ARCHOS 504 TURNED IT ON AND CAME UP WITH RECOVERY CODE 4 NEEDED, THE WHOLE ARCHOS IS LOCKED OUT AND THERE IS NOTHING ON THE HARD DRIVE WHEN LINKED UP TO MY PC.

This is a recovery mode, and this menu allows you to:

 

-Format your hard drive
-Restore your system

 

In case of repair disk is selected :

 

For the first step you have to go on our website, and download the latest firmware update for your product.

 

Plug your Archos 504/604 on the computer and copy the firmware previously downloaded at the root of your device.

 

Disconnect your device as usual, and select done on the screen.

You have to plug the dc adaptor to update successfully, press a button to reboot your device.here is the web address  http://www.archos.com/support/support_tech/updates.html?country=us&lang=en&#firm

You can´t swap the internal hard drive if your current firmware is superior to v1.4.0, because system locks it during bootloading (system reads hard drive ID).

• go to archos.com
• go to support and account near top of your screen and go to downloads
• the archos website should tell you what to do next

i need backup file Archos504

Send them back to Archos if they are still under warranty. If not, you're out of luck because they'll charge you about US$140 to repair the hard drive + postage.

Try to press and hold the reset button (a little 4mm diameter golden button behind the battery right on the microchip) and then turn it on again

I had the same problem and manage to solve it. You need to do the following

a. go to Archos website and download latest firmware and save on your pc
b. turn on 504 and select repair - unit not connected to pcm you will see a screen where you wil be prompted to press DONE (but DONT press it yet!!!!)
c. connect 504 to pc and wait until pc recognise it (it will recognize it this time)
d. copy firmware from pc and paste it to 504 root directory.
e. press done on 504. now when the device restarts you just select Repair and that should work. :)

Bless you guys...!

I thook the chance n press the reset button....Nuthing has been erased from my hard drive!!! :D :D :D

I had the same problem and manage to solve it. You need to do the following

a. go to Archos website and download latest firmware and save on your pc
b. turn on 504 and select repair - unit not connected to pc
c. connect 504 to pc and wait until pc recognise it
d. copy firmware from pc and past to 504 root directory.
e. press done on 504. that should work. I've spent the best part of 10 hours looking for a solution to the dreaded recovery code 4. The problem is a corrupt os. I hope you're as lucky as me.
I still have a problem with mine though...a screen that blink constantly.

open the battery pack, and push the hard drive back into it's slot.

it has prongs that attach, tat was always my problem.

sorry if it no help to some.

:)