Downgrading the Firmware

Although details are still sketchy, it appears that you should definitely downgrade your firmware before removing the drive. I guess there's a chicken/egg problem otherwise - without a good drive you can't upload different firmware, and you need different firmware to use certain drives.

I used version 1.10.01 per recommendations on the internet.

Required tools

The holes in the case down which the retaining screws go are narrow, and so require a very narrow screwdriver like this. I got this one at the ACE Hardware for $6.25 in Belmont California. It is also magnetic which is always handy for retrieving screws.

Details on the unit I used

There's been a lot of controversy on whether some Muvo's won't work. Well, I add this to the mix: my unit worked, and here's what the back of it looks like. Here also is a picture showing what rev of the board I have (v0.0.39)

Removing the case

There are four screws on the back. Two you can see in the pictures above, 2 are under the batter cover. One of these under the cover is also under a 'warranty void if removed' sticker. So, you are taking a risk: if you trash your unit, you will have a very hard time getting Creative to fix it.

Here's what you'll see after removing the back

Removing the boards from the case

The circuit cards are connected via a flex connector. Lift gently on the side where you have the USB and other connectors to fold the top board up and expose the bottom board. Said board has 4 screws holding it to the case. 3 are in plain view, one is under a piece of black plastic tape (in the upper right corner of my photo). Try not to trash the tape as I imagine it is there to insulate the board above it from the screw or something else.

Removing the drive

Now, you can remove the board assembly out of the case as shown.

The microdrive is connected via a fairly flimsy connector. You will want to gently pry it from the drive.

Reformat the drive

Now I don't understand why you have to format the drive, but you do. The Muvo must have a proprietary file system of some kind. Maybe it has to do with DRM. Anyway, I discovered you can format it either using a Compact Flash reader from your PC, or inside your camera (at least within my Canon S1 IS)

-- MattWalsh - 05 May 2004