Any Way to Break the 113-File Barrier? 1

[flasher40]

Hello. I recently purchased a combination MP3 player and card reader. Unlike iPod-type units, it plays the mp3 files off of an SD card that you insert into the unit. Using the unit's card-reader capability, you download the files off of your computer onto the card in the unit. Then, you listen to the songs as you would with any other mp3 player.

For the unit's shuffle (random) feature to work, all the mp3 files apparently need to be on the memory card without being placed in a series of folders. However, when I organize the mp3 files that way (as a consecutive list), it appears that I can copy no more than 113 files onto the card, even though the card has a two-gigabyte capacity and plenty of space remaining (I'm using Windows XP on my computer).

Is there any way to overcome this limitation? Thanks, Bill

 

[BadBigBen]

Probably not... since it seems to be a limitation of the MP3 Player, not that of the filesystem in use...

question: do you copy the files over the MP3 player to the SD card, or is the SD card inserted into a card reader on your PC?

if you have a card reader on the PC, try to copy 120 files to the SD card, then reinsert it in the MP3 Player and see if it picks up the last 7 files, if it does not, then you can be sure that it is the limitation of the MP3 player...


PS: since you give little info on what you have, it can only be a shot in the dark as to what may be the problem...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[flasher40]

Ben (and anyone else who wants to chime in),

The same limitation occurs when I try to go beyond that limit on a different card reader (other than the mp3 player) attached to the PC.

Other than the fact already stated that I'm using a PC with the Windows XP operating system, what other info would be helpful for you to know?

Bill

 

[vacunita]

Make and Model of your Mp3 player would be useful information.



----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[BadBigBen]

Thanks Vacunita, that was actually part of what I was getting at, though I did not word it clearly I guess...


@Flasher40 - well, since the format is probably FAT - which I assume to be 16bit - which has a limit of 4096 or so files, BUT there is a limit to the ROOT directory, which is 510 files, when you use extended file names (not the 8+3) it is even less (possible that this is where you are getting knacked)...
Source:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q120138

Suggestion:
- read if your MP3 player supports the FAT32 filesystem, which does not have that limit...

- Then format the card with FAT32 and retry...





Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[flasher40]

I bought the unit new (three, actually: one for myself and two for others) on eBay. Interestingly, the manufacturer's name cannot be found anywhere, but the price was great, and other than the limitation mentioned, it works really well. I assume it's from China, Korea, etc.

Barring finding a solution, my workaround will be to buy a bunch of smaller SD cards and group music on each card according to type.

In case you find it helpful, below is the info available on the eBay site for the player:

Features:

MP3 Digital Music Player
SD/MMC Memory Card Reader/Writer
Supports SD/MMC Memory Card up to 2GB
Multiple Play Modes Including Shuffle
Works As Regular USB Thumb Drive
LCD Shows Song Number, Play Time, etc.
Multiple EQ Settings
Two Earphone Jacks
Hold Function to Lock Buttons
Compact Size


Technical Specifications:

Music Format: MP3
Equalizer Settings: NORMAL, BASS, JAZZ, ROCK, CLASSIC
Multiple Playing Modes: Standard, Repeat One, Repeat All, Shuffle, A-B Play
LCD Display: Song number, elapse time, play mode, battery status, volume, playing state, EQ setting, key lock, etc.
USB Interface: USB jack with high speed data transfer Operating System: Plug & Play for Windows XP/2000, driver CD provided for Windows 95/98/ME

Bill

 

[gbaughma]

Are you putting all of the MP3 files in the root directory?

An SD card has the limitations of only x number of entries in root.

Try putting your files in a sub-folder.



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[Amos43]

gbaughma is right - it's a limitation on the root directory of the SD card. Check out this link:

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6141_102-0.html?forumID=8&threadID=214533&messageID=2291820

The guy had almost the exact same problem and fixed it by creating a subdirectory and placing everything there.

Also, DO format your card with the FAT32 or NTFS formats, if you can.

You can search google w/ keywords "sd card root directory file limit" to find more articles about this problem.

 

[gbaughma]

well, since the format is probably FAT - which I assume to be 16bit - which has a limit of 4096 or so files, BUT there is a limit to the ROOT directory, which is 510 files, when you use extended file names (not the 8+3) it is even less (possible that this is where you are getting knacked)...

I repeated what you said.... my bad for not reading all the responses completely. Have a star for a more complete (and earlier) answer.



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[BadBigBen]

Thanx for the star...

but it was not necessary gbaughma, I too, once in a while, skip certain responses and repeat what was written before...

I guess that comes with age... LOL...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[gbaughma]

I always try to remember to give stars. Even if it's not my question... if I learned something, or someone gave a concise, correct answer, I give a star. Quite often, the folks asking the questions forget.

Personally, I'm a star-wh*re.



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com