Erasing Files I have a number of Olympus WS-100 recorders that are used to record coaching session. However, after about four or five uses of each one, the facilitators were saying the recorders read full when they tried to record, even though all the previous files had been downloaded and erased. We decided to format them after reading earlier posts and learned that pressing the stop button tells us how much time remains (4:25:27). But as I was downloading the files and checking the remaining time on the recorders, the remaining recording time did not return to 4:25:27. It appears the recorders are not recognizing the space free after the files were deleted. Is there a way to solve this problem without having to reformat them every time? Thank you for your help!!

Do you plug into your computer? If so, you can erase from there.
Does your recorder have a "format" setting? That will erase entire contents.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/files/oima_cckb/WS-100_WS-200S_Instructions_EN.pdf

The recorder should be formatted only by using the internal FORMAT function found in the recorder's Menu. Using a computer to format the recorder may corrupt or delete system files needed to run the recorder, so formatting via the computer is not recommended.
Individual files can be deleted from the recorder while it is connected to a computer without negative effects.

some of the dat files may have been deleted... try to retrieve those files. also formatting the recorder will clear the recorder of all files so you can start out new

I had the same problem. I downloaded the instruction pamphlet at http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/vtrek/download/manual/ws/man_ws100_ws200s.pdf and reformatted the recorder. It seems to work fine now.

Formatting the Recorder (FORMAT)
If you format the recorder, all function settings will return to their defaults.
All files stored in the recorder will be deleted.
If you have important files that you want to save, connect the recorder to a computer and
transfer those files from the recorder to the computer before formatting the device.
1 Press the MENU button.
2 Press the FF or REW button to choose “FORMAT”.
3 When the PLAY button is pressed, “nO” is displayed.
4 Press FF or REW to select “yES”, and press the
PLAY button.
After “ARE yOU SURE” is displayed, “nO” will be displayed.
5 Press FF or REW to select “yES”, and press the
PLAY button.
“DONE” displays when formatting ends.
s It may take up to several tens of seconds to finish the initialization. Do not remove the battery or detach
the battery compartment from the recorder during that time. Otherwise data may be damaged.
s Never format the recorder from a PC.
s When the recorder is formatted, all the stored data, including locked files, are erased.

if you were able to format the recorder thru the recorder.. it should be ready.. but if formatted through the computer, the files needed to operate the recorder are lost and you will need to send to repair to get the files put back on there

HI,

Please click on below link for user manual:

http://www.fixya.com/support/p144105-olympus_ws_100_handheld_digital_voice/manual-2304

you can not do this with the Olympus ws-100, you need a dictation machine that has the editing function which allows you to easily insert, overwrite, partially erase files and continue on the same file, most of the digital dictation units have NEW FILE BUTTON , you will stay recording on the same file till you press new.
Look at Olympus DS-2300. Olympus DS-33300 or ds-4000.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_support_product.asp?id=1321 Hi, you can download instructions here. Linda

I had the same problem; see earlier post about record times. The "format" solution worked for me.