Hi,
I have an operating system of Windows xp proffesional

Hardware bought: Samsung YP-S3JQB mp3 player

I have recently bought a new Samsung YP-S3 MP3 player from argos. I have installed the CD software which is the Samsung media studio 5. I then connected the mp3 player to the computer using the USB cable they gave me. At the bottom a balloon appeared saying that it has now found a new devide called S3. It then took me to the 'Add hardware wizard'.

I then tried to add the hardware using the 'Add hardware Wizard'. I continued to follow the steps and then it came to a point where it wouldnt let me install the hardware because they couldn't find the right software to support. So basically I can't put anything on the mp3 player whereas I do have the software installed for it.

I used a driver scanner and that told me that there wasnt a driver installed for S3. I was going to install a new S3 driver from the internet but a computer technician guy told me that the driver should come with the software, but obviously it didnt. So I downloaded the same software from the samsung website. I done the same procedure and yet it still came up with the same problem!

I phoned up samsung, told them the problem and asked them what I should do. They told me that windows xp and vista should already have these drivers installed and that I needed to contact microsoft for it. So I tried to install it on somebody else's computer because they also had windows xp. But it still came up with the same problem of not being able to install the hardware.
Ive checked the USB controlers in the device manager and they all seem to be working properly.
So basically I have tried to install the mp3 player on somebody else's computer as well as mine and I have tried the CD software provided along with the one I dowloaded, It still comes up with the same problem of failing to install the hardware.

Maybe its got something to do with the MP3 player or the USB cable?, I really dont know.

Ive run out of ideas now so please could you kindly help me with this situation.

Thankyou.

Hello and

We hope you enjoy WTT.

If it was me, I would take the
back and get a refund as you seem to have covered all aspects of your problem. It seems to me that your purchase may not be compatible with your system configuration unless others chip in to assist you with your problem.

Sorry, I have no more constructive answer for you.

kind regards,

Do you think that the mp3 player itself might be faulty?
Baring in mind, I have tried to install it on another pc.

Hello again,

Yes I do, if it will not install on two computers, then there is something suspect about your purchase. That is only my opinion, but you would have a warranty with it I am sure, so use that and swap it for another or buy a different brand altogether.

I would go for a different brand if I were you as it seems Samsung is not the one for your computer/s or for your friends either.

best regards,

I would suggest your S3 player is probably OK; the problem is with the computer.

I'm suffering a similar problem with my daughter's desktop system, and have been through the same installation exercise you describe. As with you, the system still can't recognize the player or access the S3 files. But when I plug into my laptop I can access the files, and play any of the tracks, without problem. So, I suspect my laptop has the necessary files but the desktop doesn't.

I'm trying to track down the required driver, or whatever it needs to enable the desktop to recognise the hardware. If I resolve it I'll post the solution here for you.

Davidfox,

We hope you enjoy WTT and maybe assist where possible. Lots to read and learn here on this fourm.

Thanks for chipping in here...strange though that the player does not work with two different computers as stated in the OP's initial post.

Others may contribute with their ideas.

best regards,

Update - I've scoured the web (unsuccessfully) in search of a driver, and have dug deep into Samsung's websites in three countries. I've downloaded the .pdf Operator's Manual; it notes that a driver is required in order to be able to transfer files. I've now emailed Samsung asking where to locate the driver.

Watch this space ....

hello david,
what operating system do you have on laptop? ive also tried it on my neighbours laptop which also had windows xp (the same fault occured) i think u can get something like an s3 driver from the driver detective which u do have to pay for. But i was told that windows has all of the neccesary drivers for all mp3 players.
But as you have offered, i would be grateful if you could post the solution of the driver. I would prefer not to return it because the mp3 player itself is really good.

Laptop system - Win XP SP2. Same system on my daughter's computer.

Received a response from Samsung but it didn't help. Well, in a way it did - it guided me where to dig next. In summary they advised to uninstall Media Studio, ensure you're running Win Media Player 10 or 11, connect the S3 player, go into Device Manager, and update the driver. As I say, that didn't help.

So then I went back to my laptop, found that it was running Win Media Player 6, but it still reads the S3 files without problem. So much for needing v.10 or 11. Then I had a look to see what driver version it was running, and did a web search for the driver. The end result is - try this:
Plug your player in to your computer and go into Device Manager.
You should find S3 showing under Other Devices or Portable Devices, with a yellow exclamation mark. Double click S3, select Driver, and select Update Driver.
Select "Install from a list or a specific location (Advanced)" and click Next. Select "Don't search. I will choose the driver to install" and click Next.
You should now be presented with a long list of options. Scroll down and select Portable Devices. You should now be presented either with a single choice - MTP, or on one website I looked at somebody had a choice of two - MTP and USB Mass Storage Device. In this latter case he selected USB Mass Storage Device, the driver installed, and all was fine. In my case I only had MTP showing; I installed that and now my daughter's system works fine. So it seems that no matter which one you install, the system will work.

Good luck.

Oh - one last thing. Samsung advised that once the correct driver is installed you can then re-install Media Studio. I haven't bothered to do this, my daughter can now just drag/drop files without Media Studio.

May I say Davidfox that your system is vulnerable running such an old version of Windows Media Player. I suggest you update to ver:11...after all it is free.

I would not entertain a Samsung S3 Player if I had to go through the step by step you describe in your last post. For goodness sake, what a disaster and how do they sell such a player with driver problems such as you describe.

I guess we are all different, but my advice would be for OP's to buy a player that works when connected without such stress to get it going.

I do commend you however for your persistence, patience and tolerance of the S3 Player.

Thank you also for updating this thread as you have done.

best regards,

Yes, it's interesting that some systems won't detect the S3 automatically whereas others (my laptop) picked it instantly. Maybe it's an age-related thing. I built my daughter's computer 3 - 4 years ago, maybe longer, whereas the laptop is current model. Whatever, at least the process will hopefully help those others in need.

Noted your comment re v.6. Since I've already downloaded (and saved) v.11, I'll stick it on a thumb drive and move it to the laptop.

It's my job to investigate and find the root causes of problems; seems it can't help but spill over into home problems as well. Glad to (hopefully) have been of help.

Davidfox,

You have tempted me to ask, how about volunteering here on WTT when you have more time? It is fun, wonderful feeling to give help to others, meet great people and all in all a very satisfactory way to fill in the time.

best regards,

Tallin - I'm humbled that you invited my involvement but I make no pretence at having any significant technical knowledge, at least where computers are concerned. What I posted above was from probing the web, not from my own expertise.

Secondly, as is common here in the Pilbara, I work very long hours and regretably could not devote the time needed to make a meaningful contribution to the website.

That said, I'm happy to browse the site as/when I have time and if I spot anything I think I can help with, then I'll most certainly chip in as I did here. I agree totally with your comments re volunteering.

Thanks again.

Hello Davidfox,

I will watch for you from time to time, thanks for posting back with the explanation re your work ethics and demanding work load.

You take care,

Best regards,

I'm having the same problem .. WinXP not finding a driver for the "S3" device. However I don't have either of the entries in the pull-down as you mention ("MTP" / "USB Mass Storage Device").
I do get "Windows Portable Devices" in the list but selecting that results in the message "(Unable to find any drivers for this device)".

It is interesting that "some" machines have the driver resident, and not others. I suppose in the 'working machines' the S3 device merely becomes a generic USB storage device, resulting in a drive letter assignment?

Two years ago I purchased a crappy no-name MP3 player from Dick Smith's and it was recognised without any fuss <sigh>

Very mysterious.