Dock connector in different location?!

Is the dock connector to the 2nd generation iPod in a different location? I just bought a brand new Ipod 8gb nano and two docking stations that are "ipod nano compatible" for a co-worker. To my dismay, I can't dock the ipod. Do I have a defective unit or has Apple actually changed the location of the connector, thereby rendering all first generation accessories useless?
I am just stunned at the moment. I wish apple would advertise this little fact...

The 8Gb nano has different overall dimensions, as you found out, so many of the accessories that were designed for the nano won't be compatible (e.g. the nano dock, headphones such as the Lanyard headphones, etc. - anything that is based on the original spacing between the speaker jack and the connector and case.
As for the dock, there is a hack, although not an easy one. It turns out that the dock comes apart very easily, and if you machine the slot on the plastic cover to be about 1/8 inch wider (on one side only) and put it back together, it works fine. I used a dremel tool and mine turned out pretty good.
g5 iMac 20 Mac OS X (10.4.2)

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30GB Dock Connector Changed?

I currently have a 4th Gen 20GB iPod (B&W screen, click wheel). I am considering replacing it with a 30GB iPod Photo. Was there a change in the dock connector location, such that dock accessories for one won't fit the other? I know that the iPod Photo is a tiny bit thicker, but most 3rd party accessory manufacturers say that their products will fit both... except for Dension:
http://www.densionusa.com/support-center/index.php?x=&mod_id=2&root=3&id=94
http://www.densionusa.com/support-center/index.php?x=&mod_id=2&root=3&id=95
Thickness is not a problem, as the Dension Icelink cradle comes with spacers to fit the 4G 20GB, 40GB Photo, and 60GB Photo. However, Dension claims that their cradle will not fit the 30GB Photo because of a change in the dock connector location. Thanks for any insight on this.

Hi Matt (and everyone else
I have just purchased a Dension icelink cable. My worry was the fit to my car headunit...(which I'm still waiting to see when it arrives). After a bit more research, I have just been reading all the suspected problems with an Ipod 30gb photo and the cradle! :O
Your post says this combination works fine - which is great news. Where are you based though? I'm in the UK. It could be a different fit for other places?
If you or anyone else can confirm I would be most grateful!
Thanks in advance!
Rob

IPod (dock connector) Apple on screen - dead?

Okay, so I haven't used my ipod in oh, a year or so. It's been sitting in its dock, firewire plugged in, and I hadn't really noticed when it stopped showing up on the desktop. Today I pulled it out of the dock and saw it wouldn't do anything (go figure, I suddenly want to use it). The Apple is on the screen.
Checked the hold button.
Tried to reset it. Apple would flash off then back on, you can hear the drive making noise, but nothing ever happens.
Tried plugging it directly into power outlet and nothing new happened.
Any clue what may be wrong with it? Thought I'd try leaving it out of the dock and off power and see if the battery would drain and maybe powering it back up after that might fix it. If not, anyone got a clue what could be wrong with it and how much it might cost me to fix it?

Hello,
If a sad iPod icon or an exclamation point and folder icon appears on your iPod’s screen, or with sounds of clicking or HD whirring, it is usually the sign of a hard drive problem and you have the power to do something about it now. Your silver bullet of resolving your iPod issue – is to restore your iPod to factory settings. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983
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, such as “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.
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”
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
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.

Dock Connector adapter

Hello all, I was wondering if there is a such a thing a dock connecter adapter for my Iphone 4. Most accessories I have support the older generations of the Iphone and Ipod. For example, my car deck (Pioneer AVH-P4000DVD) will play audio and video through the dock connector but will not charge it at the same time. I understand that apparently the new generations use different pin settings for charging so there must be some kind of adapter to twist it back. Any help would be appreciated. - Thanks

Thanks for the quick reply Malcolm, I researched the Scoche adapter and while it does apparently support the iPhone 4, it does not does not support my Pioneer CD-i200 interface cable. Went to the local Apple store and even the "geniuses" were scratching there heads. I know I have an old deck (if a 2007 model is considered old) but there is no way I'm going to upgrade just yet.

2nd Gen iPod fit the dock connector of of 3rd Gen Color iPod?

