Did I just kill my iPod Mini?

OK. Dropped it. About three feet to a concrete floor.
Almost like dropping a baby off the diaper-changing table. Not quite, but almost.
Tried to activate it.
1) Got the black Apple logo;
2) Took longer than usual to kick in, but then got a skeleton icon of an iPod, with an +unhappy face+ and *explanation point* in a triangle;
3) Underneath, said: www.apple.com/support/ipod
Problem: If I've murdered my iPod Mini, I've got a problem.
I am running Panther (10.3.9) on an iMac, which is about five years old.
I have not upgraded operating systems for a variety of reasons. For example, I do not want to learn new commands/menus/and what, in effect, represent "new" programs; I do not want to find out a new operating system is not compatible with the variety of "old" programs I have been using (successfully)...a fact I've picked up in several forums right here.....and, since my computer is five years old (apparently a dinosaur in the computer world) I'm not about to invest any more money into it, or its compatibility with other programs/accessories.
Incidentally, if there's one key problem with +Apple+, this is it: Whenever a new operating system is released, we poor, loyal Mac users seem to be screwed. Have to upgrade ($), buy other new programs ($), even equipment. I have never met a PC user who has run into that problem.
So: Any suggestions regarding my 6GB iPod Mini? Before I give it its last rites and bury it, is there something I could do to bring it back to life? If not:
Where can I get a "new" iPod Mini. That's compatible with Panther (10.3.9)? Apple Store doesn't have any other iPod that's compatible with Panther. At least that has a minimum of 6 GB.
Suggestions appreciated.

What's with the baby-dropping analogy...?
See if you can put it into Disk Mode
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1363
If that works, connect it to your Mac. Run iTunes and see if it is recognized. If so, do a Restore to erase the iPod and initialize its software.
If you broke the IBM/Hitachi MicroDrive inside, you may be able to fix it and upgrade it at the same time. The tiny drive it uses is the same form-factor as a compact flash card, with the same connector. You can supposedly replace it with a compact flash card and get a flash-based iPod mini. 8GB compact flash cards are getting pretty cheap.
http://geektechnique.org/projectlab/753/how-to-turn-your-ipod-mini-into-a-flash- based-ipod
There are online videos for taking apart the iPod mini, for example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVin-kUSHd8
If you do take it apart, you may want to replace the battery, less than $10 on eBay including tools and shipping for a higher cap battery, while you have it open.

Similar Messages

OH MY GOD....did i just KILL my IPOD?!?!??!

Itunes wouldn't start up, so i tried to disconnect my (2nd version of 5gen) iPod my using the "safely remove hardware" option in windows, like this:
http://helpdesk.dlsu.edu.ph/images/usb/safelyremovehw.gif
because i thought that i read somewhere that is an alternative way. it didnt disconnect and gave me an error. However when i was able to open itunes, i found that ALL MY VIDEOS were gone, and the little icon representing my ipod showed a 1st gen iPod!!!! So i tried to reconnect and resync all my music and videos, but it wouldnt reload my vids!!! So right now im using the "Restore" option, hopefully this will fix it...so does this do any damage to the iPod? Did i do any permanent damage to the hard drive?
(also, when i opened up itunes, it gave me a message to download 1.5 version of iPod software. is this really new or part of the error?)

There is no version 1.5, it's currently at 1.2.
See what occurs after you have restored it. I doubt you did anything serious to the iPod.
You should also consider changing the iPod drive letter.
Click on control panel/admin tools/computer management/disk management/right click on the iPod to re-assign the drive letter.
Choose something lower down the alphabet, say 'M' or something similar.
The iPod can be confused by any other storage devices assigned a similar drive letter even though they may not connected at the same time.

JUST BOUGHT AN IPOD MINI - TROUBLE LOADING SOFTWARE

I JUST GOT AN IPOD MINI AND I AM TRYING TO INSTALL THE SOFTWARE FOR PC - IT HAS BEEN RESETING THE IPOD FOR HOURS NOW. THERE ARE NO ERROR MESSAGES BUT I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS NORMAL.

