Music Centre for PC not loading/crashing

[70fourears]

I own a Sony Walkman NW-A45 and have installed Sony's Music Centre for PC on two PC's - one running Windows 10 and the other running Windows 7.

On Windows 10, the programme opens with a message reading 'contents not found'. I've used the 'menu - import folder' option in an attempt to load music files and nothing happens. I'm therefore unable to load music into my Walkman using the programme. I've found that I can copy and paste files onto the Walkman via Windows, but the files are loaded without the properties needed to use the SenseMe function on the device correctly. I've uninstalled/re-installed the programme both with and without PC restarts and the problem remains - 'contents not found'.

On Windows 7, the programme opens and I'm able to use it to acquire the properties needed to use SenseMe before the programme itself regularly crashes after 4- 5 minutes. I then receive a Windows error message reminding me that the programme has stopped working correctly.

I've been in touch with Sony customer services and the 'solution' is to 'try installing Music Centre for PC on another Windows 10 PC'. This isn't really very realistic - I mean how many PC's do you think I can afford?

With an older Sony NWZ-A15 Walkman, the SenseMe analysis is carried out on the device itself which negates the need for acquiring properties on either Media Go or Music Centre for PC. With the newer NW-A45 this is not possible - the player requires properties to be added via the programme before the SenseMe function will work correctly.

Does anyone have any advice on how I'm able to get Music Centre for PC working correctly using on either of my two PC's?

[Sean_Mc]

Hi there,

I'm looking into this and will update the thread if I find a solution.  In the meantime, perhaps another member of the community may be able to offer some help.

Best wishes,

Sean Mc

[Vanilla_]

Hi 70fourears, 

I think it could be with the firmware version of the Walkman. Have you checked if it's running the latest version? You can check the latest version here: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/digital-music-players-nw-nwz-a-series/nw-a45

I'd also suggest that you reset the Walkman by pressing the power button for 8 seconds and test if this makes any difference.

Regards,

Vanilla_

[70fourears]

Thanks for your reply - I've checked and my firmware is shown as 1.10. The link you sent indicates that this is the most up to date available. Unfortunately, the problem I'm having with the programme not loading and/or crashing takes place whether the player is connected or not.

I've contacted customer support and their view is that it's the fault of my PC's (yes, both of them) rather than their software. A very bland reply which suggests that 'we're right, you're wrong and that's it'.

I suppose I'll just have to forget about using the SenseMe function on the player until someone at Sony finally acknowledges the problem here.

[70fourears]

Thanks, I'm still having the same problem with Music Centre for PC. Sony customer support have been about as useful as an inflatable dartboard.

[Vanilla_]

Hi again,

I've been looking into this here, but I can't see that this is a common problem with other users, which indicates that the problem could be with the operating system you're using. Are you using the same system requirements listed here: https://musiccenter.sony.net/en/downloads/?

Vanilla_

[70fourears]

Thanks for your reply.

I've checked the link and found that for Windows 7, I need SP1 or later. My PC is shown as Windows 7 Home SP1 2009 and Music Centre for PC opens, displays music I've previously imported but when connecting the Walkman and using the 'apply properties' option, the programme runs but crashes after 4 - 5 minutes of doing so.

For Windows 10, I need Home / Pro (April 2018 Update (version 1803) or later). My laptop is shown as Windows 10 Home 2019. On the laptop, Music Centre for PC opens, displays a message reading 'loading' before then displaying a message reading 'contents not found'. This happens whether the Walkman is connected or not. I've tried using 'menu - file - import folder' which should then display my music folders stored in 'Windows - My Music' but nothing happens. That is, Music Centre for PC remains inert, with no spinning blue Windows circle showing any activity taking place.

As far as I can see, my operating systems are both compliant with what is shown as required on the link. It may or may not be connected to the firewall on my PC security, although I had no alerts from the security programme on either PC when installing Music Centre for PC. I'll try adjusting it to see what happens.

[Blueboi898]

I'm having the same problem, Music Center was working fine until I upgraded to Windows 10.

[70fourears]

I've given up on it - both on Windows 10 and Windows 7.

I opened it up recently on my Windows 7 PC and it ended up not only crashing again, but caused the PC a number of problems (overheating, a loud humming noise, other programmes slowing down) which led to me having to restart the PC itself to free it from Music Centre's negative effects.

Which unfortunately means I'm unable to use the 'SenseMe' function on my NW-A45 correctly but I'm sure I'll be able to live with this. Sad to say, but it seems to me that Sony aren't interested in improving Music Centre to compete with other, more user-friendly media players.

[drmikehumble73]

Having same issue on Samsung Notebook 7, latest windows version.  The Music Center app will open, and it starts importing music but doesn't really because within a minute I get "app stopped working.  Do you want to close app or wait"

I used it about a year ago and liked it but I guess I'll have to move on to MusicBee now....