Try this. I found it on another forum, and it was the only thing that worked for me. Note: Be Patient! The chkdsk function takes a LONG time to finish. I went away from the computer and did something else and came back. Thanks to neutron_bob on the sandisk forums for this:
The database fault you are encountering is a sign of a corrupted music file
causing the database refresh operation to halt.
No worries! You can manually enter MSC mode, run chkdsk, and even the
nuclear option, a device format, if you wish.
Let's start with the simplest. Start with the v2 family device off (Yes,
this will work for the Fuze or Clip too, one of the advantages of the new device
family). Slide the HOLD switch to the orange position on the e200v2, to the
right.
On your computer, press [Windows key] + E and open a Windows explorer window,
or use "My Computer".
Back to the v2: hold the center button down while connecting to the PC. In a
few seconds, voila! Your device will be visible as E: SANSA E200P.
Okay, I know the salty dogs out there are thinking, "Bob listed the wrong
button again!" but I'll let you in on a secret: the v1 is different,
and forcing MSC mode involves the
Now, why not try a simple fix of the music files in the hope of getting it
running.
Press the [Windows key] + R to get the Run box open. Enter
cmd and you'll get an MSDOS command line box. Enter
chkdsk E: /f where E: is the drive letter for the internal
memory E200P shows up with. The /f toggle tells the utility to fix the errors
found. Tell it to discard (don't save) the garbage found.
Turn the HOLD switch back, and disconnect. See if your Sansa boots and runs
normally.
What happened then? If the wee beastie is still being troublesome, let's go
to step two, but be forewarned, this method will erase all media from your
Sansa, and it will have to be reloaded. Plug in again in MSC mode as above.
In the Windows explorer box, right click on the Sansa, select Format, and DO
NOT use the Quick Format option. Select FAT32. This is the nuclear
option. Unplug, reset the HOLD switch, and you should have a "naked"
Sansa, ready to go.
Let's take advantage of a few things at this point. Go to Settings >
Info. If your trusty e200v2 has firmware earlier than 03.01.16, update to this latest version via the thread here.
If you have a Fuze or Clip, the firmware is available for each in their
respective forums. The v2's earliest firmware, version 03.01.11, had issues
with the database refresh hanging. Worse than that, it had no USB mode option
in the Settings menu.
Installing the firmware is as simple as unzipping the file, dragging the
e200pa.bin file into the root directory, and unplugging. The firmware will
install automatically.
As a footnote, the Sansa works best with the memory formatted with
32KB clusters for the file allocation table. After all is said
and done, there's an atomic method for this too. On the e200: Settings >
Format > Yes.
