Click Wheel Totally Messed Up

I've had my iPod mini (2nd generation) since late May of this year. About three months ago, the click wheel started to not respond very well. I messed around with it a little and reset it a few times and it worked fine.
But then about 1 month ago, it started to do the same thing, accept worse. And now when I try to scroll down the songs, it either doesn't respond or freaks out and keeps going from one song/cattegory on the list to another. When I finally get it to my songs, I can press forward about a billion times to get to the song I want, but that's about the only way it will work.
The songs play fine, and everything else works fine, besides the click wheel. Oh yes, and the screen in kind-of broken like.. on the inside... but that isn't my main concern. I've never dropped it either, it just gets knocked around a little in my purse. Please, if anybody has/had this problem or knows what to do or where to take it, besides sending it in to an Apple store, I could really use some advice!
Thanks!

I just sent my iPod into apple which i was not happy about because it means that i don't have my Ipod for 2-4 weeks!!! and there are no guarantees that it will work again which stinks but in your case i would sent it to apple it could be better in the long run! Good Luck!!! because right now im not at all happy with my iPod either!!
~Katie~

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Click Wheel Totally Unresponsive

My friend gave me his iPod in the hopes that I'd fix it again. This time, the problem was not the normal freeze, reset and restore process. He said it froze, but when the iPod is connected to a power outlet or my computer, the backlight still functions and the Do Not Disconnect screen came up. As soon as I safely ejected the iPod, I tried scrolling, like I did when it "froze." Still no response. Is there anything else I can do with it? I don't know if a restoration will work, and I'm about to try that now. It seems as if the click wheel on his U2 Special Edition 40GB iPod "photo" has gone totally unresponsive.
5G 60GB Video iPod, 4G 20GB iPod, 1G 4GB iPod mini, and Tunes 6!! YAY!! Windows XP Music library: 2505 items, 7:18:28:38 total time, 12.64 GB

