I picked this up for $10 from FB marketplace. It’s in fantastic condition and came with the AC adapter and a case. But… the battery only was lasting about 30 minutes. So, I decided to see if I could replace it. This is one of the easiest -players to open – all screws are visible and easy to get to.

Continue reading →

I previously showed how I upgraded a ZIF Creative Vision:M to use microSD. This time I have an IDE version, not ZIF. I couldn’t find any good info on upgrading the IDE version so I thought I’d document it here.

Parts needed:

• $8 NFHK CF Compact Flash Memory Card to 50pin 1.8 Inch IDE Hard Drive SSD Converter Adapter
• $13 QUMOX Dual Port CF Adapter Reader for microsdXC TF to Compact Flash CF Type 1 Memory Card
• $12 Amazon Basics 128GB microSD card I used Amazon Basics, but any good card should work.
• $16 Cameron Sino Rechargeble Battery for Creative Zen Vision M

So for about $50 you give your Creative Vision:M a new battery and upgraded microSD storage.

Continue reading →

I have a BUNCH of old MP3 players now. I take my favorite 120 songs and put them on all of them and use them. I finally got tired of only having about 20 of them show their album art and the others didn’t. I decided to figure out how to fix it. Here is what I found – by doing this, it made almost every one of the album arts show on my various MP3 players from Sony, Samsung, Sandisk/Sansa, Rockbox, Coby, Ruizu, etc.

Continue reading →

NOTE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Amazon links below are affiliate links.

I’ve been on a kick lately buying bulk lots of MP3 players and reviving/updating/upgrading them. Keeps me busy, keeps them out of landfills, and is fun for me. Recently I got a bulk lot that had numerous Creative Zens: two Micro, one Touch, and one Vision:M. It was a major PITA to get these working so I wanted to document this for myself and others. I archived all the files on github – see brianpipa/CreativeZen.

Continue reading →