With a SanDisk Sansa m250 MP3 player, a USB connection is necessary to transfer music files using Windows Media Player or the "drag & drop method" in Windows Explorer. However, connection problems will usually arise if the player isn't properly configured or if the computer is experiencing difficulty. When connection becomes a problem, SanDisk recommends taking certain actions to enable you to upload your favorite songs on your 2GB MP3 player
Computer System
A computer that's compatible with your SanDisk m250 is not only necessary for transferring music to the player, it can also decrease transfer problems. Your computer won't recognize your media player if it doesn't meet SanDisk's minimum system requirements. According to SanDisk, the media player is only compatible with Windows XP and newer systems. In addition, your computer must run Windows Media Player 9 or newer. SanDisk also recommends a computer with high-speed USB 2.0 ports for high-speed data transfers. A computer running Intel Pentium PC or higher is also equivalent if you want to improve transfer speeds.
USB Connections
When you connect your m250 media player to the computer using the supplied USB cable, it usually appears in the left side of Windows Media Player, the default player used to transfer music. If the device doesn't appear, restarting the computer will reset USB ports. This is helpful if the ports are experiencing a power surge. If the problem persists, disconnecting other USB devices and connecting the player alone can improve connections, because some USB devices can interfere with the media player's connection. In case the USB cable you're using is faulty, try a different cable. If you're using a low-powered USB hub to connect the player to the computer, connecting the player directly to the computer can improve connection.
Battery
Unlike MP3 players with built-in rechargeable batteries, the Sansa m250 uses one AAA alkaline battery. If the battery is dead, your computer will not recognize it. In addition, if the player is not turning on, the battery is most likely dead. Opening the battery compartment on the back of the player and installing a new battery will not only power the device, it will allow your computer to recognize it for high-speed music transfers.
USB Setting
If you're using an older computer, SanDisk recommends setting the USB mode to MSC (Mass Storage Class) mode. This mode allows you to transfer music using the "drag and drop" method. You can adjust the USB mode from the player's settings. If you're using a newer computer, selecting the "Auto Detect" USB mode from the player's settings can improve connections. In this mode, the player determines the best connection method based on the PC configuration.
Tips
Installing the latest system updates using the Windows Update tool found on the Start Menu can improve the connection between the player and the computer, because this installs bug fixes, drivers and software updates. If the connection problem persists even after performing these troubleshooting guidelines, contacting SanDisk support is necessary because your device is probably faulty.
Tags: media player, player computer, transfer music, Windows Media, Windows Media Player