Rhapsody uses the Windows Device Manager in conjunction with the MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) driver stack to communicate with your device.

If you connect your device but it doesn't show up in Rhapsody, this typically means that the device is not being presented to Rhapsody as a usable device by your computer's operating system.

Some quick things you should check:

1. Make sure that your device is turned on before plugging it into your computer.
   
   
2. Make sure whenever possible that you are plugging it into a USB 2.0 port (typically the ports located on the back of your computer).
   
   
3. Make sure the device is in the appropriate music transfer mode.
   
   
4. Make sure the device is indicating that it is connected to the computer. Most devices show this on their screens. If the device doesn't show as connected, check the cable to make sure it is plugged in all the way.
   
   Having this trouble with the Sansa e200R Rhapsody? Click here.
   
   Having this trouble with an Apple iPod? Click here.
   
   Note: iPhones and iPod Touch devices will not show up when connected to Rhapsody. However, they can be used with the Rhapsody for iPhone application.
   
   
5. Once you have made sure that everything is plugged in and set to the proper mode, look to see if the device is showing up in My Computer.

If the Device still doesn't show up:

If you have made sure that everything on the device is configured properly and you still are unable to see the device in either My Computer or Rhapsody, you should check in Device Manager to see if it is showing up as portable device (as opposed to a modem, removable storage drive, or an unknown device).

To access the Device Manager:

Windows XP

1. Right-click (right mouse button) the My Computer icon on your desktop or in your Start menu and select Properties.
   
   
2. Select the Hardware tab.
   
   
3. Click the button labeled Device Manager.
   
   

Windows Vista

1. Click the Windows button (used to be the start button in XP).
   
   
2. Select Control Panel.
   
   
3. Double-click System and Maintenance.
   
   
4. Select System.
   
   
5. Select Device Manager.

Look through the devices in Device Manager to see if your player shows up. It will typically be shown in one of the following device categories:

• Portable Media Players / Portable Devices – If it shows up here, the device is recognized as an MTP-capable device (this is how the device should show up when you are trying to transfer subscription content to it with Rhapsody).

• Universal Serial Bus controllers – This is where generic USB devices such as removable thumb drives will show up. If your device is showing up here this means your device is being detected as a removable drive and not a subscription capable MTP device.
  
  The device is not being detected as an MTP device because there is a problem with the driver for the device, or it is in the wrong transfer mode. You should check through the menu on the device to see if it has an option for MTP, Media Transfer, Plays for Sure, or Synch mode.
  
  Check your device documentation for details.
  
  After switching modes and reconnecting the device, your device should now show up in the "Portable Devices" section of the Device Manager window. If the problem still exists, you will need to reinstall the driver for the device.
  

Note: In this screenshot there were two devices connected:

BlackBerry Tour (shows up as BlackBerry Device)

Sansa View (shows up as USB Mass Storage Device)

• Other / Unknown / Unrecognized Devices – This means that the driver for your device is not installed properly. You should uninstall the device and reinstall the driver for it. See instructions below.

• Modems – This is where modems show up. If your cell phone is capable of acting as a modem it may show up in this section.
  
  If you are using a Verizon handset and it is showing up here, this means that you have not yet installed the USB driver included with your Media Essentials Kit / on the Verizon Wireless website, or that your handset is not set to synch mode / music transfer mode.
  
  Try manually setting your Verizon handset to synch mode and see if that causes it to switch to the portable device category in Device Manager. Check the documentation that came with your phone for instructions.
  
  If manually switching the Verizon handset to synch mode does not resolve the problem, please make sure that the USB driver has been installed for your phone. See below.
  

Check for Errors

While you are looking at the Device Manager, you should check to see if there are any reported problems with the device. These will typically be indicated by a yellow exclamation or question mark.

To get additional information about the error being reported, simply double-click the device and check the status section.

Example Error that may show up:
This device cannot start. (Code 10)

If you get an error code like this, this Microsoft KB article should tell you what the error code means and how to troubleshoot it.

You can also check with your device manufacturer for more information.

If the device doesn't show up in device manager or is giving you an error icon, try the steps below:

1. Try a different USB port (use one on the back of machine).
   
   
2. Update the MTP Driver (If it is showing up as an unknown device, USB mass storage device, or has an error message):
   
   a) Select the Device.
   b) Click the Properties button.
   c) Go to the Drivers tab.
   d) Click the Uninstall Driver button.
   e) Wait till it completes, then unplug the device from the computer.
   f) Plug the device back into the computer.
   

3. Uninstall and reinstall Windows Media Player 11 or 10 (XP only)

4. Contact the device manufacturer.

More information on transfer modes:

MP3 Players typically connect to your computer in one of two primary modes:

MSC Mode:.Mass Storage Class mode. This is the connection mode used for communicating with USB hard drives. It offers faster transfer rates but does not support subscription content transfer for most devices (Sansa Rhapsody e200r series is the only device that supports subscription content in this mode). To use most devices with Rhapsody to Go you need to switch the device out of MSC mode.

MTP Mode: Media Transfer Protocol mode. This is the connection mode used by portable devices that work with the Windows Plays For Sure model. This connection mode is required for subscription track transfer with most devices.

Setting the mode for your device:

Most MP3 Players:
This option is typically found in the device settings menu under USB Settings or Connection.

BlackBerry:
This option is typically found under the Memory settings.

V CAST enabled LG and Samsung Handsets:
You will need to manually place the device into synch mode at device connect. Go to the V CAST / Get it Now menu, Go to Music / Tunes and Tones, Go to the Sync Music menu item.

Common MP3 Player transfer mode designations:
Each device manufacturer labels it slightly differently but here are the common names.

• MTP: MTP Mode

• MSC: MSC Mode

• Plays For Sure: MTP Mode

• Music Transfer: MTP Mode

• File Transfer: MSC Mode

• Rhapsody Mode: MSC Mode (Sansa Rhapsody e200R, only device that supports subscription transfer in MSC Mode)

• Media Transfer: Check Device Documentation. The meaning can vary by device manufacturer

• Auto (or Autodetect): Device will typically try to connect first in MTP mode and then fall back to MSC if MTP is unavailable. Use this option if the device does not have a selectable MTP option.

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Verizon Wireless Phones:

Most V CAST Music with Rhapsody phones require that you install a special USB driver for the phone to be able to connect in MTP mode.

If you are receiving connection failed or failed to install driver messages when connecting your phone in synch mode, please make sure that you have installed the custom USB driver for your handset.

These typically come with the Music Essentials kit (check with your local Verizon representative to see if a kit is required for your phone) or from the Verizon website. The drivers on the Verizon website can be found here:

http://www.vzam.net/vcastmusic/

If your Verizon phone is using Windows Mobile OS, you will need to install Microsoft active sync on your computer before Rhapsody will be able to detect it.

Active sync download link for XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/help/synchronize/activesync-download.mspx

Windows Mobile Device center 6.1 Vista
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/help/synchronize/device-center-download.mspx

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