Looked around this forum for awhile but still can’t figure out what model I have OR WEATHER I CAN UPDATE FIRMWARE TO GET FOLDER VIEW.
Sansa is a couple years old. No markings on the device as to model number. No model appears when powered on. Info screen shows Firmware 01.02.18a. Memory about 4GB internal. Has MicroSD slot, no card installed. Marked on back cover says REFURB.
So…what have I got? Seems to be a lot of variables in the early Sansa’s. Works fine, but reason I’m here is to find out if I can update the firmware to allow viewing (searching) by folder and/or filename rather than the MP3 ID3 tags. Also wondering if it will play FLAC files.
Thanks
You have an e200v1. If you install rockbox will be able to play flac files and browse by folder, but I don’t believe this was ever added to the sandisk firmware.
@saratoga wrote:
You have an e200v1. If you install rockbox will be able to play flac files and browse by folder, but I don’t believe this was ever added to the sandisk firmware.
As well as use larger than 2GB MicroSD cards. A big plus and one of the main reasons people with these sturdy little players go with Rockbox firmware in the 1st place.
Yup…that’s it. I looked at Rockbox. While I like being able to exceed the 2GB card, playing FLAC and using Folders to search on, I have no real use for any of the other features. I never use the sansa for anything but music (occasionally FM). I spent some time in the FUSE forum and saw there was a firmware update for those devices. It included being able to search on Folders and also included >2GB as I recall. Is there no such firmware update for the E260? I could go Rockbox, but would hate to chance turning my E260 into a vegetable with non-OEM firmware with possibly no way to reinstall the ‘official’ fw.
The Fuze was the model immediately following the e200 series; in fact the v2 version is almost identical inside to the Fuze. The e200v2 did in fact read SDHC (> 2GB) format memory cards, but FLAC support was not even native to the Fuze. It was added later in a firmware update.
Unfortunately, the e200 series was dropped a couple years ago, so there will be no further updates for this model. You don’t have to use all that Rockbox has to offer, but if you want to use larger than 2GB cards and play FLAC files with your e260v1, it’s the only way to do it.
Remember also, that there are many ‘themes’ available for this player with Rockbox, so you can change how it looks. Heck, you can even create/write your own theme. I did. And I wouldn’t wory about ‘bricking’ your player. Rockbox was developed for this player years ago and is very stable. Even if something out of the ordinary happened, you can always delete Rockbox and go back to the OF (Original Firmware). 
OK, you guys convinced me. I’m going to Rockbox it.
Now 2 more questions:
- I know I can download v 01.02.24 (current). Is there an archive for my installed v01.02.18?
2. I like my wife’s E260 so well I’m thinking of buying a Sansa for myself. Again, primarily for music. Can I opt for ANY of the newer MP3 players from Sansa and expect equal or better sound and build quality to what I now have? Any to stay away from? (ok, so it was 3)
1.) No need to update. The .18 firmware is very stable and not that much is gained by updating. I still use the .18 firmware on my v1 players (3 of them, if memory serves).
2.)The e200 series was built like the proverbial Sherman tank. It’s hard to compare any of the newer models to it, but if music (and not videos) is all you want, another player I have and like is the Clip+. Much smaller & compact with a clip to attach to your clothes. The only detriment to this model is its inability to display album art. If this is important to you, get the newer Clip Zip instead. Same size but with a slightly larger full color screen. And you can get them in 8GB internal memory and the card slot will read up to 32GB cards.
2a.) Maybe the Fuze+.
Thanks Tapeworm and Saratoga. I installed Rockbox and now can search as desired on folders/filenames. The user interface is a little overwhelming with each menu having a dozen or so options and often require going several submenus deep to accomplish a task or setting. I was not aware of the dual boot for Sansa/Rockbox firmware which makes it nice. One other anomalie I encountered is that several of the Sansa folders had the hidden attribute set. Consequently a number of options were not available for system and music options until I “unhid” the folders. The Sansa was set to MSC before installing Rockbox. FLAC also works now. I have not tried SDHC.
