Ok, so summer has finally arrived and I'm tired of my old Phillips portable CD player. I need an MP3 player, however I'm not about to spend money on an Apple product. I just can't do it.

After much debate I'm quite sold on the Creative Zen Micro 4gb version. I don't need an insane amount of space, as I will just be using it while running, biking and taking short trips out of town.

The number one question I have prior to hitting the "ADD TO CART" button in my order process is, how does it interface with a computer? I need a definitive answer as to how I transfer my files to the Zen Micro. Ideally I want a removable disk type interface; otherwise I flat out won't buy it. I've seen and heard both sides: some say it works like a removable disk, others say you have to use their supplied software and then I keep hearing about the updated firmware. HELP! I want to make a decision but need these answers.

There is 2 Types of Firmware.

Play for Sure (Syncs with WMP10 etc) and use Windows Explorer to Copy & Paste / Drag & Drop MP3's (It needs NO DRIVERS.)

Or you can use the normal firmware which requires the basic Driver to be installed and then you can use Creative software (Pretty good and fast) or Use Windows Explorer.

If I just install the base driver I can just drag and drop songs from an explorer dialogue onto the player like a removable disk is what you're saying?

Yes.


If you dont want to have to install the basic driver at all, you need to install the 'Play For Sure' Firmware. (I believe they ship without the Play For Sure Firmware so you would have to install the basic driver Intially)

I own one and I do use the Creative Software.

But, I can & have once or twice just used Windows Explorer to copy some files over.

Also, there is a setting on the Zen Micro to actually set a certain amount of space as a Removal Device.

Thank you so much Hypoxiaicon for a solid answer. I've been getting dicked around on every forum I've tried so far.

I just hate Creative software/drivers, I've always had horrible luck with them and their support is shameful but the Zen Micro is everything I need in a player. Knowing now I have some options for transferring music allows me to go ahead with my purchase. Thanks again.

No problem, here to help.

What colour you going to get?

Black or silver. I'm in Canada and no online retailer seems to have a cahce of them, so I'm ordering and crossing my fingers.

I have just purchased the silver model yesterday and its the best gadget i have bought in a long time, there are just so many nice features that come as standard. In my eyes this player is much better than the ipod and even looks better.

The only small problem , if i can even call it a problem is that the up/down centre menu system button seems to move too fast even when i scrool up/down slowly. I have been into the settings and chnaged the sensitivity to low , but still seems fast. I think after i have used it a bit more it should start to feel more smoothly.

This is probably the best player for the proce range and even puts shame on more expensive brands

One of the firmware upgrades addresses the issues with the scrolling.

Well I got it and I'm impressed for sure. Although I can't quite figure out how to transfer my music onto the thing without having to use the crap Creative software. Any help here?

You can either transfer music by using Creative MediaSource/Zen Micro Explorer or Windows Media Player 10.
To use the WMP10 you need to upgrade the firmware to v2.

Ahhh crap. Ok, is WMP10 any good? I've heard some really negative things about it.

Whats so hard about using The Zen Micro Explorer software? Its extremely straight forward and easy to use.

I hate Creative software; it’s always total garbage and bug ridden. Their hardware is wonderful but the software side has burned me many times before. I may just bite the bullet and install the bloody thing.

I have the standard firmware and it syncs to WMP fine?

I just took the plunge and installed the Creative Media Explorer. It's all right, haven't discovered any bugs yet - which is quite surprising all things considered.