So I have a 2nd Gen iPod (4 round buttons) dock connector 40GB and want to get the new universal dock with the IR sensory so I can control it with the remote. In the description of the new dock it says it is compatible with my model but doesn't say it comes with that particular dock apdapter. However it says that it does come with a the dock adapter for the 40GB color display. My question is does mine have the same physical dimensions as the 40GB color display model? And so will it fit into the dock adaptors that come with the dock or do I need to get some additional adaptor? I thought that they were identical in size, though on Apples "Identifying different iPod models" page it doesn't list the physical dimensions of them. If anyone knows this that would be great.

hi Zachary!
good lord. something appears to have gone horribly wrong with the footnoting on the Universal Dock KB doc:
Learn about iPod Universal Dock
okay ... here's what i think is going on.
it's saying that five different adapters come with the dock.
five of the adapters listed in the table have little superscript "1"s next to them (adapters 3-7).
the first of those two "bullet point" notes below the table says "Included with the iPod Universal Dock".
sooooooo ... my thought is that the five adapters you get with the dock are adapters 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
but your 40G four-round-button ipod is a dock connector ipod according to this document:
Identifying different iPod models
which i think, according to the table on the Universal Dock page, means that you need a number 2 adapter, and so you're going to have to get an additional three pack of adapters for it.
... that all sounds plausible, but i'd prefer it if someone with both a universal dock and a 40GB dock connector ipod could actually tell us which adapter they have to use ...
love, b

Audio stopped working only getting 'dock connector'/ 'no volume available messages

Last week, my iPad2 suddenly stopped producing external sound e.g. radio with the message of 'no volume available' coming up. Switching to the iPod app, the mesage of 'dock connector' appears.
I can hear everything if I insert my headphones but this is not practical for me as I move about the house/ workstation.
I am presently overseas and I've already run through every suggestion from Apple's Help line experts with no fix.
From review other message boards, this seems to be a growing probblem. Any advice from anyone?

Solution discovered: The iPad had not been properly ejected when last docked to my laptop. Please ensure that you get the 'Eject' prompt when you right-click. If you do not, try to eject via iTunes programme on PC/ laptop. If 'Eject' prompt is still not present, take out Apple USB and re-insert into the PC dock (or another USB dock location on the computer) as it is not being recognised by iTunes or PC/ laptop. 'Eject' command should then appear and you then click on it. Voila!

10gb dock connector not configuring

I have a 10gb dock connector ipod and it will not configure to my computer. I have downloaded the latest software to my computer and I know that the USB and firewire points are working correctly.
Whenever I plug my ipod into the computer it is recognised as a storage device but will not configure when I install itunes or when I try to update it. An error message comes up saying 'can't mount ipod'.
Also the file symbol with the exclamation mark appears on my ipod itself but I can manage to put it into disk mode. I have tried the apple help with the five R's but I can't restore or reformat my ipod as the computer does not recognise it and it does not appear in itunes.
Can anyone help please?

"Can't Mount" issues are typically drive letter conflicts in Windows. Find out what drive letter Windows has assigned to the iPod and, if necessary, change it to a different letter.
But it sounds like the iPod may need to be restored at some point.

Why doesn't my dock connector align properly

For as long as I can remember having my 4S, the dock connector has not aligned properly. I've tried different cables and accessories, I've inspected the port and can not seem to see how it is doing it.
In the photo you can see the left (image top) is in further then the right (image bottom), if i apply pressure to the right when plugging it in then the left will sit out further. It's almost as if there is something in the middle that is stopping the connector going all the way in.
Has anyone had or heard of this happening and how was it fixed?

Sorry, I just realized I had "Increase Contrast" on under Accessibility settings. Solved my own problem. Feel free to delete or ignore this.

Ipod dock connector

probably a dumb question, but will a y cable (firewire and usb 2.0) that says it's for the dock connector connect directly to the ipod as well?

