the computer, turn it off, hold in the volume + button, and reconnect the player to the computer while holding the volume + button in. Keep holding the volume + button for an additional 5-50 seconds. Windows should eventually go into recovery mode and revive the player- it will pop up a window that says Found New Hardware Wizard.

You would literally have to break it open with a screwdriver or wedge, smashing/damaging other components in the process (trust me, I did it).

I killed my Rio by transferring files on low batt. Once it dies, it cannot be recovered - trust me, I tried every method possible. I even physically took it apart. Once these ones die, there is no coming back - Rio no longer makes.supports mp3 players.

This is a hardware issue - there is no repair svc for this one. sorry.

Perform a firmware upgrade as instructed on the rio website - it will wipe everything clean. Make sure the player is fully charged or this upgrade will kill the player.

With this player, you MUST use the native Rio music transfer software - still available on rio's website. No other transfer method works.

I presume that your computer does not pick it up at all.

Try taking out the hard drive carefully and putting it in a usb card reader. Then if it picks up, format it, put it back in your carbon. Your pc should then pick it up and then reformat it (may be needed) and reload the firmware (from: http://www.rioaudio.com/support/rio/product.asp?prodID=215)

If it doesn't pick up then your hard drive will be bust :(

for less than a 10er you can buy a 1GB CF card and replace it with that (see my post: http://www.fixya.com/support/r590688-replace_broken_hard_drive_in_rio_carbon)

Hope this sheds a bit of light on your problem

Mowcius

You probably need the firmware 3.04 (directors cut)

There are many people who have had audio book problems but this firmware seems to sort them.

Sorry but I can't find a link for the firmware 3.04

I found one yesterday! but today I can't find one!

I'll post if I find a working link

Mowcius

I removed the back of my Rio Carbon, removed the microdrive and inserted the CF card, formatted and added the firmware. It's that easy! The hardest part is removing the back of your Carbon

Mowcius

Wrong section for post

There is a reset button accessible by a paper clip through a small hole on the top of the player. This will reset your player (this is an extremely useful button!). You will not lose any data/tracks but you will have to reset the time/date when you turn your player back on.

On a windows computer go into my computer and explore your rio carbon folder. In there there should be at least 2 folders - Music and recordings. go into the music folder and all of your files should be there. Delete them all and start putting files on again.

If there are no files showing in the Music folder then go back to my computer and right click on your player and click on format. Accept all of the default values and click format. You will then need to download the firmware for your Rio. This can be downloaded from:
http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/support/rio/product.asp?prodID=234

Once you have downloaded it and your player has finished formatting then load the update by clicking on it and follow the instructions to install it. Once this is done then your player will be completely wiped and you can the start putting music back on it.

Hope this helps,

Mowcius

If RMM does not want to work with your computer then transfer files using explorer...

Go into start,
Then My Computer,
Your Rio carbon should show up as a removable device, double click on it,
Then you should have 2 or more folders: Music and recordings,
double click on music and all of your music will be in there,
you can then just copy and paste music into that folder and it will play it on your Rio if it is the right format (Mp3, Wma etc)

With regards to your volume control:

If you pry a small screwdriver round the side you will see 2 clips inside attached onto a black bit (the hard drive holder) there are also 2 smaller ones near the top and 2 at the bottom but you will only have to unclip a few before the back comes off. To unclip them simply put your screwdriver below and lever off your rio and they should pop up... I have taken the back off many times and fixed my volume control and hard drive... Fixing the volume control is quite easy. Once you take the back off you will be able to see where it locates on, then you can just stick it back on with a bit of super glue etc.

Hope this helps

Mowcius

it's a CompactFlash card... just use a CF card adapter

Mine seems to be doing that a lot recently. I found that just holding the power button for a few seconds makes it go away, however i don't know any long term solutions; i presume it needs upgrading lol?

You may have broken the hard drive,

Try replacing it with a CF card,

Everybody says that this does not work but it definitely does!

My Rio got dropped and I completely buggered the hard drive so after reading many forums saying that it didn't work I read one that said that someone had told them that sandisk ultra II ones worked (very vague!)

Because I had nothing to lose I went out and bought a 1GB sandisk Ultra II CF card. I then took apart my rio and replaced the hard drive with the CF card. Still not thinking it was going to work I plugged it into my computer and installed the latest firmware (from the rio website) and then HEY PRESTO!!!!!! it works.

I have yet to try an 8GB ultra II card but when I do i will keep you posted.

If you don't believe me then I don't blame you but If you send me a request then I can send you pictures and more details...

Rio will live on

Hope this helps

Mowcius

You will have broken the hard drive,

Try replacing it with a CF card,

Everybody says that this does not work but it definitely does!

My Rio got dropped and I completely buggered the hard drive so after reading many forums saying that it didn't work I read one that said that someone had told them that sandisk ultra II ones worked (very vague!)

Because I had nothing to lose I went out and bought a 1GB sandisk Ultra II CF card. I then took apart my rio and replaced the hard drive with the CF card. Still not thinking it was going to work I plugged it into my computer and installed the latest firmware (from the rio website) and then HEY PRESTO!!!!!! it works.

I have yet to try an 8GB ultra II card but when I do i will keep you posted.

If you don't believe me then I don't blame you but If you send me a request then I can send you pictures and more details...

Rio will live on

Hope this helps

Mowcius

You will have broken the hard drive,

Try replacing it with a CF card,

Everybody says that this does not work but it definitely does!

My Rio got dropped and I completely buggered the hard drive so after reading many forums saying that it didn't work I read one that said that someone had told them that sandisk ultra II ones worked (very vague!)

Because I had nothing to lose I went out and bought a 1GB sandisk Ultra II CF card. I then took apart my rio and replaced the hard drive with the CF card. Still not thinking it was going to work I plugged it into my computer and installed the latest firmware (from the rio website) and then HEY PRESTO!!!!!! it works.

I have yet to try an 8GB ultra II card but when I do i will keep you posted.

If you don't believe me then I don't blame you but If you send me a request then I can send you pictures and more details...

Rio will live on

Hope this helps

Mowcius

You will have broken your hard drive...

Try replacing it with a CF card...

Everybody says that this does not work but it definitely does!

My Rio got dropped and I completely buggered the hard drive so after reading many forums saying that it didn't work I read one that said that someone had told them that sandisk ultra II ones worked (very vague!)

Because I had nothing to lose I went out and bought a 1GB sandisk Ultra II CF card. I then took apart my rio and replaced the hard drive with the CF card. Still not thinking it was going to work I plugged it into my computer and installed the latest firmware (from the rio website) and then HEY PRESTO!!!!!! it works.

I have yet to try an 8GB ultra II card but when I do i will keep you posted.

If you don't believe me then I don't blame you but If you send me a request then I can send you pictures and more details...

Rio will live on

Hope this helps

Mowcius