Folder+Exclamation point, Disk mode, and "Serious system error" in Windows

Hey there,
A couple days ago, I made the mistake of running with my 4th gen 40gb iPod. After playing for a while, it froze; whatever, it's done this before, and come back. This time, I keep getting the folder and exclamation point icon. Following the FAQ on the support part of the site, I put it into disk mode.
Here's where the frustrating part beings: When I open iTunes and plug in my iPod (either via USB or Firewire), one of two things happens:
In the first instance, iTunes tells me the iPod is corrupt. I click "Restore" and after a while, it tells me that either the necessary data cannot be found, or that an error (1418) has occurred. The farthest I have ever gotten was a progress meter and "Restoring iPod", shortly followed by an error.
In the second, and decidedly more frustrating, after waiting a couple minutes for iTunes to recognize my iPod (my computer does instantaneously), my computer shuts off. Upon restarting, I get a system message from Windows telling me that a serious error has occurred.
I went to an Apple store today and handed one of the workers there my iPod. When HE turned it on, everything seemed to be working...I brought it home, tried to play a song, and found myself back at square one.
Can I restore this thing? I can get it into disk mode, my computer just won't cooperate. Will reformatting my computer help? I am using Windows XP.
Thanks,
Ted

Hi Martha,
Try to do with slightly differnt, open the Disk Utility, go to tab of PARTITION, and do a delete. Then go back to the tab ERASE and click erase with the option format of MAC extended journal. Once it has being complete, open the iPod updater and click RESTORE.

Similar Messages

Folder icon with exclamation point...and updater problems

So here's what has happened to me today:
I plugged my iPod into my computer(this is a computer WITHOUT iPod installed yet) to charge. In the meantime, I downloaded the latest iPod updater and iTunes. The first time I used the updater, it told me that there was an iPod service error. I followed some instructions on the apple support site..and The next time I tried, it told me that one or more applications were using the iPod. I knew this wasn't the case, because the only application open was the updater, and no antivirus software was currently running. So I took my iPod back to my laptop computer(DOES have iPod installed) and it also told me that one or more applications were using the iPod, even though there were no applications open.
So now I have a little folder with an exclamation point that tells me to go to the apple support site, which I have been to numerous times...I can put my iPod into disk mode which really doesn't help anyways...

Then
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, 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”
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2364921&#2364921
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 and HDD replacement (with Quicktimes)
http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/index.cfm?page=Video/directory.html
2.Press the reset button on the Hard Drive inside the iPod – Suggestion from Kill8joy
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2438774#2438774
Have I tried these 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
Re: try to restore ipod and it says "can't mount ipod"
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=443659&tstart=30
iPod making clicking noise and is frozen
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2420150#2420150
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.

I put my macbook into target disk mode and now it won't start up in regular mode

I put my macbook into target disk mode and now it won't start up in OSX. I have used my install disk and repaired the drive. I have held down the option key to choose the system. I have tried to start in safe mode with same result. The apple screen appears, but the gear just keeps turning. I can get it back into target disk mode by connecting it by firewaire to my macbook pro. It will start up in Windows when I choose that system. What can I do to get it to start up with OSX?
Thanks for your help.

Try this from MacFixIt as well:
In the case of drive directory damage or problems with permissions, the solution is usually to use Apple's Disk Utility to repair the disk. Of course, you won't be able to perform this operation normally (simply launching the Disk Utility application, located in Applications/Utilities, and initiating a disk repair) if your system will not startup. So two options exist:
* Insert your Mac OS X 10.4.x (Tiger) media (DVD or CD) and restart the computer while holding down the "C" key. Once the computer has booted from the installation disc, select "Utilities" from the menubar and open Disk Utility. Repair the disk, then quit Disk Utility and restart your system.
* Alternatively, you can repair the disk while booted in single user mode if you do not have access to a retail Mac OS X 10.4.x (Tiger) DVD/CD. To startup in single user mode, hold down the "Command" and "S" keys simultaneously at startup. Once properly booted, type the command fsck at the prompt. Repeat these process until no errors appear.

