[CentOS] Re: OT? Creative Zen player not registering as a USB device

Thu Dec 27 21:19:03 UTC 2007
Mark Hull-Richter <mhullrich at gmail.com>

On Wed, 2007-12-26 at 12:06 -0800, Scott Silva wrote:
> on 12/25/2007 7:19 PM MHR spake the following:
> > I plugged my son's new (Christmas) Zen V player into my CentOS 5.1 box 
> > and it doesn't register as a device that the system can see or mount.
> > 
> > If I lsusb, it shows up as bus 2, device 8, but there is no 
> > corresponding /dev/??? device for it, so the system can't get at it.
> > 
> > How do I get around this?
> > 
> Many Zen's have a proprietary driver, not just a usb storage device.
> 
Here's what Creative said:

-------- Forwarded Message --------
> From: Creative Americas Customer Support
> <CLI.support at customercare.creative.com>
> To: Mark Hull-Richter <mhullrich at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: CLI - Technical Support Request - (ZEN
> 2GB/4GB/8GB/16GB/32GB) (KMM15703108I110L0KM)
> Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:55:06 +0000 (GMT)
> 
> Dear Mark 
> Thank you for reaching us at Creative Customer Support; we appreciate
> the opportunity to assist you. I am very sorry for the frustration but
> we do not support Linux with any of our players. 
> 
> I am not sure why, it may be because its open source and there may be
> support from an outside source, for example there is a link for linux
> support for our soundcards at this link:
> http://opensource.creative.com/soundcard.html You can check out the
> web to see if there is any support, again I am sorry for the
> inconvenience. 
> 
> If you would like to see the accessories that we carry for this player
> or any of our other great products like the new X-Fi wireless home
> sound system for exceptional sound, please go to
> http://us.creative.com/shop/shopcategory.asp?category=213& If you
> still require assistance, please reply to this email with any previous
> correspondence to ensure the quickest and most accurate service. 
> 
> Best Regards , 
> 
> Jack 
> Technical Support 
> Creative Labs Americas 
> 
> - - - 
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> Blaster. Cables, gaming headsets, remotes, drive and console upgrade
> kits, premium speakers and headphones, and more! 
> http://us.creative.com/redirect.asp?id=5629 
> 
> PROTECT IT -- Protect your ZEN, Sound Blaster X-Fi and select WebCams
> by extending your product's coverage to a full 2 years with a Creative
> Care Protection Plan. 
> http://us.creative.com/redirect.asp?id=5630 
> 
> SAVE UP TO 80% NOW -- Visit Creative's Savings Center for sale items
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> http://us.creative.com/redirect.asp?id=5631 
> 
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> http://us.creative.com/redirect.asp?id=5632 
> 
> - - - 

I left in the ads at the end because I think it explains quite clearly
why Creative won't do this: no money in it for them (or so they think).

I would recommend that all Linux Zen users bombard them with requests
for support.  Maybe if they think there's a demand for it, they'll give
in and provide it (miracles happen...).

Thanks!

mhr