Official Slacker Forums

[CharlesB]

Gabey8,

Sorry to hear about these issues and the restarting loop is a simple fix in most cases. We should have responded to this email prior to me writing this response. Please let me know if you do not receive the response.

[silentsport]

I'm sick of staring at the "starting up" screen and waiting for someone to respond to my emails. Can someone please just post the instructions for this "simple fix"?

[MikeV]

I'm sick of staring at the "starting up" screen and waiting for someone to respond to my emails. Can someone please just post the instructions for this "simple fix"?

The instructions require a file that needs to be emailed to you by Slacker support in order for the fix to work. This file is specific either to your player or your account (I don't know which), and must be emailed to you by Slacker support. it's not something that one person can post and have it work for everyone else. Slacker support will be back in the office tomorrow. If you don't get a response to your email then, try the live support chat between 11a-8p Eastern/8a-5p Pacific.

[codek]

I just sent an email about this. Hopefully everything will be ok

[nerys]

still no reply to my e-mail.

it figures it would be a damned DRM issue. one more reason DRM is bad

its is specific to the account or player its an encryption or signing issue in other words DRM.

Mind you I don't mind DRM on a device like this where you have no expectation of owning the content its just radio but it still sucks

Grrr :-(

and my new slacker will not arrive until jan 6 Grrr (got the 8gb unit)

you should to put an option in the next firmware update that will let us "reject" firmware updates till we are satisfied they are stable. OR have a full proof NO SLACKER SUPPORT NEED method of resetting our units when things like this happen.

ALSO I need to know WHY this happened. ie whats to stop it from happening again in a week. and then I have to wait "another week" for support to get back to me again on hopefully fixing it.

unless your giving us correct firmware we are using the same firmware and therefore the SAME bug is still in play.

ie what triggers it. what can we do on our end to NOT trigger this error?

maybe you guys are for some reason NOT getting my e-mail message (I sent 2 one a few days ago when this happened and second last night ie wednesday night)

my e-mail registered with my account is slacker@nerys.com please send the key and instructions.

[nerys]

Well change at work (pop's sick so we are working some extra shifts) So I will actually be awake during normal hours tomorrow

Hopefully I will remember to get my but onto live support to get my slacker working again

[chyllaxin]

Please help me!!! I love my G1 which I got on Dec 1st and now it's stuck on "starting up"!! I have emailed support and am really anxious about it being fixed - - especially since I've encouraged my other friends to buy one!!

[PatentGuy]

Please help me!!! I love my G1 which I got on Dec 1st and now it's stuck on "starting up"!! I have emailed support and am really anxious about it being fixed - - especially since I've encouraged my other friends to buy one!!

Send an email to support@slacker.com and the will assist you.

[jason@debloois.org]

I too am stuck on startup. And also appear to be stuck on getting a response from support. Sent two emails in the last week and still no fix. Posting here as well just in case.

Loved my G1 when it was working.

[nerys]

LIVE support is online right now go that route.

OK here are some cleaned up instructions for resetting your slacker (your STILL going to need the file they send you as its CUSTOM to you)

they will send you a 20090107.p12 file or something very similar.

first thing you need to do is CLICK the file. one of two things will happen. either your OK and a Import Certificate Wizard will appear (just hit next and ok to everything change nothing)

When that is done NOW you will be able to flash your player.

IF THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN if when you click P12 you get a browser for program to open this file with your going to have some trouble.

The Slacker certificate is not a slacker certificate its a microsoft formatted certificate. IE it depends on certain files and programs being on your computer that are NOT from slacker. if you do not get the import wizard you do not have these files.

I believe these files are part of internet explorer. Not sure what version. I tend to "disable" explorer and remove any MS components that are dangerous or I do not need. I have no idea precisely which one Slakcer needs

basically these 2 files should reside in your system32 folder

cryptext.dll and crypnet.dll if they are NOT there this process will not work. take that P12 file onto other computers and click it till you get the import certificate wizard. when you find a PC where that happens THAT'S the pc you need to do your flash from.

Now install the slacker software if its not already installed. make sure your logged in.

Make sure you have enough CHARGE on your slacker in in doubt plug it in for 30 minutes to charge up some. Once you start your sync you can plug in the charger. (I would avoid using the USB cable in a PC to charge as I am not sure what plugging into a computer will do to this process probably nothing but I can not say with certainty)

Now hold down the power button till the screen goes black and quickly press and hold VOLUME UP and slide the power switch into the lock position.

Once you see a YELLOW bar at the bottom of the screen you can release all buttons but LEAVE the lock switch locked.

Once its up to the recovery screen plug in the USB cable to both the slacker and the PC

now press vol down. if it has not already done so windows will begin installing drivers for this process when its done the slacker software will present you with a ready to recover screen.

click OK and it should begin the process by erasing your slacker.

It will then download firmware unpack the firmware and then install the firmware. the entire process took me only a few minutes it was surprisingly fast.

once its booted back up do a SYNC since there is now nothing on the player.

at this time plug in the AC power cord since an interrupted sync is thought might lead to this kind of problem so you don't want that battery dying during sync and its going to be an INITIAL sync so for most people a very long sync.

That's it. So far so good my player is still syncing its probably going to take well over an hour.

I just hope it either goes away or slacker comes out with a more permenent fix if his does not do it.

apparently some of us got a slightly corrupted firmware update and for some it went splat right away and for some it took a few days. IF this is the case a clean firmware install "should" solve the problem permanently.

Fingers Crossed. So far it has only affected 2 of my 7 slackers. the others appear to be ok so far.

[PatentGuy]

I believe these files are part of internet explorer. Not sure what version. I tend to "disable" explorer and remove any MS components that are dangerous or I do not need.

