[dopper99]

Wondering if you guys can help.
I have a problem with the USB audio interface (6FL I think) locking up/freezing. It started playing up after about 2 months of owning the car from brand new. Its been into the dealership for a software update - that didnt fix it. Then they agreed to replace the whole radio/stereo system just after Christmas. All fixed - so I thought - then after 3 weeks its started to freeze again

The symptom is that the music stops - for no reason, the whole radio unit freezes (non-idrive) and cant get any USB or even radio/CD etc for about 2 mins. Then it all starts up again ok.
Now it seems to be failing daily and sometimes after 30 secs of driving down the road. I've checked the bit rates of the MP3's and they are within spec (about 128 I think) and it does not fail on a certain track - seems random on when it fails. I've also tried 3 different USB sticks. Thinking of trying this as a last resort - but very pricy for an 8GB http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuin...item27c0135b3a. And even then it might still play up.

Its driving me mad.

Anyone else had this problem?

Thanks.
Andy

[magic77]

I've had similar issue and its been down to two possible things.

A. the sticks are failing or poor quality-
B the stick is not directly plugged into the socket (dont use a cable)

I personally would not buy USB sticks on ebay I've had honest too make fakes that look perfect until you try to get warranty from the maker.

Best place is amazon I found these work great. I have 16GB and 32GB currently.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-R50...8516798&sr=8-1

Added bonus they fit perfectly in the slot so you can close the armrest.

The other thing is I was given the BMW usb stick that looks like a key for xmas from sister a while back. She bought it direct from dealer (bless her) Turned out its too big to use direct in socket and using a short extention as you get with the car it causes head-unit to lock up. Get the Kingston one from amazon and it should solve you problems, plus a lot damn cheaper

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by magic77

B the stick is not directly plugged into the socket (dont use a cable)

Thats odd? I use the 6 inch BMW supplied extension cable (that came with the car) as most memory sticks are too long to allow the armrest to shut, also the risk of snapping the stick / socket is very high without a cable.

I've used a 64GB kingston stick since day one, no problems, all MP3 at 320kbps CBR (although BMW say 256 max, I have no probs with 320), I can't imagine how terrible 128Kbps must sound!

NOTE: Make sure you fully re-format the stick in FAT32 first, using windows. A lot of sticks come either NTFS or FAT16 or only partially formatted which is no good, anyway its always good practice to re-format new sticks before use.

[magic77]

It seems it really depends on the stick certainly the e90 shape BMW usb key stick does not like the extension cable certainly on my car, and even when running direct in socket thought not really option as armrest want close it kept crashing my radio.

It really depennds on quality of the stick I think and from trying a few the kingsons work really well. The DT r500 is the high speed one so even with 32GB I find it indexs and is ready to play a lot faster then before

[doughboy]

Kingstons are good, I paid £100 for the 64gb in 2009, but they're way cheaper than that now.

With 6000 tracks at 320kbpsCBR taking approx 58GB it works fine for me with the 64GB stick.

I haven't unplugged it from the car in well over a year though, so its weathered roasting summer heat and -14 last winter no problems.

[wayne71]

I had issues with the first USB stick I used, not had a single problem in over 6 months with this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...NQHACEYZE6CK9Q

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by wayne71

I had issues with the first USB stick I used, not had a single problem in over 6 months with this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...NQHACEYZE6CK9Q

Thats the exact same stick I've got - and it locks up with it!!!!!!!!!




Thanks guys for your help. I’ve not tried a Kingstone stick – so that one may work better.

To be honest, I’ve tried 3 different sticks and the dealer changed the radio so I’m starting to suspect the mp3 files themselves.

So after a bit of Googling last night someone had recommended to remove the ID3V2 tags from the files. So I download some free software called Tagscanner and removed all of the tags from the MP3’s. Tried a few tracks on the way to work this morning and none have locked up as yet. However, I need to give it a good week or so to be confident that the problem is fixed.
If that dont work I'll get a Kingstone.

Cheers.
Andy

[dopper99]

That Kingstone looks a better spec than the SanDisk....

Kingstone: 30 MB/s read, 20 MB/s write
SanDisk: 5 MB/s read, 10 MB/s write

Worth the extra cash...

[carl_d]

Try pluging it into a Windows PC and run Error Checking on the USB drive. (Right click, Properties, Tools, Error Checking).

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by carl_d

Try pluging it into a Windows PC and run Error Checking on the USB drive. (Right click, Properties, Tools, Error Checking).

Good idea, cheers for that.
One thing I think I should have done is format the drive too.

[rich1068]

Originally Posted by doughboy

NOTE: Make sure you fully re-format the stick in FAT32 first, using windows. A lot of sticks come either NTFS or FAT16 or only partially formatted which is no good, anyway its always good practice to re-format new sticks before use.

I find they're always FAT32 and the first thing I do is reformat to NTFS

[fat dog]

I've got the professional media pack and sometimes when playing mp3's from the car's hard drive, the whole unit freezes. It's as if I've paused the track but can't get the i drive to do anything without the car re-starting. Happens every couple of weeks or so. Not exactly the same problem as the OP but wonder if both issues are in some way related to the car/software rather than the USB stick or the files themselves.

[xenon]

Originally Posted by fat dog

I've got the professional media pack and sometimes when playing mp3's from the car's hard drive, the whole unit freezes. It's as if I've paused the track but can't get the i drive to do anything without the car re-starting. Happens every couple of weeks or so. Not exactly the same problem as the OP but wonder if both issues are in some way related to the car/software rather than the USB stick or the files themselves.

I get that on the odd occasion too.

[bh021]

I used my usb stick in my 330d, and all the artists were there, but I couldn't shuffle play for all tracks, so I had to pick each individual artist. Is there anyway of shuffling the songs in the entirety ? Not fussed if you can't, I use my iPhone and that sounds fine, but would be easier to put all my music on my stick and leave it in the car

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by rich1068

I find they're always FAT32 and the first thing I do is reformat to NTFS

Defo it should be FAT.

NTFS is a windows file system for a start and BMWs own advice is only to use FAT. FAT32 best for bigger sticks over 2GB.

OP - you'd best format the stick first, any stick should always be formatted, do it first then put your tunes back on it and see.

[dopper99]

Just a quick update on this one....

So removing the ID3V2 tags from the files did not stop them locking up.

However, I think I've found out the problem..... I've noticed that the tracks that lock up are wma files. I've converted a few of them that I know lock up to MP3 and all seems to be ok.

[BanziBarn]

Glad you may have found the cause. These types of problems are a nightmare to resolve.

I had a problem when uploading songs to the internal HDD. It kept crashing. In the end, it turned out to be one particular song which it didn't like. There's no rhyme or reason to these things sometimes, you just have to spend hours fiddling until you work it out!

[dopper99]

Thanks BanziBarn. Yes I thought after having the complete stereo system replaced and still had the fault - assumed it must be something to do with the USB stick or the music itself. I didnt realise it would be something as obivous as the file type