Maria,
First of all, turn off the caps lock. Posting in caps is considered shouting, and is also more difficult to read.
Formatting the iPod shouldnt take any longer than a few minutes.
Try this instead of using the supplied installation CD.
Download the iPod Updater, install this to your computer, restart the computer, run the Updater, then connect your iPod when prompted, then follow the set up procedure.
If it gets stuck, try clicking on the little x in the top corner, which might take you to the next stage in the process.
If this doesnt work, shut down the computer, disconnect the iPod, restart the computer, run the updater again, and connect the iPod when prompted.

Did windows vista kill my ipod?

I recently bought a new computer with windows vista (which I hate, should have gone with the mac). my ipod has been working fine for a very long time now. when I downloaded the newest version of itunes to my new computer and tried to sync my ipod, the ipod froze up and I havnt been able to get the thing working since. I have rebooted, restored, and everything countless times. I decided to go back to my old computer becasue I never had problems with the ipod in the past. I tried all the same things with my old computer numerous times and still nothing. the ipod is on but completly frozen and everytime I reboot or restore the same outcome. the only time that my ipod is not frozen is when it is in diskmode and I have tried rebooting reinstalling numerous times from this mode and still nothing. I realize that there is a new article on the mac website saying that windows vista can currupt your ipod, but this was put on the website after I had apparently killed my ipod. I miss my ipod, can anyone help me????

I have had the same problem- I recently bought a new Windows Vista laptop and plugged in a new Ipod cLASSIC (80gb). It charged up fine and seemed to working, but when I tried to transfer songs onto it and ejected it from the computer, the Ipod just died. It will not turn off or on, cannot be reset and will not charge either on the computer (I've tried it on various computers)or via the mains charger I have. I took it back to the shop, assuming it was a dodgy Ipod and they replaced it. I am now on my 4th new Ipod and the same thing has happened to all of them (each time I plug them in they just stop working). The guys in the Apple Shop (where I took my laptop and Ipod to checked out) can't work out what is going wrong but seem to think it is my laptop. They did not mention anything about Windows Vista not being compatible with Ipods, so I'm not sure what to do for the best. I am currently using my old laptop wich is Windows XP but am considering investing in a new Apple Mac laptop!!

ITunes has killed my iPod-mini

A few days ago iTunes started saying my iPod-mini was "corrupted" and would no longer sync (or add new stuff).
I was suspicious that this was not true, but in order to ever add anything else I had no choice but to allow iTunes to reset the iPod, which means it is now EMPTY.
Then I resynced and iTunes claimed to have put everything back on the iPod, but when I try to eject the iPod-mini, iTunes hangs, and I have to "Force Quit." Meanwhile, the iPod-mini remains empty!
So now I have an empty iPod that iTunes claims has content and whenever I try to eject the iPod, iTunes crashes!
My nano seems to be syncing without any problems.

More details:
Since trying to eject the iPod-mini from iTunes crashes iTunes, I also tried ejecting it from the desktop. When I do this NOTHING happens.
Naturally, if I just remove it. I get an error message and the iPod is still EMPTY even though iTunes claims to have just put all then content on the device!
This does not make sense!

Updater killed my iPod Mini!

I purchased an iPod Mini off of my boss last week, as he purchased an iPod Nano and no longer has any need for it.
I installed iTunes on my Toshiba Satellite at work, hooked up my iPod, and I while I was removing songs from the unit (which worked just fine prior to all of this), I was prompted to download and install Updater.
I installed updater, hooked up my mini, and let it do its thing, until it said to plug the unit into an ac adapter to reflash the hardware (?). Ever since, there has been an image of an AC adapter plugging into an outlet that stays on the screen, and even after plugging it into numerous outlets, computers, and USB ports, I can't get any computer to recognize the unit, and I can't get this image off of the screen (except for when I restart it and the apple image briefly appears).
I have tried resetting my iPod numerous times by toggling the hold button and depressing select and menu simultaneously for ten seconds. I have also read that I should try depressing menu and play, and nothing helps. I can't help but be discouraged.
Any words of wisdom for me? Perhaps there is something that I haven't tried (spin around three times, pray facing east, burn sage, make a sacrifice to Cthulhu, etc.)
Help!
(Sorry to the mac mini folks for posting in the incorrect forum in the first place. It's been a long week.)

