I don't understand why so many of us are having the same problem...

Question

i came on here to post that itunes doesn't recognize my ipod, that it freezes up itunes when i plug it in (even though it doesnt recognize it), that it just stays in 'do not disconnect' mode even when i try to safely remove it, and the only way to disconnect is to turn off the computer or reset a couple of times.
i saw that there are a ton of people on here with the same problem, it seems pretty ridiculous, there is obviously a major problem with the software that so many people are having identical problems.
i tried everything everyone suggested on here- reset, restore (like someone else below, it just freezes the ipod updater program & cannot update OR restore), i did the holding select & previous to get that weird menu but couldn't find the "I/O" selection that was recommended to check the USB port, tried putting it in disk mode to update/restore but still no dice...
does anyone have any SUCCESS stories about getting their ipod fixed with these problems? it is my husband's ipod that is all screwed up & now I'm afraid to plug mine into the computer b/c his hasn't worked correctly since this started- it stops mid song or after playing just one song in a playlist, is making a lot of clicking noises, etc.
i guess the apple store is the only way to go or sending it back????
Thanks!!!!

Answer 1

Buegie:
I think you've missed the point of the original poster's post. There are many people here who have the same issue, and have explained themselves rather well. It would be one thing if the issue involved different error messages (and god forbid Apple provided meaninful messages for anything) or different physical problems or different attempts to solve the problem. I've read a number of these posts, many made within the past week, the majority since about mid-December, and all of them appear to be relatively similar.
Indeed, I am having the same issue, and have been since (as far as I can tell) late-December. My iPod works perfectly normally when not connected to my PC, but as soon as I connect it, iTunes, the iPod software, and even Windows itself will not recognize it as an iPod. The device appears to start normally, then reaches the "Do not disconnect" screen and remains there, causing whichever programs are currently attempting to mount the drive to hang (this includes Explorer and the iPod software). I am unable to stop these programs or unmount the iPod until either a) a timeout is reached or b) I manually disconnect it. I have come here as a last resort before calling Apple, as I have already read many of the support articles and attempted the fixes they provided, with no success. I have read through many posts on this board regarding similar issues, and none of the fixes provided by you or anyone else have been effective.
In short, while your posts may help those who have never diagnosed computer or device problems in the past, or who have not read through Apple's online help area, they are not the absolute answer to everyone's problem, and they are not specific enough to be of any assistance to those who have already narrowed the problem down. In this post in particular, you do little more than assault the original poster for suggesting that perhaps there is some other explanation for the plight of these users. One may be led to believe that you work for Apple and are attempting to cover up a known bug in the software or hardware so as to avoid the mass replacement of devices. While this conclusion is not altogether likely, your attitude and actions do not lead one to believe otherwise.
There could be any number of similarities to bring to light, and posts like yours prevent people from doing so. Perhaps it has something to do with the current version of iTunes, the iPod update software, the iPod service, a patch for Windows, or even dirt in the iPod's data port.
For those of you who are also experiencing the same problems the original poster and I are having, if you have already tried any or all of the following with no success, please reply to this post:
1. Restarting iPod (either connected or not connected to PC)
2. Ensuring that the iPod is fully charged
3. Restarting PC
4. Reinstalling iTunes and/or iPod software
5. Attempting to mount iPod in "Disk Mode"
6. Attempting to mount iPod with iPod service stopped
7. Running diagnostic tests on iPod (on restart, hold Select+Previous to reach diagnostic menu), all of which pass
8. Changing between Firewire and USB cables
9. Changing between Firewire and USB ports which are known to work properly
Thank you.
home built, foo   Windows XP Pro