Did I brick my 3rd gen iPod?

3rd gen iPod, five years old, batt's dead but it works fine when plugged in...until now.
I tried to sync it to my iTunes (it hadn't been done in awhile and I had tons of new songs for it) and it locked up before finally ejecting itself. Now all I get is the Apple logo over and over, whether it's plugged into my Macbook or the wall.
Please help, I love my ancient old iPod and I don't want it to die.

I'd like to provide the magic fix, but if Disk Utility does not see the iPod's hard drive (in Disk Mode) and the iPod does not get to its screen menu, it is likely that the iPod's hard drive has become faulty. Most broken +hard drive+ iPods are broken because of the hard drive, and yours lasted a long time.
If you want to try opening the iPod up, you can try a few more thing.
Open the iPod and disconnect the battery for a few minutes. Then reconnect the battery and see if it starts up normally to its screen menu.
If that does not help, disconnect the battery again. This time, also disconnect the hard drive. There are two connection points between the hard drive and the logic board. Disconnect them both and inspect the connections for any corrosion (especially the one at the logic board). Then reconnect the connections firmly, reconnect the battery, and see if it works.
Be very careful opening the iPod. You have to use those plastic tools that come with replacement batteries. Using metal tools like screwdriver will damage the case badly. There is a delicate ribbon cable that connects the two sides of the case, at the top left corner (looking at the iPod from the front). It is very easily damaged, so if possible, leave it connected.
Here is a helpful guide.
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPod/iPod-3rd-Generation/92
Tip: Start at the top edge, because there are no clips there. Work to the right and down the right side. It should pop open along the right side. Carefully open it from the right side, like opening a book. Again, be careful with the ribbon cable and connector at the top left corner; don't yank it open there.

Similar Messages

MMX won't work on 3rd gen ipod touch

I just bought Mega Man X from i-tunes. I synced my 8gb 3rd gen ipod touch and get a messge on itunes saying my phone software is not compatible. I amusing 4.2.1 which is the newest version for my ipod touch and it says compatible with ipod touch 3rd gen on the side of the app store.

You do not have a 3rd gen ipod. Apple did not make a 3rd gen ipod touch in 8GB.
Sorry
Identifying iPod models

Nothing is working on my 3rd gen ipod touch but the home button. It's not sliding or anything. I've tried resetting and restoring it. Did not work

Nothing is working on my 3rd gen ipod touch but the home button. It's not sliding or anything. I've tried resetting and restoring it. Did not work

Try:
- iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
- Also try DFU mode after try recovery mode
How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
- If not successful and you can't fully turn the iOS device fully off, let the battery fully drain. After charging for an least an hour try the above again.
- Try another cable
- Try on another computer
- If still not successful that usually indicates a hardware problem and an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store is in order.
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

I have a 3rd gen iPod touch and I downloaded the most recent itunes, ever since I did, only the first song syncs to the ipod. As soon as it gets to the second, it xtill says its syncing. However, nothing happens. How do I fix this?

I have a 3rd gen iPod touch and I downloaded the most recent itunes, ever since I did, only the first song syncs to the ipod. As soon as it gets to the second, it still says its syncing. However, nothing happens. How do I fix this? I have restored and updated the ipod. I have the new iTunes. I have restarted my computer checked the connection and everything.

Try:
- Reset the iOS device. Nothing will be lost
Reset iOS device: Hold down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time for at
least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Unsync all music and resync
- Reset all settings
Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset All Settings.
All your preferences and settings are reset. Information (such as contacts and calendars) and media (such as songs and videos) aren’t affected.
- Restore from backup. See:
iOS: How to back up
- Restore to factory settings/new iOS device.

Transferred itunes library from Windows XP PC to new Windows 7 PC. plugged in 3rd gen Ipod. Ipod icon appears along with playlists, music etc. Songs are grayed out and won't play. Please help!

I recently transferred itunes library from windows XP PC to new Windows 7 PC. The transfer was successful, however when I plug my 3rd gen Ipod Nano into the new PC, the Ipod icon appears along with the music, playlists, etc. The songs are shown but are 'grayed out' and wont play or sync.The 'Devices & Printers' window in new PC shows icon for Ipod driver & is OK. The icon for the Ipod appears but depicts a delta shaped warning icon that states that the Ipod is'not operating properly'. Tried troubleshooting. The troubleshooting message states the the Ipod is 'disconnecting'. Can you help me with this problem?

Then, I dropped the entire itunes file from the old PC (XP) into an empty external drive.
That "itunes file from the old PC"? Is that the iTunes folder, from the old PC, that was in the user home folder's Music folder?
All of the library, playlists, etc. from the ipod as they always have been are shown, by they are 'grayed out' and will not open or play.
That's on the iPod, correct? Are all of your old playlists in iTunes, from the old PC, still there in iTunes on the new PC? Are the songs in iTunes still playable?
This document provides the steps to transfer a complete iTunes library between two computers. See the section called External drive.
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer - Apple Support
There are many steps, but this is a summary. (1) On the old PC, consolidate all of your iTunes data into the iTunes folder. (2) Copy this iTunes folder to the external drive. (3) On the new PC (that has iTunes installed but NOT running), replace its existing iTunes folder with the one from the old PC (on the external drive). When you run iTunes, it uses the iTunes folder from the old PC, and it should look like iTunes on the old PC (with all the playlists, ratings, play count, etc.), and your iPod will see the iTunes library as the same iTunes library (because it is the same library).
If you did something different, and the old PC is still accessible, you may want to try it using the method from the linked document.