If you're having trouble, try these steps at different levels one at a time until the issue is resolved. These steps will often whip your iPod back into shape.
Make sure you do all the following “TRYs”
A. Try to wait 30 minutes while iPod is charging.
B. Try another FireWire or USB through Dock Connector cable.
C. Try another FireWire or USB port on your computer .
D. Try to disconnect all devices from your computer's FireWire and USB ports.
E. Try to download and install the latest version of iPod software and iTunes
http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
F. Try these five steps (known as the five Rs) and it would conquer most iPod issues.
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/
G. Try to put the iPod into Disk Mode if it fails to appear on the desktop
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93651
If none of these steps address the issue, you may need to go to Intermediate level listed below in logical order. Check from the top of the lists to see if that is what keeping iPod from appearing on your computer in order for doing the Restore.
Intermediate Level
A. Try to connect your iPod with another computer with the iPod updater pre-installed.
B. Still can’t see your iPod, put it in Disk Mode and connect with a computer, instead of doing a Restore on iPod Updater. Go and format the iPod instead.
For Mac computer
1. Open the disk utility, hope your iPod appears there (left hand side), highlight it
2. Go to Tab “Partition”, click either “Delete” or “Partition”, if fails, skip this step and go to 3
3. Go to Tab “Erase” , choose Volume Format as “MAC OS Extended (Journaled), and click Erase, again if fails, skip it and go to 4
4. Same as step 3, but open the “Security Options....” and choose “Zero Out Data” before click Erase. It will take 1 to 2 hours to complete.
5. Eject your iPod and do a Reset
6. Open the iPod Updater and click “Restore”
For Window computer
Go to folder “My Computer”
Hope you can see your iPod there and right click on the iPod
Choose “Format”. Ensure the settings are at “Default” and that “Quick Format” is not checked
Now select “Format”
Eject your iPod and do a Reset
Open the iPod Updater and click “Restore”
In case you do not manage to do a “Format” on a window computer, try to use some 3rd party disk utility software, e.g.“Partition Magic”.
C. Windows users having trouble with their iPods should locate a Mac user. In many cases when an iPod won't show up on a PC that it will show up on the Mac. Then it can be restored. When the PC user returns to his computer the iPod will be recognized by the PC, reformatted for the PC, and usable again. By the way, it works in reverse too. A Mac user often can get his iPod back by connecting it to a PC and restoring it.
Tips
a. It does not matter whether the format is completed or not, the key is to erase (or partly) the corrupted firmware files on the Hard Drive of the iPod. After that, when the iPod re-connected with a computer, it will be recognized as an fresh external hard drive, it will show up on the iPod updater.
b. It is not a difficult issue for a Mac user to find a window base computer, for a PC user, if they can’t find any Mac user, they can go to a nearest Apple Shop for a favor.
c. You may need to switch around the PC and Mac, try to do several attempts between “Format” and “Restore”
Advance Level
A. Diagnostic mode solution
If you have tried trouble shooting your iPod to no avail after all the steps above, chances are your iPod has a hardware problem. The iPod's built-in Diagnostic Mode is a quick and easy way to determine if you have a "bad" iPod.
You need to restart your iPod before putting it into Diagnostic Mode. Check that your hold switch is off by sliding the switch away from the headphone jack. Toggle it on and off to be safe.
Press and hold the following combination of buttons simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds to reset the iPod.
iPod 1G to 3G: "Menu" and "Play/Pause"
iPod 4G+ (includes Photo, Nano, Video, and Mini): "Menu" and "Select"
The Apple logo will appear and you should feel the hard drive spinning up. Press and hold the following sequence of buttons:
iPod 1G to 3G: "REW", "FFW" and "Select"
iPod 4G+ (includes Photo, Nano, Video, and Mini): "Back" and "Select"
You will hear an audible chirp sound (3G models and higher) and the Apple logo should appear backwards. You are now in Diagnostic Mode. Navigate the list of tests using "REW" and "FFW". The scroll wheel will not function while in diagnostic mode. For further details on Diagnostic mode can be found at http://www.methodshop.com/mp3/ipodsupport/diagnosticmode/
Try to do the 5in1, HDD R/W and HDD scan tests. Some successful cases have been reported after the running the few tests under the Diagnostic mode. In case it does not work in your case, and the scan tests reports show some errors then it proves your iPod has a hardware problem and it needs a repairing service.
B. Format your iPod with a start disk
I have not tried this solution myself, I heard that there were few successful cases that the users managed to get their iPod (you must put your iPod in disk mode before connecting with a computer) mounted by the computer, which was booted by a system startup disk. For Mac, you can use the Disk Utility (on the Tiger OS system disk), for PC user, you can use the window OS system disk. Try to find a way to reformat your iPod, again it does not matter which format (FAT32, NTFS or HFS+) you choose, the key is to erase the corrupted system files on the iPod. Then eject your iPod and do a Reset to switch out from Disk Mode. Reboot your computer at the normal way, connect your iPod back with it, open the iPod updater, and hopefully your iPod will appear there for the Restore.
If none of these steps address the issue, your iPod may need to be repaired.
Consider setting up a mail-in repair for your iPod http://depot.info.apple.com/ipod/
Or visit your local Apple Retail Store http://www.apple.com/retail/
In case your iPod is no longer covered by the warranty and you want to find a second repairing company, you can try iPodResQ at your own risk
http://www.ipodresq.com/index.php
Just in case that you are at the following situation
Your iPod warranty is expired
You don’t want to pay any service charges
You are prepared to buy a new one
You can’t accept the re-sell value of your broken iPod
Rather than leave your iPod as paper-weight or throw it away.
You can try the following, but again, only do it as your last resort and at your own risk.
Warning ! – It may or may not manage to solve your problem, and with a risk that you may further damage your iPod, which end up as an expensive paper weight or you need to pay more higher repairing cost. Therefore, please re-consider again whether you want to try the next level
Last Resort Level
1. . Disconnecting the Hard Drive and battery inside the iPod – Warning !! Your iPod warranty will be waived once you open the iPod.
In Hong Kong there are some electronic shops offering an iPod service for Sad iPod, the first thing they do is to open up the iPod’s case and disconnecting the battery and the Hard Drive from the main board of the iPod. Wait for 5-10 minutes and reconnecting them back. The reason behind which I can think of is to do a fully reset of a processor of the iPod. In case you want do it itself and you believe that you are good on fixing the electronics devices and have experience to deal with small bits of electronic parts, then you can read the following of how to open the iPod case for battery replacement (with pictures)
http://www.kokopellimusic.us/KM_instructions.htm
Have I tried this myself? No, I am afraid to do it myself as I am squeamish about tinkering inside electronic devices, I have few experiences that either I broke the parts (which are normally tiny or fragile) or failed to put the parts back to the main case. Therefore, I agree with suggestion to have it fixed by a Pro.
2. Do a search on Google and some topics on this discussion forum about “Sad iPod”
What should I do with my iPod? Send it or keep it?
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=469080&tstart=0
Strange error on iPod (probably death)
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=435160&start=0&tstart=0
Sad Face on iPod for no apparent reason
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=336342&start=0&tstart=0
Meeting the Sad iPod icon
http://askpang.typepad.com/relevanthistory/2004/11/meeting_thesad.html#comment-10519524
Sad faced iPod, but my computer won’t recognize it?
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2236095#2236095
iPod Photo: unhappy icon + warranty question
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2233746#2233746
4th Gen iPod Users - are we all having the same problem?
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2235623#2235623
Low Battery, and clicking sounds
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2237714#2237714
Sad faced iPod, but my computer won’t recognize it
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2242018#2242018
Sad iPod solution
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=412033&tstart=0
I am not suggesting that you should follow as well, but just read them as your reference. You are the person to make the call.