Try any/all of these tips below. Some you may have seen, others may be new....
First, make sure that the iPod is fully charged.
Try Resetting Your iPod while it's connected to the computer.
Hold down the Menu and Select buttons until you see the Apple logo (or Menu & Play/Pause in older models).
This will often get it recognized. It may take several attempts.
Try closing and re-starting iTunes. There have been cases where iTunes refuses to see an iPod, but after re-starting, it works again.
Also try re-booting the entire computer. Especially if the PC has been operating for a long time &/or many programs have been opened and closed, repeatedly.
Other USB connected peripherals may be the cause as well. Try removing all connected USB items and attaching the iPod. If you have a USB keyboard, it may be worth a try using the adapter to convert it to non-USB. If the iPod connects, continue plugging things back in until you have the problem return. You may have then isolated the issue. Sometimes it could be a printer, camera, Flash Card reader, or other attached device causing a conflict.
If your iPod shows up in Explorer under 'my computer' try changing the drive letter: Click on Start=>Control Panel=>Admin Tools=>Computer Management=>Disk Management. Right-Click on the iPod and select “change drive letter”. Choose something further along in the alphabet that is unused. Usually, “M”, “N”, “O” (or something similar).
If that doesn't work, Put Your iPod into Disk Mode then plug it in and you should be able to Restore the iPod
Your PC may have difficulty with the USB2 protocol and the iPod. See this Article for a possible solution: iPod not Recognized Correctly
Also try these hints (and the other suggestions above) from any other USB port you may have on the PC. Sometimes switching USB ports can make all the difference.
Also See:
Your Windows PC doesn't recognize iPod
iPod does not appear in iTunes or on the desktop
iPod appears in Windows Explorer but does not appear in iTunes“Strange iPod Behavior within Windows”
If all else fails, there have been some successes using the information in this post below. WARNING: I have absolutely no clue to what this download file does, and introducing it into your PC environment is risky. Some Forum posters have experienced less than benign results. Proceed at you own risk.
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1222335#1222335

IPod updater killed my iPod mini!

I purchased an iPod Mini off of my boss last week, as he purchased an iPod Nano and no longer has any need for it.
I installed iTunes on my Toshiba Satellite at work, hooked up my iPod, and I while I was removing songs from the unit (which worked just fine prior to all of this), I was prompted to download and install Updater.
I installed updater, hooked up my mini, and let it do its thing, until it said to plug the unit into an ac adapter to reflash the hardware (?). Ever since, there has been an image of an AC adapter plugging into an outlet that stays on the screen, and even after plugging it into numerous outlets, computers, and USB ports, I can't get any computer to recognize the unit, and I can't get this image off of the screen (except for when I restart it and the apple image briefly appears).
I have tried resetting my iPod numerous times by toggling the hold button and depressing select and menu simultaneously for ten seconds. I have also read that I should try depressing menu and play, and nothing helps. I can't help but be discouraged.
Any words of wisdom for me? Perhaps there is something that I haven't tried (spin around three times, pray facing east, burn sage, make a sacrifice to Cthulhu, etc.)
Help!

Welcome to Apple Discussions locopuff
This is the forum dedicated to the Mac mini computer. You need to post your question in the iPod mini forum.
Peggy

Hello. I just bought an iPod mini and I it says I need a pas code to initiate. The first time I turn it on it worked now it is asking for pass code and I didnt put one on it. What can I do?

I bought an iPod mini and I was able to work on it one night. Now it says I need a 4 digits pass code to initiate and is blocked. What can I do?

