N200 + Windows = trauma

On my operating system of choice, Debian Linux, when you want to install and run something, you say "apt-get install " and it goes and gets the thing from the net and installs it and configures it properly. No prompts, even. Then you just run it…

As I mentioned a moment ago, my Creative MuVo Micro N200 MP3 player ate itself somehow. I investigated its "Recovery Mode", but it appeared it also needed a firmware upgrade. Besides, it would be wrong for the device to be able to recover itself without talking to a Windows box.

So I downloaded the Windows N200 firmware updater from the Creative website, and tried to follow these instructions:

Filename: MuVoN200_PCFW_LF_1_20_04.exe

This upgrade improves the functionality of your Creative MuVo® Micro N200 player. For complete functionality, make sure that you meet the requirements listed below before installing this upgrade.

Enhancement:

  • Supports Thai unicode character display

Fixes:

  • Restores proper playback time display when you play large WMA files
  • Reduces your player's startup time

Requirements:

  • Microsoft® Windows® XP, Windows 2000, Windows Millennium Edition or Windows 98 Second Edition (SE)
  • Available USB port (version 1.1 or higher)
  • Creative MuVo Micro N200 player
  • For Windows 98 SE only: Creative MuVo drivers 1.04.00.250 available from the Installation CD or Creative Mass Storage drivers 1.07.00.250 available from the Internet.

Notes:

  • This firmware upgrade only works with Creative MuVo Micro N200 players. Do not install this upgrade to other players.
  • You will lose all content in your player when you install the firmware. Back up any audio or data files in your player to your computer before upgrading the firmware.
  • To install this firmware upgrade, do the following:
    1. Download the MuVoN200_PCFW_LF_1_20_04.exe file into your local hard disk.
    2. Connect your player to your computer.
    3. Double-click the firmware upgrade file.
    4. When prompted to set your player in Recovery mode, disconnect your player from your computer.
    5. Press and hold the Play button while connecting your player to your computer's USB port.
    6. Continue to hold the Play button for about 10 seconds after connecting your player to your computer.
    7. Release the Play button when the Find New Hardware dialog box appears on the computer screen.
    8. Follow the instructions on the screen to install recovery drivers for your player.
    9. Double-click the firmware upgrade file and follow the instructions on the screen.

(My apologies to Creative for quoting their instructions rather than linking them; there was no convenient way I could find to do the latter.)


First of all, wow. Can consumers really figure all that out?

Second, and more importantly, it took me literally 8 or 10 tries to follow these instructions to a successful conclusion. I don't have the notes or the patience to reconstruct all of it, but here's a few highlights:

I don't know how much of this is Windows being really hard to work around, and how much is Creative doing a really bad job. What I do know is that there's no way the average consumer is ever going to be able to reset and upgrade the N200, given the complexity of the process and the low quality of the instructions and help.

Which is too bad, because the N200 firmware is buggy and the device eats itself.