How do I sync my 3rd gen ipod touch after installing the latest version of itunes?

How do I sync my 3rd gen ipod touch after installing the latest version of itunes?

Correction: Thank you FoxFifth for the good information. I did find this information earlier before landing here in the support community. I have come to the end and I am uncertain about trying to reset my I-pod touch to the factory settings. I was satisfied with the older version of i-tunes. Can someone direct me how to downgrade i-tunes perhaps?

3rd Gen. iPod -- can't mount with FireWire, can't restore

When my 3rd gen. iPod is plugged into an Apple computer by USB, it mounts but it won't charge. When it's plugged in by Firewire, it charges but won't mount.
When it's plugged into a Windows computer by Firewire, it charges but won't mount. When it's plugged in by USB, it doesn't charges and doesn't mount.
This was tested using multiple cords with the same results.
The problem seems to be with the software currently installed on my iPod. But I cannot restore the software in OS X, because the iPod won't mount with Firewire (which is necessary for a restore). And I can't restore it in Windows because it won't mount at all (I think it's because I originally formatted it on an Apple).
What can I do?

I am having the same problem with my 3rd generation iPod. I've made several posts here just to discover MANY more with the same problem.
I did get one reply that was helpful:
There is a cable available through the apple store
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/2.RSLID?mco=5 2A56EB0&nplm=M9688G%2FA
It plugs into the bottom of your iPod and has two cords: 1 firewire and 1 USB. Plug both cables in to their respective ports and you have a fully functioning iPod.
This is a klunky fix but it works and is cheaper than a new iPod.
I'm guessing that the June update screwed up the way our iPods communicate to their host computers, knocking out firewire.
Two years ago I had a 1st generation iPod that crashed after an update. Fortunately I had an extended warranty and was able to get a new one at no charge. Interestingly, there was another update that would have fixed the older iPod. I'm hoping for another update like that.
I can hardly believe that Apple would be so sinister as to sabotage everyones iPods in order to get them to buy new ones but it sure feels like it.
It looks like its time for a sixth 'R' !
Thanks!
Mirror Doors G4 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Why is the syncing so slow when I sync my 3rd gen iPod touch?

I am currently syncing my 3rd gen iPod touch to the newest version of iTunes. It is still "backing up the iPod" and it is still not done after 15 minutes. Is it because of my computer (windows 7 64-bit) or is it because I am syncing alot of things/items (apps, movies, music)? Or is it another problem?

Correction: Thank you FoxFifth for the good information. I did find this information earlier before landing here in the support community. I have come to the end and I am uncertain about trying to reset my I-pod touch to the factory settings. I was satisfied with the older version of i-tunes. Can someone direct me how to downgrade i-tunes perhaps?

How do I format my 3rd gen iPod Shuffle to use HFS format?

How do I format my 3rd gen iPod Shuffle to use HFS format?
I tried restoring from iTunes and I did not see any option to format it in HFS. After restore, the iPod is still using FAT32. I used the Disk Utility in 10.6.2 to format it in HFS. But, iTunes told me that I cannot use the iPod and forced me to do a restore, which formatted my iPod back in FAT32.
Is HFS not supported any more? I really do not like to use FAT32.
Thanks for your help.

iPods do not get infected.
Even if it did, plugging an "infected" iPod into a Mac would have no affect on the Mac.
I expected support for HFS+.
Bummer.
Previous generation shuffles did have that support.
All iPod shuffles have only been FAT32 as formatted by iTunes.
You can format them as HFS+ using Disk Utility and use them as a thumb drive but they will not work as an iPod until you Restore them in iTunes (to FAT32).

Synching a 3rd Gen iPod?

I have a 3rd gen iPod (dock-to-firewire cable). Can I use the dock-to-usb cable from my newer iPod classic (or the one from my iPad) to sync my 3rd gen iPod with my new computer (with no firewire port)? I know I can't charge my 3rd gen via usb -- I'm just worried about synching for now.

The 3rd gen iPod (the one with buttons that glow orange) will not receive power over USB (only FireWire), so it will not work reliably if connected using only USB. The solution Apple provided for Windows PC users, who usually did not have a FireWire port, was a special cable.
This cable has one dock connector, but BOTH a USB connector and a FireWire connector at the other end. You connect the USB connector to your computer, and (at the same time) the FireWire is connected to the white square FireWire power adapter that came with that iPod model. In this way, the USB connection provided the data transfer while the FireWire connection supplied the power.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA47700
I did a search on eBay, on "firewire usb docking cable," and there were some listings for third-party versions of this cable. Apple no longer sells the "official" part.

