USB Music query

[FarNorthJazz]

I have about 3 GB of music tracks on the PC,  and I copy these on to a USB stick to carry in the Jazz

I use a Kingston 64GB USB drive formatted exFAT.   When plugged into the USB socket in the front consol of the Jazz it has worked without problems for many months.

Today,  when I plugged in the USB drive, the audio head unit read "Device not recognised"  and "Unsupported".    I assumed the USB stick had died,  but when I plugged it into the PC it worked fine - it played music and it could read and write music files

I then consulted Google AI which stated that older Jazz models were unhappy with USB drives greater than 32GB and also were not happy with exFAT or NTFS formats - the old FAT32 format was preferred

I had a Toshiba USB drive that was 32GB and FAT32 format,  so I loaded the music tracks on to that, tried it in the Jazz and it worked without any problem.   

I then wiped the Kingston USB drive,  reformatted it as exFAT  (Windows 11 does not have a FAT32 option),  loaded the music back on to it,  tried it in the Jazz and it still would not work.

So,  my query is  - why would the Jazz accept a 64GB USB for months and then stop working quite suddenly when it seems to be otherwise serviceable,  and has anyone else had odd things happen when using a USB drive in their Jazz

[NathanC67]

I have a tiny 64GB stick formatted to FAT32 that I have plugged into the USB slot in the arm rest caddy (Jazz mk3). It's small enough that I am able to close the cover and ignore it.

It is almost full of music which I add to all the time. I've never had a problem with the car reading it.

Research (AI so take with caution) says that the car should be able to cope with 256GB as long as still FAT32. Obviously the more files the longer the lag before it first plays, as the audio system reads the directory structure every time you start the car. But even with my 50GB worth it doesn't take more than 20 seconds or so.

The real limit is apparently the number of folders. AI suggests it might struggle with over 700 folders with some being ignored.

[FarNorthJazz]

Many thanks to NathanC67 for his help

I found an online program that let me bypass Windows 11 and format the Kingston 64GB USB drive to FAT32.

I then loaded all my music on to the drive,  plugged it into the Jazz, and it worked !

So it does look as if the Jazz is quite sensitive to the type of format required,  although why exFAT should have worked for months and failed today,  and then worked again when replaced with FAT32 is just another of these computer mysteries

[jazzaro]

2017 Jazz with 6VH1 unit. My device works fine only with 32gb FAT32 drives, 64gb is slow (some stops while playing songs) and exFAT cannot be read.
Maybe newer units and newer firmwares are better for this issue.

[FarNorthJazz]

Jazzaro  - that is interesting.   The head unit on my October 2018 Jazz is 6VH3,  so a later version than your one

[NathanC67]

How do I find the unit version? I have a 2018 MK3, so would be interesting to know what variations there are.

[FarNorthJazz]

Look at the head unit  -  on the top left hand side,  in extremely small lettering, there is a code number.

[NathanC67]

So in my 2018 Jazz EX I have a 6YH2 head unit.

From poking around the system menus it is running software 0F.095.01.0021 (if that means anything to anyone).

It has no problem with reading a FAT32 64GB stick with around 43GB of music on it (over 7000 tracks).

It does take around 20 seconds to read the directory structure when I start the car, but it's fine after that. No pauses.

The only bad thing is using the track selection for so many files, but I just tend to select random all, and let it get on with it.

[jazzaro]

So in my 2018 Jazz EX I have a 6YH2 head unit.

From poking around the system menus it is running software 0F.095.01.0021 (if that means anything to anyone).

Following this list you have the latest firmware or one of the most recent:

- RC3: Kernel 3.1.10, 09.08C.00.0021/1123,
- RC4: Kernel 3.1.10, 0C.091.01.0021/1123
- RC5: Kernel 3.1.10, 0C.091.01.0021/1123
- RC6: Kernel 3.1.10, 0E.094.00.0021/1123
- RC6.1: Kernel 3.1.10, 0E.094.00.1123ada3s.20161007.221618
- RC7: Kernel 3.1.10, 0F.095.00.0021 or 0F.095.01.1123

AFAIK, till the RC6.1 you can install some android apps, then the system has been locked.

It has no problem with reading a FAT32 64GB stick with around 43GB of music on it (over 7000 tracks).

It does take around 20 seconds to read the directory structure when I start the car, but it's fine after that. No pauses.

The only bad thing is using the track selection for so many files, but I just tend to select random all, and let it get on with it.

Keeping the same style since the first release in 2015 there are several versions with different hardware, i.e. different memory size for map storage. That's why some customers cannot update the Garmin Navi with the most recent map release, too heavy for older units like mine.
About your Kingston pendrive, I would try formatting it and uploading the music again. Better if the folder tree structure is more simple as possible.

[HertsHonda]

Just searched for "limit to the number of files in the root of a USB stick"
Google reply :-"AI Overview -
The root directory of a standard FAT16 or FAT32 USB stick has a fixed limit of 512 total entries, which often translates to a maximum of 512 files or fewer.
Why the Limit Exists - Fixed Root Size: Traditional file systems set aside a specific, non-expandable amount of space for the root directory.
Long File Names: Short 8-character file names (8.3 format) allow the full 512 files."

Not sure to what 'Depth' / Complexity of sub directories (aka Folders) can exist.