COBY MPC-841 MP3 PLAYER
Troubleshooting issues

This expands on the CobyUSA MPC-841 documentation at the Coby web site.



ISSUE #3 WHY DOES MY MP3 PLAYER READ "SYSTEM ERROR"

If your MP3 player displays "system error", it means the firmware is corrupted. You will need to reset the firmware on the unit. Coby suggests a self-format then a firmware reload. Try both as I've described below, however I suspect you'll need to do the Windows-based format followed by the firmware load.

ISSUE #6: WHY DOES MY MPC-841 PLAYER SHOW BLACK SQUARES

If your MP3 player shows the black squares then it means the firmware (MPC-841 operating system) is corrupted. See instructions below for resetting/upgrading firmware.

ISSUE #8: WHY DOES MY MPC-841 PLAYER FREEZE ON "COBY"

If the MP3 player freezes on "COBY" as soon as it is turned on, it means a corrupted file has been transferred into the player. The only way to remove/delete the file from the MP3 player is to format it just as you would format a disk drive. See instructions below for resetting/upgrading firmware.

ISSUE #10: HOW DO I RESET/UPGRADE THE FIRMWARE IN MY MPC-841?

Resetting or upgrading firmware is done by obtaining the "driver" for the MPC-841 from the Coby web site and loading it into the player just as you would load a music file. See instructions below for resetting/upgrading firmware.



Instructions for self-formatting the MPC-841

  1. Remove the battery from the Player
  2. Switch the HOLD button to the ON position.
  3. Insert the battery and close the cover
  4. Simultaneously press the MENU/OFF & PLAY/PAUSE buttons.
  5. The MP3 should display FORMATTING. Once the unit is done formatting, you should see black squares.



Instructions for formatting the MPC-841

Assuming a Windows PC...

  1. Make sure the player is turned on.
  2. Connect the MP3 player to the Computer.
  3. The PC will automatically detect the player as "Removable Disk" under MY COMPUTER.
  4. Right click on the "Removable Disk" and from the menu, select Format.
  5. Set File System to "FAT", not "FAT32".
  6. Select Start
  7. (You may or may not have to reload the firmware after a format.)

Instructions for reloading/resetting/upgrading the firmware in the MPC-841

Assuming a Windows PC...

  1. (You may or may not have to format the MPC-841 first.)
  2. Obtain the firmware (Driver) for the MPC-841 from the CobyUSA download site and download the MPC841 "DRIVER" file. This is a zip file. Unzip it to get the actual firmware FNT file.
  3. Make sure the player is turned on.
  4. Connect the MP3 player to the computer.
  5. The PC will automatically detect the MP3 player as "Removable Disk" under MY COMPUTER.
  6. Select the firmware FNT file and drag-and-drop it into the removable disk icon.
  7. After the file transfer, disconnect the MP3 player using the "Safely Remove Hardware" tool located in the system tray.
  8. Once the MP3 player is safely removed from the computer, turn on the power.