Fix for Shuffle on XP Machines

Question

I, like many others, had the problem of my Shuffle no longer being recognized on any of my computers. The PC would load the device as a drive letter but, I could not access it with Itunes or Win Explorer. The tunes I had on the shuffle would still play fine. No error codes on the flashing light.
I went through all the trouble shooting steps on the site. If you haven't done that, you should before you do the following.
After a frustrating call to tech support... Phone & Chat is only available for for the first 90 days...Buy a $60 plan for a $99 device just to answer a simple question ?????
Anyway, I didn't want to go through the hassle of sending it in. Especially if they decide they need $100 to check it out. (read the fine print on the service agreement) These are the steps and now I'm back in business.
Caution: I'm an experienced PC user. This worked for me and my Shuttle. You might not have the same results. I can't help but wonder why this solution wasn't posted on the support site...
1. Re-format the Ipod. (remember it is really just a flash drive)
XP Home Edition
- Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools,Computer Management,Storage,Disk Management.
In the right panel you will see your drives listed. Right click on your Ipod and select "Format". When it asks, you want a basic partition and FAT32 as the file system. After the format is complete just close the window and eject the shuttle using the "safely remove hardware" button.
2. You will need to re-initialize your Shuttle with Itunes.
- Follow the same exact steps you did when you first got it using the CD that came with it.
- Or download the newest update of Itunes from the Apple site and go through the steps.
http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/
Hope others have the same luck I had.

Answer 1

Windows XP SP 2: 1GB Ipod Shuffle
Initial symptoms of my ipod were a blinking battery light when plugged into my computer. It acted as if it were set up to be partial disk and partial music in that it would pop up a new drive window when plugged in. After your fix it started to accept music again. but itunes would fail to import all the songs at a random point. sometimes 3 songs into my list, sometimes 10(the songs would play). looking at the ipod as itunes failed, it was as if the power dumped. would turn off then back on again, windows would lose the hardware device then find it again. I have done the ipod restore and update several times. done the disk manager format. nothing has worked completely.
your method was most productive. Thanks for your input. hope my additional info serves as some sort of diagnostic. I have resigned to dealing with tech support. had my shuffle less than 2 weeks and i fear it has fried part of its circuitry. maybe 1gb memory runs too hot and burns out - just speculating however
[edit]
after this post i went into options, changed the ipod to "enable disk use" ran the slider to some random point. hit okay let the changes take effect, then i disabled drive support and hit okay again. seems to work a bit better now. but the drive window still pops-up on plugin. still sees shuffle as a flash drive so i need to manually unplug. takes my whole playlist now though.
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