3rd Gen iPod Stuck at Apple Screen

Hello,
My 3rd gen iPod is stuck on the Apple screen. It is the screen that comes on when you first turn it on (or reset it). It is stuck on this screen, and each time I reset it (Menu,Play/Pause) it just goes right back to that screen. The hard drive is spinning non-stop. When I plug it into the computer the iPod does not mount, and it does not show up in my System Profiler under FireWire connections.
Did my iPod finally die, or is there anything I can try?

If you haven't tried already, do a hard reset.
How to reset iPod
B-rock

I am trying to put music into my 3rd gen ipod touch and older ipod shuffle but they do not show up on Itunes when i connect them,what could be the problem?

i am trying to put music into my 3rd gen ipod touch and older ipod shuffle but neither are popping up on itunes, what could be the problem?

See
iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows
- I would start with
Removing and Reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows XP
or
Removing and reinstalling iTunes and other software components for Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
However, after your remove the Apple software components also remove the iCloud Control Panel via Windows Programs and Features app in the Window Control Panel. Then reinstall all the Apple software components
- New cable and different USB port
- Run this and see if the results help with determine the cause
iTunes for Windows: Device Sync Tests
Also see:
iPod not recognised by windows iTunes
Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates
- Try on another computer to help determine if computer or iPod problem

I have a 3rd gen Ipod touch and when i connect it to my Macbook pro to sync it with itunes, it doesn't show up on iTunes. When I connect my iPhone 6 to my computer it syncs, backs up, ect. How do I connect this older iPod to my iTunes?

I have a 3rd gen Ipod touch. When I connect it to my Macbook pro to sync it with itunes, it doesn't show up on iTunes. When I connect my iPhone 6 to my computer it syncs, backs up, ect. How do I make this older iPod show up on my iTunes?

Hi ChristianHelpplz,
Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.
It seems like your iPod touch is not recognized by iTunes on your Mac, but your iPhone 6 is working normally.
I recommend starting with these steps to troubleshoot your iPod touch and connection with your Mac:
Check your USB connections
Unplug other USB devices from your Mac and try again.
Try a different USB port.
Try a different USB cable.
Restart your device
Restart your iOS device or reset your iPod.
Restart your Mac
Turn your Mac off and back on.
Update your software
Check for software updates on your Mac.
Check for an iTunes update.
Check your security software
If you have security software installed, learn how to resolve issues between iTunes and your security software.
From:
If you don't see your connected device in iTunes for Mac - Apple Support
If you've tried these steps and your iPod touch is still not recognized, try placing it into Recovery Mode next:
If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
Sincerely,
Jeremy

I am unable to connect my 3rd gen iPod to my Windows 7 Laptop or iTunes

Once again, Apple support Communities creates a new question instead of letting me search within iPod touch for my own research.
For the past six months I have been unable to sync my iPod to iTunes.
The 3rd Gen iPod Touch will not connect to Windows 7 and not recognized by iTunes 11.1.1.11.
I have data/info on my iPod that I prefer not to compromise by doing a hard reset.
I have confirmed that my iPod nano does sync with iTunes on my Win7 Machine. So I'm pretty certain my cable is working ok.
I've heard that I can somehow sync via wifi, but I'm still not sure if that means I can backup my Notes, Contacts and other data without the use of applications like MS Office/Outlook etc.
Thankfully, or detrimentally, I've been able to go for the last few years without changing the 10k songs on my iPod touch. But over the last six months, I've finally started getting bored with the existing songs. Hence the need to solve the non-syncing issue. And I don't like going blindly forward without a backup. My battery and home button have become glitchy and I'm concerned I may lose the unit completely one day soon.
If anyone reading this has any experience with a similar issue, or could offer advice, workaround, or solution, I would be greatly appreciative. And I hope to assist others as I learn more through solving my Apple issues.
Thanks,
Ryan

The Ipod works fine.
Battery charges regularly with the occasional glitch.
Running iTunes 11.1.1.11
I figured a Nano would probably connect in a simpler way than the touch, but only have a couple computers and cables to test.
I've reinstalled iTunes, but not the full suite, and not all traces. I will attempt this, but I suspect its related to my touch. I was able to connect other iphones to my itunes without issue, using the same cable.

3rd gen iPod Nano will not sync with latest version of iTunes. It passes the connectivity test but not the sync test under diagnostics. Worked fine on old Windows 7 laptop but not new one. From Control Panel it shows up as an Apple iPod USB Device...

3rd gen iPod Nano will not sync with latest version of iTunes on new laptop. It passes the connectivity test but not the sync test under diagnostics. Worked fine on old Windows 7 laptop but not new one. From Control Panel it shows up as an Apple iPod USB Device...

Never mind, I think. I think I figured it out. There was 1 song (out of > 900!) that somehow had been purchased with the other ID - I have no idea how. Once I deleted that song, it stopped asking.
There may be something with the newest iTunes version too. I didn't think in older versions that the "On this iPod" list of songs was greyed out. But at least it syncs ok.

Did I brick my 3rd gen iPod?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for