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Question

WAV file is corrupted/not playing

Mar 15, 2017 10:04AM PDT

I made a recording on a voice recorder and I listened to it using Windows Media Player. When I tried putting it on a flashdrive, it said the file was corrupted and couldn't be moved. It was a 34 minute file, but now when I try to play it, it's less than a second. When I look at the file properties and details, it still says the file is 34 minutes, but it is not the case when I try to open it in Audacity or VLC player. I'm not sure what to do, how it happened, or how to fix it.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Did you...
Mar 15, 2017 11:13AM PDT

....change the file's name, adjust it's properties, or change the file extension? Have you tried to copy to another folder on the computer, or only to the flashdrive?

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I did...
Mar 16, 2017 11:49AM PDT

I did change the name and somehow a duplicate recording that also didn't work appeared. I did not adjust properties or change file extensions. It would not copy anywhere because it kept saying the file was corrupted and couldn't be copied. I have a Dell Inspiron 15 model P28F running Windows 8, if that's relevant at all.

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what is this recorder?
Mar 16, 2017 4:47PM PDT

I'm wondering if you are running into some file protection scheme, or the recorder using some proprietary format but with a common file ending.

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I used this
Mar 17, 2017 12:52PM PDT

I used this recorder: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FDBDHRS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It says it produces WAV files. I think maybe the recorder is faulty now? I had no problems the first few times I plugged it in (I've had this few two months now), but now sometimes when I plug it in, after about 30 seconds, it says the device is corrupted/not recognized and auto ejects it. But other times its fine indefinitely. I haven't been able to figure out rhyme or reason as to why. All the other audio files are fine when I try to play them on the computer, just this one is an issue. I listened to it once and it was fine. Then I tried to change the name, and ever since then I've been having issues with the device and the file.

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May have to go old school
Mar 17, 2017 1:11PM PDT

Play it on the device and re-record it on something else. Then with this saved you can check out the product manual for resets and formatting.

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maybe changing the file name...
Mar 17, 2017 10:48PM PDT

...created a problem in the Meta Data in the wave file, and that's why it refuses to play. Download Audacity and see if it can play the file.

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Answer
Do you still have the original?
Mar 15, 2017 11:03AM PDT

And does it play?

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Yes I still have the original
Mar 16, 2017 11:45AM PDT

The original file that is saved on the voice recorder plays on the recorder, but doesn't play when I click it on my computer. My computer said the recorder was corrupted a few times, but it stopped saying that now.

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So there is no working copy on any PC?
Mar 16, 2017 11:57AM PDT

Then back to the voice recorder company to ask how to transfer it.

-> To me I'll say forget all this. Press play and record it on your PC using a microphone.... Old school.