Is my Sansa Clip+ 2GB dead and if so what killed it?

[variation]

I've used my Sansa Clip+ 2GB (Firmware 01.02.15) almost every day since I bought it a year ago. Last night I went for a 1 hour walk and my Sansa Clip+ worked properly. At night before I fell asleep I was using it and it suddenly stopped working, the screen went blank, and the device became unresponsive. I connected it to my wall USB charger and it showed no signs of life.

This morning I connected it to my PC and the screen went on but it doesn't look right: where I am supposed to see the track title all I see are 6 squares, a percentage sign, and then some strange symbol. The device is still unresponsive - only the screen is on, even after I disconnected it from my PC - and it's also worth noting that my PC did not detect the device's memory cards.

What I want to know is whether this thing reached the end of its natural life given the amount of use I have given it or whether the Bytecc USB charger which I bought at the mall a week ago for $5 likely contributed to its death.

Should I just forget about this thing and buy a new clip+ (or something newer and better) and never use the USB wall charger again?

[CrowdAds]

[Nausicaa]

I think wall chargers do contribute to them dying. They could have put in an extra resistor or something. If its less than a year, you can get it replaced, good luck.

[Marvin the Martian]

A wall charger with the proper specs will not harm the player.....but one with improper specs sure can.

[Mikerman]

A reason why I've shied away from generic USB/AC adapters, tending to go with adapters from "name-brand" companies--hoping that there may be a greater amount of quality control. Meritline.com has sold a small Apple (sorry)-branded adapter for cheap (a 15th of what it goes for in the mainstay retail store)--a good purchase (hopefully).

[whinestein]

the old hard reset (hold the power button for 15-30 seconds) worked for me with same problem. seems to be generic fix for sansas.

[JK98]

If holding the power button down for 30 seconds doesn't work, then reloading the firmware might work.

Beware of low quality chargers. Motorola RAZR chargers(ones made by Motorola) are high quality and cheap(under $5).

[whinestein]

How do you load the firmware if, as in my case, the sansa wont come on when plugged into the computer? Computer (Win7) didn't see it. Oh, and the only charger I use other than the computer happens to be for motorola so it's good to hear from you on that.

[Mikerman]

Is your Clip's USB mode (under its settings) set to MSC? That often can help a connection issue.