TS1425 OK so I finally got it to turn on but now the click wheel is messed up.

The click wheel isn't working now. I already tried what Apple put up but it didn't work. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Dean Winchester

Try here:
iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
If yu can't turn it off, then let the battery fully drain. After charging for at least an hour try again.
If still not successful that indicates a hardware problem and service is required.

TS1425 Click wheel is totally unresponsive even after restarting & flipping the hold switch on & off

Click wheel totally responsive no matter what I try...any suggestions?

You can work through the remaining five 5 R's of troubleshooting.
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/
It might also be a good idea to let the iPod's battery fully drain. Then charge it back up and restore it once more in iTunes.
Otherwise, it's likely a hardware issue with the iPod's clickwheel, meaning you'll need to take or send your iPod in for service either via Apple or a third party repair service. Here is Apple's repair pricing.
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/service/prices/
Note that they don't actually repair the device, but exchange it for one of the same generation, model, and capacity. A third party service will actually replace the damage part for a little less. Google "iPod repair" and you should get a number of results to work with.
B-rock

Unresponsive click wheel

I just got a my old ipod replaced after almost 2 years of use. The old one had a back light probelm. So after about a week without an ipod my "new" aka refurbished unit came in. Not even one day into using it, the click wheel is messed up. I can get a response (the backlight comes on) from switching the hold switch on and back off but the click wheel doesn't work. Sometimes it will work fine and just stop. It will stop working for days at a time. I live a good distance from the apple store and hence the genius bar and im sick of wasting gas driving there and back, so if anyone knows how to fix this problem please share.
I know it's the click wheel because it responds through the bottom port thing. (I can plug it in my iHome and play it through that and use the remote to the iHome on it)
What I have tried:
soft reset
charge (short and long times)
plugging into computer
updating ipod software
updating itunes
cleaning the wheel
My suggestion to people with minor problems is just keep your old ipod because apple obviously gives you a piece of junk for a replacement ipod.

I have a very similar problem. When listening to a song i can't immediately change the volume, I have to press a button to "wake it up." It does the same thing in the menus and won't even allow me to play the music quiz game. I plan on taking it to the Apple store to talk to a Mac genius because the site doesn't offer much help.. and neither do I sorry good luck though, I know how you feel.
eMac Mac OS X (10.2.x)

IPod Mii Click Wheel HELP!!

my click wheel is messed upit wasnt skipping song and now it does but does not scroll i cant move the section so i cant choose songs or change the volume... it dodnt work so i pulled it out and no change..any suggestion plz

Hi and welcome.
Follow the instructions here to Reset an iPod with a Click Wheel
Hope that helps...
Carolyn

Click wheel messed up!!

i just got my "new" ipod mini yesterday, and now my click wheel doesn't work. the menu buttom doen't worked either, and i cant turn up/down the volume. WHATS THE DEAL!