Hi carl,
Sometimes people get confused about which iPod is which.
I'm one of those people. Seems like there are quite a few different generations of iPods with no clear/easy way to ID them and differentiate their capabilities.
The older iPods do not have the dock connector; the newer ones do.
Good example. If you look at the refurbs I referenced above, there are "older" ones (at least not the current generation) there with docks.
If you have an iPod with a dock connector, the use of the dock itself is optional, and provides access to the LINE connector. Hooking up the iPod to speakers through the LINE connector is much better than using the headphone connector - the sound quality is much better.
That's what I was wondering. So does this mean that earlier versions have the "line connector" built in, or that they don't have them and you must use the headphone jack and get "inferior" sound when playing through a stereo setup?
I don't have an iPod (gasp!) and I'm deciding which iPod to buy, a new one, a refurb, or even an older one if there's some advantage to those, which is one of the things I'm trying to find out.
As for FW and USB, on the new models, are there both FW and USB ports built in, or must one or both of these be accessed via the optional dock?
Thanks

Is there a difference between the earphone output and the audio output of the docking connector, or is it in fact the same signal ?

Is there a difference between the earphone output and the audiooutput of the docking connector of the iphone 4, or is it in fact the same signal ?

One basic difference is that the LTE frequencies each is able to operate on are different. After that, it is pretty much the same phone. Others might be able to add to this.

Replacing dock connector?

I have a 3g ipod. It's getting old I guess but it's not so bad. I just replaced the battery today so it should have a new life but I have a problem with my dock connector. It won't charge or sync anymore. I tried a different cable with no result so I'm sure it's a problem in the ipod itself. I think maybe if I could clean it out it might help but I don't know what to clean it with. Otherwise is there a way to replace broken connectors? I'm in China so nowhere near an Apple store. I tried searching around online but couldn't find anything. I know it is probably time to just put it to rest but I like nurturing old electronics back to life. Any advice would be useful. Thanks.

I ended up buying a new mainboard for it.

20 GB iPod (dock connector) and 60 GB USB cord

Wonder if anyone can help me out with this...
Back in January of 2004 I bought a new 20 GB touch wheel iPod with a dock connector (hence, it came with a firewire cord to connect it to the charger and the computer). In September of 2005 I purchased a 60 GB color display iPod (the fat one, not the ones that show movies) and that came with a USB cord rather than firewire. My firewire cord from the 20 GB works on the 60 GB, however it does not appear that the USB cord from the 60 GB works with the 20 GB. I wanted to give the 20 GB to a friend who has a PC and therefore does not have a firewire port, but if he can't use the firewire cord and the USB cord doesn't seem to work with the 20 GB, then he can't connect the 20 GB to his computer--so he's out of luck. My question is, should the USB cord from the 60GB work with the 20GB, or is there a USB cord that I can purchase that WOULD work with the 20GB or should I just forget about this idea?
Thanks

But what is there to guarantee that buying another USB cable would work? I want to give him the USB cable that came with the 60GB, but it doesn't work with the 20GB... if he buys another one, how am I to know that he won't have two USB cords that don't work with the 20GB? Are there different kinds of USB cords, some that would work with the 20GB and others that wouldn't?

Dock Connector Cables

I have a dock connector cable from the original iPhone and several of the new dock connector cables from the iphone 3GS, 4, and ipad. The cables are physically different - the dock connector side is longer on the cable that came with my iphone v1. Are these cable interchangeable? Or is the original cable perhaps a slower speed/earlier version of USB? I have had employees at the apple store tell me both answers. One said - no, you shouldn't use the original cable on a newer device. Another said the only difference is the physical nature of the connector and functions identically.

If the Dock cable has 5.1 volts power it should charge some in sleep mode.
Give it a try and let us know.
Someone need to cut open a short USB extender cable and put a clamp on amp meter around one of the power lines and send in a report about charging currents.
Or we need a free Battery app that reports charging current and not just percent charge. -- oh and make the app work in sleep mode too

That white plastic thing that covers the dock connector

I just got my iPod mini back from a repair with Apple. It's a different iPod and it works great, but the little piece of white plastic that I used to cover the dock connector doesn't fit this one. Is this a problem? It seems like the connection could easily become dirty if it's not protected.

No, it's not a problem. Most iPods don't have a cover, just the earlier models.

How can I use 2 time capsules in different locations (home/work)?

I want to use 2 time capsules in different locations (home/work) for backing my macbook pro with time machine. OS: lion.
I am new mac user and have in general lmited computer programming understanding. So, please, simple step-by-step guidence will be greately appreciated.
Thanks!
Andreas

Each time that you change location with your Mac, you will need to do the following:
Open System Preferences (gear icon on the dock)
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Click Select Disk
Click the Time Capsule to highlight it
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Dock connector in different location?!

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