Frequently Asked Questions

Creative ZEN Vision W

previous page next page

Frequently Asked Questions

This section covers questions you might have while using your player. For further assistance, you may wish to consult our self-help tool "Knowledge Base". Go to www.creative.com, select your region and then select Support.

For the latest firmware updates to improve the player's functionality, go to www.creative.com, select your region and then select Support Downloads.

What are the minimum system requirements for setting up the player's software?

  • Microsoft® Windows XP Professional x64 Edition or Windows XP (Service Pack 1 or higher)
  • Intel® Pentium® III 1 GHz, or AMD Duron™ 1 GHz or better processor
  • CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive with digital audio extraction support
  • USB 1.1 (USB 2.0 port recommended for faster transfers)
  • 256 MB RAM
  • 170 MB free hard disk space (more for audio content storage)
  • Internet connection for Internet content downloading and CDDB2™ support (charges incurred are the responsibility of the user)
    • Notes
    • The software applications on the Installation and Applications CD may have higher requirements for basic functionality. Refer to each application's documentation for details.

    Can I transfer Digital Rights Management (DRM) protected WMA files to my player?

    Yes. To transfer DRM-protected WMA files to your player, you can use Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer, Creative Media Explorer, or Windows Media Player 10.

    I cannot play DRM-protected WMA files on my player. What do I do?

    The files may have become corrupt during transfer or the DRM license may have expired.

    If the DRM license is still valid, try transferring the files again, and make sure you do so with Creative Media Explorer, Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer, or WMP 10 (and above).

    Can I use Windows Media Player to transfer videos?

    Yes. Make sure that you have converted your videos to a format recognized by your player before you transfer them. You can use Creative Video Converter to convert your videos. For more information, refer to the application's online Help. For more information about Windows Media Player, see Using Windows Media Player 10.

    Can I use the player for portable data storage?

    Yes, you can. For more information, see Managing Data Files.

    I have to recharge the player's battery quite often. Is there anything I can do to make it last longer?

    Generally, any operation requiring your player to access the hard disk consumes battery power. However, some operations require more battery power:

    • a long display duration setting. A shorter display duration setting conserves battery power.
  • a high contrast setting. Position the player so that you can read the display without using a high contrast setting.
  • fast forwarding or rewinding.
  • turning the player on and off too many times.
  • prolonged use at high volumes.
  • enabling equalizer settings.

    • My player's volume is very soft. What can I do?

    If you have enabled the Restrict Volume setting, make sure that the maximum playback volume that you have selected for your player is not too low. For more information, see Enabling volume restriction.

    How do I reset my player?

    If your player stops responding, you can remove the battery, insert the battery again, and then turn on your player. For more inormation, see Removing and Inserting the Battery.

    My player is performing erratically. What can I do?

    Your player may occasionally operate at less than optimal performance for a number of reasons, for example, if your player's Music Library is rebuilt frequently when no changes are made to it.

    Selecting Clean Up in your player's Recovery Mode menu cleans, rebuilds and reorganizes your player's hard disk drive and restores it to optimal efficiency. Save a copy of your player's content before cleaning up the hard disk drive.

    To clean up your player's hard disk drive

    1. Turn off your player.
  • Remove the battery. For more information on removing the battery, see Removing and Inserting the Battery.
  • Slide the Power switch towards the Power icon and hold it there while you reinsert the battery.
  • The Recovery Mode screen appears when your player turns on. Four menu items are available in the Recovery Mode screen: Clean Up, Format All, Reload Firmware and Reboot. To clean up your player's hard disk drive, select Clean Up.
  • When the clean up is complete, select Reboot. Your player restarts and starts rebuilding its Music Library.
    • Caution!
    • Selecting Reload Firmware erases your player's firmware. DO NOT select Reload Firmware unless you have downloaded a newer firmware version for your player, or have been advised to do so by the Creative Customer Services center.
    Notes
    • Your player's firmware is reset to default settings after your player's hard disk is cleaned up.

    To format your player's hard disk in Recovery Mode

    If your player is still performing erratically after you have cleaned up your player's hard disk, format your player.

    1. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 of To clean up your player's hard disk drive.
  • The Recovery Mode screen appears when your player turns on. To format your player, select Format All.
  • When formatting is complete, select Reboot. Your player restarts and starts rebuilding its Music Library
    • Warning!
    • Formatting your player erases all content on your player's hard disk and resets your player's firmware to default settings. If possible, back all data on your player before proceeding.

    To format your player using Creative Media Explorer

    1. Connect your player to your computer's USB port using the supplied USB cable.
  • Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop.
  • Click the ZEN Vision W Media Explorer icon.
  • Click the Settings and Information button and click the Tools tab.
  • Click the Format button.
    • Notes
    • If you are prompted to choose the file system for formatting, select only FAT32.

    One of the following diagrams appears on the display. What does it mean?
    Your computer is actively managing your player. Warning: DO NOT disconnect your player when you see this screen.

    You can safely disconnect your player from your computer when you see this screen.

    Your player's firmware is being upgraded.

    Your player is resetting after a firmware upgrade.

    Your player is updating its files. This occurs after you transfer files to your player and then unplug your player from your computer.

    The firmware is corrupted. Reload the firmware, download a newer firmware version or contact Customer Support Services.

    My player does not turn on or stops responding. What do I do?

    • Make sure the Power switch is not in the Lock position.
  • If you are using the wired remote control (sold separately), make sure the wired remote control's Lock switch is not is the Lock position.
  • Your battery may need to be recharged. Charge your player's battery with the power adapter or connect your player to your computer's USB port with the supplied USB cable.

    • My player's wired remote control (sold separately) is not working. What do I do?

    • Make sure the wired remote control Lock switch is not in the Lock position.
  • Make sure the wired remote control is properly connected to your player, and the earphones are properly connected to the wired remote control.

    • What is PC Music Library?

    PC Music Library is your collection of digital audio tracks in Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer. In Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer, you can have more than one PC Music Library. When sharing the same computer, multiple users can each have their own music library, each with its own settings. However, only one music library can be active at one time.

    Can PC Music Library be automatically updated?

    Yes. You can use the Media Sniffer tool in Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer to monitor or 'watch' folders in your computer. With Media Sniffer enabled, PC Music Library is updated when tracks in monitored folders are added, deleted or moved. This helps to prevent broken links in PC Music Library. For more information about using Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer, refer to its online help.

    Where can I get more information on Creative products?

    See www.creative.com and select your region or country for updates and downloads relating to all Creative products.

    previous page start next page