Send or take it back for an exchange. And this is the 5th Gen IPOD forum. If you purchased on line contact Apple Care.
http://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/ipodisight.html

My IPOD CLICK WHEEL IS ALL MESSED UP

Sorry for the caps but this is killing me. My I Pod first started pausing randomly when playing songs, then that problem went away, now the click wheel wont respond so i cant use any feature(It actually will work once in a while for a bit, then it will stop again)I have reset it many times and have even done a full restore, I havent dropped it, or got it wet, the only thing different i was doing is running it for a longer time(as a stereo at a bar), any body else have this problem??? anyone now how to fix it??
PC Windows XP

Try this: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?cc=us&docname=c00273943&lc=en

IPod 40 gb click wheel completely dead!

I bought an iPod (40gb click wheel) in September 2004 for the grand sum of £299 – so it isn’t even 2 years old! It has totally died. Firstly in June it refused to be identified by my Dell computer; then it corrupted a part of the software in my computer which identifies my DVD/CD drive. I had that fixed by Dell – thank goodness it didn’t do any further damage! As a result of not being recognised by my computer I was unable to add additional tunes to it. The iPod was still working but then started to make lots of noises. It then stopped working altogether and produced the folder with!. I phoned the support line in early July and was told that there are several articles on the web site which could help – I followed the recommendations and it still continued to try to re-boot itself. I was also told that getting it fixed would cost me £166 as the one year warranty had run out !!!! (Surely it should last longer than that – also I can buy something new which is more reliable for less than that!) The last stage was the final appearance of the apple logo, a black screen and now it is completely dead. It refuses to charge up with the battery and I’m absolutely livid. It doesn’t warrant being fixed. I hearby plan to return this lump of rubbish to Apple as I was on the verge of throwing it away but didn’t want to pollute the environment with whatever nasties lie within.

I've got the same problem mate. The clickwheel started to ge dead in places like around skip forward track area, (which was annoying to say the least.) But the other day it completely died, now it tries to start up showing the apple logo, then you can hear inside the hardrive spin up then a loud click then it tries this again about 5 times before showing the support website.
Ive probably had the ipod for about 2 years.
Annyoing since its a 40gb ipod and i've barely filled up 13gb. I might take it into see what the shop says but i sort of know its gonna be not worth repairing. Plus the video ipods are looking really good.

My older model ipod (click wheel) no longer works with my BOSE player. Help!

My older model ipod (click wheel) no longer works with my BOSE player. Help!

that bump knocked the docking port and messed with the click wheel, that is not covered with the warranty
if you call apple it will be an out of warranty repair in this case

Using the click wheel quickly pulls up a letter...but the WRONG LETTER

OK, this is funny and somewhat topical. I am afraid it is a predecessor to future problems though.
When using the click wheel rapidly in song selection we all know that letter pop up to help you scroll quicker. Well, the series of letters for me goes something like this:
A B T B C D E T E F G H T H I J K L T L...you get the idea. Yes, it repeats the letter "T" over and over.
Does anyone have any ideas about this? I have reset the iPod, but am leary about restoring it because I have 45 episodes of The Office and 6700 songs to mess with.
Windows XP Pro

I am going to post, no so much an answer, but an observation. Here is what I noticed. The letter 'T' pulls up whenever there is the word "the" in the title. So, I am thinking that with the new iTunes, it updates the iPod not to recognize the word "the" when alphabetizing, but it recognizes the letter 'T' when scrolling.
Example: Bananarama - Venus would come first, then the next song is The Band - Acadian Driftwood. So, Band comes after Bananarama if you omit the word "the", but the letters recognize the 'T' in the. Make Sense?
Anyone have any thoughts on this? Does anyone know where I can tell Apple about it?
Apple needs a section that we can click on called "stupid things we seem to overlook" and then fill out opinions on dumb screwed up options like this.

Click wheel doesnot work...