Target Disk Mode and Migration Assistant

Since FireWire has been removed, what are the best alternatives to Target Disk Mode and Migration Assistant?

1. Put old MacBook's hard drive in external USB enclosure.
2. Connect to new Mac, and run Migration Assistant.
3. Migrate just as you would normally.
Speed over USB 2.0 is almost as fast as firewire. An external enclosure will set you back about 15 to 20 bucks.
Seriously, it's not a big deal. I've been doing it this way for years. The only place you have a problem is when the old Mac's drive isn't accessible. In that case, you remove the new MacBook drive, put it in the enclosure, and use SuperDuper to back up your old Mac. You then pop the new MacBook's drive back in the MacBook and re-install OS X, telling it to transfer the old user files into the new installation.

In Disk Mode and songs won't transfer from IPod to ITunes

When I called Apple, the gentleman told me that I first needed to put my IPod into Disk Mode. I got my IPod into disk mode and thought I'd be able to transfer songs very easily, atleast it was last time. I had to reinstall ITunes and lost my Library so I thought I could just pull them off my IPod. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!
IPod Mini

These links will give you several methods of recovering whatever songs remain on your iPod; some free, some third-party software, some more comprehensive for restoring Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, etc. Read them and their associated links before deciding on a strategy that works for you. There are many various third-party software programs that will offer a more robust process, or an easier GUI. Do a Google search for them if the links below leave you wanting…
Don King Resurrected: Deleted files from hard drive (free user steps – music recovery only)
MacMuse: Computer Crashed (free user steps – music recovery only)
Copying music from iPod to computer (a primer on various methods and software)
Copying Songs from Your iPod to a Mac or PC (resource for 3rd party software)
iPodRip Software
PodUtil Software
YamiPod Software (Mac & Windows)
PodPlus Software (Windows)
TuneJack Software (Windows)
Senuti (Mac OS X v10.3 or higher Recovery Utility)
XPlay (Windows software For Music Recovery &/or Cross-Platform Functionality)
XPlay Photo Browser (For recovering Photos)
Extremely Simple Method: (just to recover the song files – may not work on a Mac)
1 - Open iTunes
2 - Edit=>Preferences=>’Advanced/General’ tab
2a --- Select ‘Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library’: checked
2b --- Select ‘Keep iTunes Music folder organized’: checked
2c --- Click OK to store changes
3 - Attach your iPod to the PC and hold down the ‘Shift+Ctrl’ keys until the iPod is fully recognized (this will defeat the auto-sync process)
4 - If you get a dialog box to link the Library, decline this option
5 - Within iTunes: Edit=>Preferences=>’iPod’ tab: switch iPod to manual transfer – click ‘OK’
6 – Eject iPod
7 – Close iTunes, then reopen iTunes and attach the iPod (it’s in manual sync now)
8 – File=>Add Folder
9 - Browse to and open ‘My Computer’ (click on the ‘+’) and select the iPod
10 - Click OK
-- The music files should start to transfer back into iTunes with its correct information
–-- This will take some time depending on your PC’s speed and the amount of songs on the iPod
No Playlists, or Ratings, Last Played, & Play Count attributes will be transferred from the iPod to iTunes using this method.
If you have problems with seeing the iPod within 'My Computer', try again switching your update method to 'manual', detach the iPod, then reconnect the iPod to the PC.
After recovering your Library, strongly consider developing a thorough backup strategy for just this type of situation (and many other potential disasters).
You need at least two full sets of your music, not including what is on the iPod:
-- One full set on the PC within iTunes (on internal HD or ExHD)
-- One full set on an separate external backup medium (CD/DVD/ExHD/other)
-- One (full or partial) set on the iPod
Music files on just the iPod and only one other medium is not considered having any backup.
If you cannot store your complete music files on the computer’s internal HD, then create and maintain at least two external sets (any multiple combinations of ExHDs, DVDs, CDs).
Backup both the music files and the Library database file (iTunes Library.itl). What are the iTunes Library files?
Here is a post on developing a thorough backup strategy:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1583994#1583994