I believe that explains why you seem to be having unique problems. Windows is a complex system, like it or not. Many software packages (including Slacker) require Window components and it is dangerous to be disabling and removing parts of the OS. If you must modify a basic Windows install, you do it at your own risk. Since it sounds like you have multiple computers, you may want to consider keeping one computer with a fully installed Windows system. That way, if you have problems you can determine if it is a real problem or if it caused by something you did to the OS.

[Niric]

Ow, this issue really stings. I just sent an email to you all for it. I provided my portable ID in case it helps speed things up.

It wouldn't be half as bad if you could actually just turn the thing "Off" but with the way the power switch is designed thats impossible unless I strapped a big piece of tape on it. Which I won't do. I guess I'll let it just reboot itself outta batteries then.

Thanks for the help in advance.

-Niric

[sel9648]

3 emails over a week, no answers, I'm going to give up and return mine.

[frizgolf]

3 emails over a week, no answers, I'm going to give up and return mine.

Don't give up!
Other folks are posting problems with e-mail communications. I dunno, perhaps a friendly PM nudge to RomeE or MikeV with your e-mail address in the message...? Maybe their junk file is filtering out some e-mails.
The support staff here has been stellar. Once they're aware of your problem, they'll walk you through it.

[PatentGuy]

3 emails over a week, no answers, I'm going to give up and return mine.

Have you checked your junk mail or SPAM folder? The e-mails I get from Slacker Support have been going to my SPAM folder. My SPAM filter captures too many of my legitimate e-mails. I have to check every SPAM e-mail before I delete it.

The best alternative is to use Live Chat during West Coast working hours.

[PatentGuy]

Ow, this issue really stings. I just sent an email to you all for it. I provided my portable ID in case it helps speed things up.

It wouldn't be half as bad if you could actually just turn the thing "Off" but with the way the power switch is designed thats impossible unless I strapped a big piece of tape on it. Which I won't do. I guess I'll let it just reboot itself outta batteries then.

On the left side (the side with the USB connector) is a tiny hole. You can insert a paperclip int that hole. About 5/8 inch inside the hole is a tab that, if you push with the paperclip wire, will open the battery compartment. You can then remove the battery to avoid draining it. That way, when Slacker gives you the fix, you are ready to go.

[Niric]

Ow, this issue really stings. I just sent an email to you all for it. I provided my portable ID in case it helps speed things up.

It wouldn't be half as bad if you could actually just turn the thing "Off" but with the way the power switch is designed thats impossible unless I strapped a big piece of tape on it. Which I won't do. I guess I'll let it just reboot itself outta batteries then.

On the left side (the side with the USB connector) is a tiny hole. You can insert a paperclip int that hole. About 5/8 inch inside the hole is a tab that, if you push with the paperclip wire, will open the battery compartment. You can then remove the battery to avoid draining it. That way, when Slacker gives you the fix, you are ready to go.

I wanted to chime in and thank RomeE, for quickly responding to my email today. RomeE, thanks for working during the weekend and helping the best you can to keep our slacker G1s up and running. The flash worked just fine, and the instructions were very well written and easy to understand. My slacker is currently sitting on my bed charging and updating the stations as expected. Thanks again for the help!

PatentGuy, Thanks for the tip there! I wondered what that hole was, but I had to question it having anything to do with releasing the battery cover considering how small it was. I was afraid of hurting my G1, haha. I appreciate the tip, if I run into the 'stuck at start up' issue again, i'll use that technique worst case.

-Niric

[GtariSSt]

And we all lived happily ever after...

Seriously folks, I know y'all are jonesin' for your G1's, but take a chill pill and wait for regular business hours Monday, 1/5. There's been a ton of people getting these most excellent devices, and I know it's a bummer not being able to use them, but c'mon, it's been a weird holiday season! How much have you been working, answering work emails, etc?

I know I'm one of the lucky ones that hasn't had problems, but step back and look at the big picture and let these guys work through their issues, and we WILL all live happily ever after.

Slacking, as always,

Geetar Dave

[mbrachs]

I am now recovering my G1 for the 2nd time. This is really starting to get old. It started getting sluggish for a little while then back to the start up loop again. I must say that the Slacker support was excellent the first time this happened. Rome E stepped me through the process and I was up and running in a short time. Slacker you really need to get a true fix for this and not the band-aid that you have out there now. I really love this device and planned on purchasing at least one more but now I don't know if that is a good idea. I was telling everyone about this device that would listen and how awesome it is. Now I don't think I would recommend it to anyone. Please Slacker Support get a real fix for this thing ASAP. As a music lover this device when working right is a truly beautiful thing. Please please please get it together soon. I want a g2 40 station but cannot justify the expense based on the reliability of my G1.

[PatentGuy]

I am now recovering my G1 for the 2nd time. This is really starting to get old. It started getting sluggish for a little while then back to the start up loop again. I must say that the Slacker support was excellent the first time this happened. Rome E stepped me through the process and I was up and running in a short time. Slacker you really need to get a true fix for this and not the band-aid that you have out there now. I really love this device and planned on purchasing at least one more but now I don't know if that is a good idea. I was telling everyone about this device that would listen and how awesome it is. Now I don't think I would recommend it to anyone. Please Slacker Support get a real fix for this thing ASAP. As a music lover this device when working right is a truly beautiful thing. Please please please get it together soon. I want a g2 40 station but cannot justify the expense based on the reliability of my G1.

In the initial post by Slacker Support here : http://forums.slacker.com/g1-stuck-on-starting-up--t2309.html, Support said that they were providing an interim fix to get everyone up and running as quick as possible and that a permanent fix is going to take a bit of time. I imagine once the holidays are over and everyone returns to work, Slacker will be able to properly address the issues with the G1. It was unfortunate that this problem happened just as the holidays started.