So basically I took apart my ipod video 30 gig(no warranty left on it anyways) because the centre button on the click wheel was stuck. I followed all precautions and put it back together properly. Next thing I know I turn on the iPod by clicking on the centre button, it powers up fine and goes to the list of options i.e."music, videos, settings, etc. But when I go to scroll or click on the center button again none of these work, the iPod doesn't respond, and after 15 seconds the backlight fades as usual. The only way I can get the backlight back on is to flick the hold switch on and off. When the iPod goes to sleep I can wake it with the center button, but that is the only time the center button works.
I took apart my iPod to recheck everything. Everything is where it should be. I used a anti-static wristband.
I don't understand. someone have the same problem?
Message was edited by: perplexed_one

If it scrolls, but not clicks, then you have damaged the buttons on the motherboard. The iPod's buttons are on there, so to fix you'd need to totally replace it. The click-wheel works on a separate circuit to the buttons, so would remain unaffected.
Thanks
Mark
<Edited by Host>

Click wheel no longer works unless iPod is docked

I have a 4th-gen iPod nano that was accidentally bumped with a ladder while it was seated in a stereo that has the iPod slot. The leg of the ladder whacked the top of the iPod where it was sticking out of the player/boombox.
The screen is OK. Shake shuffle still works. There's no external evidence of damage. The click wheel can be used to turn the iPod on just fine. But once the iPod is on, the click wheel does not respond.
If you put the iPod back in the boombox slot, the click wheel will work again.
I think maybe what happened is that the circuit board got separated further from the click wheel on the top surface and so it's not able to make contact (or good "non-contact," if that makes sense) anymore. Maybe that's why it will still work in the boombox, but not when you have it out of the boombox. An iPod that's not portable just isn't as much fun.
Can this be fixed?

that bump knocked the docking port and messed with the click wheel, that is not covered with the warranty
if you call apple it will be an out of warranty repair in this case

HT5367 Does anyone know if I can download this version of Java - for OS X 2012-005 - the new Java update is a total mess and it is preventing me from working... need to go back :-(

Does anyone know if I can download this version of Java - for OS X 2012-005 - the new Java update is a total mess for me and is preventing me from working remotely... :-( really need to go back to older Java, don't have the Time Machine set up ... Thx

I wonder if it's a variation of this, of which I've seen many different symptoms...
http://km.support.apple.com/library/APPLE/APPLECARE_ALLGEOS/TS4135/TS4135_01-osx _1072-login_window-001-en.png
Resolution
Move the mouse or trackpad cursor over the center area of the login window so you can see the user icons. Click on the icon of the user that you would like to login as, type in the user's password, and press Return.
If the login window is configured to show only the name and password fields, type in the user's name and password into the fields, and press Return (even if you cannot see the rest of the login window).
Additional Information
This issue will not occur if the display is not sleeping when the account is logged out. Use the steps below to confirm that the account is not configured to log out automatically while the display is sleeping:
Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. Click the padlock to unlock the preference pane and enter your admin password. Click the Advanced button at the bottom, then see if the option "Log out after N minutes of inactivity" (where N is the number of minutes) is enabled.
Open System Preferences > Energy Saver and configure Display Sleep to occur after the account is logged out, by dragging the slider to a number of minutes that is greater than N was set to in the previous step.
Important: If automatic log out is not needed, disable "Log out after Nminutes of inactivity" in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. This will also prevent the issue.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4135?viewlocale=en_US

5G click wheel MIDDLE BUTTON STUCK!!!

WOW. i mean i just got my new 60GB black video ipod from the store.
i played with it a bit after transfering all my data onto it.
then the middle button got stuck inside!
its surrounded by the click wheel, and its sunken in.
i have tried to push it back up anyway i could find, but using needles is hard. and it's screwing my brand new ipod, which looks bad right now.
i am too **** far to go back to the store now... [really far!]
never heard of this problem... any ideas ???

Actually you are not the first. The same thing happened to my 4th generation 20gig. About 7 months after I got it. The middle button still worked but was stuck down. It caused some stange behaviors when I would navigate the iPod and when I finally got tired of dealing with it I took it to the Apple Store and they replaced it on the spot. As long as it's still covered don't mess with it, just bring it back.

Click Wheel Totally Messed Up

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