You will need to restore your iDevice from the same computer that you most recently synced to.
Read this: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1212
If you can't do the restore then you will need to try recovery mode.
Read this: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1808

Did the iTunes update just kill my iPod?

Earlier today, I updated my copy of iTunes on my computer at work while I had my iPod plugged in and charging. (Normally I wouldn't update iTunes, but wasn't paying attention and kinda pressed "ok" without thinking)
Now I can't use my iPod.
After installing iTunes and restarting, I got a message saying "iTunes has detected an iPod in recovery mode. You must restore this iPod before it can be used with iTunes."
I've tried going through the restarting and restoring process a million times over, using the newest version, using the original one on it, ANYTHING. I can get as far as iTunes saying "your ipod has been restored to factory settings....restarting... blah blah blah"
Then it either restarts and doesn't show up again.. or as what seems to mostly happen, it'll start the whole "iTunes has detected an iPod in recovery mode. You must restore this iPod before it can be used with iTunes." process again.
I'm frustrated to no end!
Also interesting to note is that the "do not disconnect" and "okay to disconnect" screens on the iPod itself don't look the way they normally do on the iPod Classic. they're non-backlit and look like the ones from my old 4th gen iPod (I have no clue what they look like on the 5th gen).
PLEASE can someone help me out or point me in some way to something that can help ?

THe update messed up my 80gb too. I spent over an hour on the phone with Apple care yesterday - and they screwed it up even worse. (I manage music & video from my home computer and my calander from my work computer.) It used to work fine - now I can't even get my work computer to recognize the ipod as a USB drive! If they would just re-post 7.5, I think I could fix it myself - but they took it off the site completely.
I told (both people at) Apple care that this is the kind of crap microsoft pulls. They send out updates with bugs. Apple is supposed to NOT do that! I am so mad right now! I just got this brand new ipod for Christmas.
Today, I am supposed to order my new laptop for work. I have been given the choice of PC or Mac. Until yesterday, I was gun-ho Mac. Now I'm not so sure. I mean - they couldn't fix my new ipod after an hour on the phone? What kind of issues am I going to have with a laptop? The closest Apple store is well over an hour away.
Any suggestions??

Plz Help, just got a ipod mini...

I did the restore and the update....but now my ipod is doin somethin and says do not disconnect. and its said this for a while. is this normal? how long do i gotta wait? cuz My Computer is showin my ipod, but its not coming up in iTunes.

I too have just bought an i-pod mini and are trying to connect it to a windows based PC.
The PC has recognised the hardware (ie the ipod) and i have installed the software but i can't see the i-pod in i-tunes to transfer my files. the i-pod charged fine through the USB port but i am getting a message from the PC saying a high speed conection is in a non high speed port.
Can anyone help?

I just got a ipod mini (i shouldve stuck w/ dell)

after a lot of aggravation, my laptop (dell inspiron 9200, xp) found the ipod. the icon came up ONCE tonight, that it was found.. now i have itunes set up, but theres no ipod connected.. meanwhile its plugged in charging.
im very p'ed off. and i shouldve stuck with dell!
what should i do?

I too have just bought an i-pod mini and are trying to connect it to a windows based PC.
The PC has recognised the hardware (ie the ipod) and i have installed the software but i can't see the i-pod in i-tunes to transfer my files. the i-pod charged fine through the USB port but i am getting a message from the PC saying a high speed conection is in a non high speed port.
Can anyone help?

IOS 4.2 just killed my iPod...I guess contacting support's my only option?

So I just tried to update to 4.2 today, and iTunes sat for ages on a screen that said "verifying download with Apple" or something like that, with the iPod displaying an Apple with a progress bar that isn't filled at all... iTunes eventually timed out and said something like an unknown error has occurred, and then...that's it.
If I disconnect and reconnect the iPod, Windows makes the sound that it's recognized a new USB device, but iTunes doesn't 'see' it.
Is there a way to force a firmware update or something? Is sending it to Apple the only option?

