Sorry for the long delay in doing this, but the text viewer is fixed, and should no longer have the font width issue.

Just got a response not too long ago from the Sandisk guy - wasn't sure if he had gotten it or not. Here's the responses.

Q: "Could you maybe ask this Sandisk senior support engineer about Rockbox powerconsumption (PortalPlayer)? Maybe he could give the Rockbox community a hint or specific advise?"

A: I don't know anything about PortalPlayer, and I can't really ask about it

Q: What hardware differences (if any) are there between the e200 series and the e200R series.

A: There is no hardware difference between the e200 and the e200r.

Q: "When do they release the view!?"

A: The view is schedule to be released this month, but we are not told an exact date (i've been trying to find out for a while now).

Q: "Will there ever be a new firmware release for [the] e200?"

A: We will be releasing a new e200R firmware towards the end of this year, it will add Micro SDHC support

Note: He didn't mention anything about the e200 firmware, but I'd assume there will be a new firmware release for it as well.

Q: "ask him how to set up usb with rockbox"

A: I also do not know how to set up USB with rockbox, that is something none of us in tech support know. I am trying to find out for you.

Extra: Sorry that I couldn't answer all your questions, but I can only ask engineering so much before they start getting suspicious.

If anyone has any other questions, let me know. Keep in mind, I will filter through all the questions and decide which should be asked.

Sansapatcher 0.5 has been released, as well as v3.0 of the bootloader, which removes all hotswap support from the bootloader. This should fix any problems users are having with booting the OF.
Links:

Linux 32 bit: http://download.rockbox.org/bootloader/sandisk-sansa/sansapatcher/linux32x86/sansapatcher
Linux 64 bit: http://download.rockbox.org/bootloader/sandisk-sansa/sansapatcher/linux64amd64/sansapatcher
Mac OS X: http://download.rockbox.org/bootloader/sandisk-sansa/sansapatcher/macosx/sansapatcher.dmg
Windows: http://download.rockbox.org/bootloader/sandisk-sansa/sansapatcher/win32/sansapatcher.exe

Test_Codec, two Matrix plugins, "splash", and the game "PegBox" have been added to the build. Splash has the backdoor enabled - the select button, but matrix_pass does not. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

I've got some email issues at the moment...the email server I use ended up on a spam blacklist. I'm in the process of moving to another web server, so I'll see how easy it is to move to a new email server as well.

Asking for tips in a (non-SanDisk related) channel on IRC, I came across someone who does Tech Support for SanDisk. While I can't exactly say he's officially from SanDisk, it surely sounds like he is. He asked that I not reveal his identity, since he's not allowed to do support outside of work.

I've masked both his nick and mine, him for the reason stated above, and me because I think I'd get asked quite a few questions on IRC otherwise.

Plain-text version: http://chrisjs.com/Sandisk-IRC.txt

[me] Dunno what kind of SanDisk support you do, but I've heard mixed rumors about whether or not installing Rockbox on the Sansa e200 series voids the warranty. Do you know for sure whether it does?
[Sandisk] Here's the deal with Rockbox
[Sandisk] Installing rockbox will not void the warranty. However, if you brick the Sansa (which is rare) we will not replace it. If you need support, you ahve to put the SanDisk firmware before calling
[Sandisk] So the only thing rockbox can permemently do is brick the Sansa, which is sometimes fixable. Bricking is quite rare however
[Sandisk] If you post on Rockbox forums, you can let everyone know someone from sandisk told you that info, just do not repeat my name. I am not allowed to provide support outside of work
[me] Ok, thanks. Since there's always Pre-boot and Manufacturing mode, is it even possible to brick the Sansa, without hardware modifications?
[me] I just let a few people in #rockbox-community know, but refused to tell them your name
[Sandisk] thanks for keeping my identity quiet
[Sandisk] Theres manufacturing mode and recovery mode
[me] No problem
[Sandisk] Recovery mode is what you would use if you bricked teh Sansa
[Sandisk] Sometimes the Sansa will install firmware wrong, and brick itself, and breaking recovery mode
[me] As long as the bootloader still works, recovery mode works, correct?
[Sandisk] Again, usually
[Sandisk] here is the problem
[Sandisk] We make good products, but at the same time, they do wierd things that they shouldnt
[me] Heh, I can agree with that
[Sandisk] I dont know if its poor construciton, poor coding, or what. But sometimes things dont work like they
should with Sansa's
[Sandisk] Here, do this
[Sandisk] Load rockbox firmware, its honestly way better than ours
REDACTED
[me] Wow...that was unexpected. Actually, I've been using Rockbox for a while, and had helped with getting Rockbox on the e200Rs. Even though testing bootloader modifications, I've yet to permanently brick my Sansa. Thanks for allowing me to email you if I have any problems though
[Sandisk] No prob. As I said, it's rare, but it does happen. You probobly never will, but since I do support, I only hear about things when they break
[me] Ok, thanks. Didn't expect to talk to someone who does Tech Support for SanDisk while in #REDACTED, but hopefully this will help answer a few questions people have asked in the past.
[Sandisk] If you ahve any other questions, don't hesitate to email me. I am a senior tech so I'm usually better support than if you call
[me] Wow, thanks. It was nice talking to you. I'm sure some of the Rockbox developers would enjoy having you help them from time to time, but I respect your request to remain anonymous
[Sandisk] *nods* have a good one, gotta restart
[me] Ok. Thanks again for your time

The build should be fixed now - the problem was one in the most unusual places - apps/plugins/SOURCES. It should be fine to download the latest build now.

There's an issue that could affect my ability to keep this build up to date. Unfortunately, this issue is out of my control. I'm not going into details on the issue, but I am working to ensure that this site stays up to date. Even though the domain expires in about two weeks, I have just finished renewing it, just in case I won't be able to get on. If anyone would like to help with the build (SSH/patching knowledge required) please contact me ASAP, either by emailing me (build@chrisjs.com) or by posting a comment. Since my phone does have internet access, I will be setting up the site to allow me to post from my phone.

While I said "If for some reason something in SVN prevents the build from properly updating, the last working build is what's available for download, and not the broken build." a few hours ago, a broken build is currently listed for download. This was my fault, as the build wasn't updating, and I tried running "make clean". Not running "make clean" is what prevents broken builds from being download-able. For the moment, you can use the 'Old Builds' link on the right to download an older build.

Noticed quite a few people coming from StumbleUpon. Thanks Crash91 for submitting it. Basic run-down of what this build is.

Rockbox is an open source firmware for various mp3 players, including the Sansa e200(R) series, several iPods, and others. The official "build" available on the Rockbox site is updated several times a day, due to the many changes that are made.

Rockbox on the Sansa e200(R) series adds quite a few features. It allows users to view mpeg videos, play music in every major and most minor codecs, view bmp and jpeg images, play games, and more. The only major thing Rockbox can't do is play music that has been encoded with DRM. However, because users can switch between Rockbox and the Original firmware (OF) this usually isn't a major problem.

This build adds several patches to the official Rockbox build, usually adding more features. The features that are added can be seen via the patch list on the right side navigation. While there are roughly five known custom builds for the Sansa, a few advantages about this one is that it isn't based directly on a forum, which would usually require registration to download the build, and it is automatically updated, usually whenever there's an update to the official build. If for some reason something in SVN prevents the build from properly updating, the last working build is what's available for download, and not the broken build.

If anyone has any questions, comments, or would like me to add another patch, you can contact me on IRC (irc.freenode.net, in #rockbox-community), leave a comment here (registration not required), or email me at build@chrisjs.com.