Updating Sansa Express firmware without the updater: response from Sandisk

[Mickets]

Hello.

I was thinking to myself: the firmware on the Sansa Express must be updateable without the need of an Internet connection. Just get the right files, and copy the over, maybe by means of a special updater software. RIght?

Well, why not ask the folks at Sandisk about it? Here are their replies:

1. They imply that it is possible (not a surprise for me):

Thank you for contacting SanDisk Technical Support. I apology for inconvinience.

We will send you the files as email attachments. Please try that and let us know the result.

Sincerely,

Person A
SanDisk Technical Support

2. The e-mail doesn't arrive. I ask again.

Hello,

If you dont get it toady please let us know.

Sincerely,

Person A
SanDisk Technical Support

3. And suddenly it can't be done anymore:

Thanks again for contecting SanDisk Technical Support. It is our goal to make sure you have all the resources you need to get the most from your product.

Unfortunately the only way you can update the firmware on your player is through the Sansa Firmware Updater.

Please refer to your eBox anytime to see additional resources from SanDisk.

You can also use this Support Request tool for contacting SanDisk in the future.

Best regards,
Person B,
SanDisk Technical Support

Person A was nice, but Person B got in the way and I never received the files.

So, it is possible. We just need the files.

Mickets

[katilkurt]

Could A. refer to firmware installations with other devices? Like C200 series?

[Mickets]

My request support was for the Sansa Express. That's very clear on my e-box at Sandisk, where there isn't any of the other models listed, so I don't think person A was referring to another model. But if it was, why didn't they say so?

[chrisjs162216]

I have a copy of the firmware files...

It still requires Sansa Express Updater (which is included in the 7z archive) but since the files are right there, no connection is required. I figured out which files go on to the SE, but I can't say for sure how safe it is to try to manually update without the Sansa Express Updater. It seems that the 'main' Sansa Updater downloads the 7z archive and then extracts the contents, and then begins the upgrade with the included Sansa Express Updater. However, since the 7z archive already has the Sansa Express Updater, the Sansa Updater (it seems they are two different things...) isn't required.

Meh, that's getting confusing. Here's a copy of the 7z archive Sansa Updater downloads - http://chrisjs.com/download/firmware...ware1_01_01.7z Keep in mind, I'm not responsible if this bricks your player (though I can't see how it would, unless you try manually placing the files on your SE) - I am only mirroring the official copy of the archive downloaded by Sansa Updater

Person B sounds automated....bot maybe.

[DataCable]

Originally Posted by chrisjs162216

I have a copy of the firmware files...

This didn't revert the firmware on mine, it's still 1.01.01A, and even an actual SanDisk-brand 2GB MicroSD card won't work with it.

[Peyotero]

http://www.megafileupload.com/en/file/32366/SE-rar.html
Latest firmware for offline update.

[damianiw]

the latest version is on sansa's site

01.01.05a

http://forums.sandisk.com/sansa/boar...thread.id=1143

[edoovel]

When i asked for firmware (without updater) from sandisk, only Marlon H. will send it to me. The others didnt even bother me.

Then, they close my request in sansa eBOX.

Update using the SansaUpdater is extremely a failure. The sansa cant be updated at all!