I am a first time Apple iPod user. I've owned the iTouch 4th gen since early October.
iTunes asked to do its update, I clicked yes, browsed then net for a bit and then iTunes told me that it's update had failed. Since then, iTunes won't register nor recognize it as an iPod. Running Windows Vista currently and my system tries to install what information that the iPod should be holding. Also asks for a disc, but it never came with a disc. So now, it has been stuck on the USB/iTunes screen for about 4 hours now.
Yes I have tried all tips noted in this thread. For the time being, I shall be checking back every now and then to see if anything new pops up here and I am going to give Apple's Tech support a call tomorrow morning.

I just got a new Ipod mini and it won't stop reformatting!

I just got my Ipod mini, and put in the installation disc. I got to the screen where it says to connect your ipod (so i did) and to see if it needs reformatting. well, it did, so I am now waiting for it to stop reformatting so i can finished installing itunes and the rest. it has now been on the same screen for over an hour. is this normal? and if not, what should i do? should i "continue without connecting my ipod" as one checkbox asks?

If you are stuck in the formatting/Restore process, click on the little 'x' in the top corner. It may take you to the next stage in the process. Sometimes it gets hung up.
If this doesnt work:
- Shut down the computer
- Disconnect the iPod
- Restart the computer
- Run the updater again
- Connect the iPod when prompted.
Post back with results, or a bit more detail on where you are in the process.

Is the nano worth throwing away my old ipod mini?

I just bought a ipod mini 1 month before the nano came out. So now i'm feeling kinda ticked off as you can imagine.
The month that i did have an up to date ipod, i was enjouying it alot. In fact i currently have 200 songs on it and listen to them all frequently. So now the big question for me is if i should sell my current ipod mini so that i can buy a ipod nano.
Is the ipod nano worth it?

Yes. Throw away the Mini. Not literally; give it to a 7 year old just starting to appreciate music. Or, better yet, donate it to kids playing street hockey as it will glide better than a roll of electrical tape.
The nano is that good. It's that much of a breakthrough. It re-sets the bar for all portable electronics.
It boils down to light weight vs. capacity. If you can't listen to 4000 songs in a week, what's the point of carrying around an iBrick on the train, bus, or plane? Use iTunes, that's what it's for. It's there to be your library of all 4000 songs that you own. Once a week (or month) just dock the nano with iTunes and tweak your song choices a little bit.
It's like carrying around a carton of cigarettes when you can only smoke a pack a day. Lots of extra weight and complexity that can be eliminated when you can have a more simple device that can do a better job.
Ditch the Mini, grab a nano, and don't look back.
BJ

ITunes doesnt recognize iPod mini, which only charges

I just bought my iPod mini 2 days ago and still can't figure this out. Everything seems to be going ok--iTunes is working fine and I can upload music, but it won't transfer into the ipod. I believe in the Source list (in iTunes) there should be an ipod symbol? But there is none. When I connect the ipod to the computer, it only charges. I've tried resetting the ipod, restarting the computer, deleting the software and downloading it again, and nothing. I've tried updating it and it says "Plug in an iPod to update it, which I do, but nothing happens.
Any help would be a LIFESAVER, as I am extremely frustrated by this and am about ready to punch a wall here.

Thanks for your advice... The problem is that iPod doesn't appear in iTunes, so I clicked on the link and followed the instructions for putting the iPod into disc mode so I can reset it. I got as far as (see the picture of the checkmark) to the part where it says 'Disconnect iPod from the power adapter and connect it to your computer; the screen on the iPod will change and say "Do not disconnect"' I did that and nothing happened. My iPod still says "OK to disconnect."
So I haven't the faintest idea what's wrong. I checked the system requirements again, and I believe that my computer meets all of them. Guess I'm at another dead end.
Should I just try to get all this iPod stuff--the cd, cable, everything, replaced? Hopefully by doing so, that might solve whatever the problem is?

Did I just kill my iPod Mini?

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