When i click on a picture on iphoto a black exclamation point pops up and will not let me see the picture. it is on every picture i already tried to restart the computer.

i know it is not a question but i needd help it is soo annoying and i just wanna look at my pictures and email them to friends and family. whe i try to click on a pic on iphoto, a balck exclamation point pops up and won't let me view the picture. i already tried restarting the mac

Try this:
iPhoto Rebuild
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2638

My iPod Classic is seen by Windows but not by iTunes. I have reset it, gone to disk mode and it won't show up in iTunes. There appears to be music on it in a file called MUSICSAVE. How can I get this to work with iTunes again?

My iPod Classic is seen by Windows but not by iTunes. I have reset it, gone to disk mode and it won't show up in iTunes. There appears to be music on it in a file called MUSICSAVE. How can I get this to work with iTunes again?

1. Update iTunes to the latest version. Plug in your iPod. If iTunes still can't recognize it, then in iTunes in the top left corner click help> run diagnostics. On the box that comes up, check the last two things. Click next and it should identify your iPod.
2. Click on your windows start menu. Type in "services". Click on it and when it pops up, on the bottom of it click on "standard". Now Scroll down to find "Apple Mobile Device" Right click it when you see it and click on "Start". When it has started, close iTunes and replug in your iPod and it should show up.
3. Check the USB cable
4 Verify that Apple Mobile Device Support is installed
5. Restart the Apple Mobile Device Service and verify that the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver is installed.
6. If you just want to add some photos, songs and movies from computer to your devices, you can use an iTunes alternative to do the job
7. Check for third-party software conflicts.
<Link Edited By Host>

Ipod nano stuck in disk mode and reset mode

My ipod which I haven't used for long came into my sight and i triedto use it and the battery was out. OK, so I charged it through my computer Windows XP with the usb. Of course my itunes program detected my nano. And it kept telling me to upgrade my nano so I clicked OK. after 2or 3 mins it was completed and it said to wait until nano reboots itself. But it won't... so i pulled it out.
Ok when i turned it on the gray screen with the apple logo in the middle appeared. It won't move anymore so I resetted it by pushing the center and the menu button and endless circulation began. 4secs later it blacked out and right after, the gray screen appeared again and again..until the battery wasout ..So I came here and knew about the center and play button so I tryed it worked so I was able to see my ipod on my itunes ,which did not appear before,and now it keeps on telling me to restore it because it was damaged. so I did. and now it came back as new. I wrote my new apod name ...etc. and after that I pulled it out. now it's stuck in disk mode and I can't move on,,,
I'm sorry the article is long but please help me!

Thank you, it worked just fine. I guess Apple has replaced operating instructions for these forums! Again, thanks for the help.

I have an external hard drive from my time capsule that stopped working on me. I am attempting to access the data with a hard drive reader on my MAC. I am able to see the drive in disk utility and under system info USB. But I am unable to access the data.

I have an external hard drive from my time capsule that stopped working on me. I am attempting to access the data with a hard drive reader on my MAC. I am able to see the drive in disk utility and under system info USB. But I am unable to access the data and it does not show on the desktop when connected.

Ok if disk utility was able to verify the drive I doubt there is any problem.. are you trying to open a TM backup??
You need to mount the sparsebundle then check the actual info inside the bundle.
Don't use disk warrior.. if the disk has verified then unless you deliberately deleted files there is nothing that is going to do.
Pondini has a lot of stuff about getting access to the sparsebundle.
http://pondini.org/TM/17.html
But if you have copied info to the TC that is now gone.. and the disk is ok.. I am not sure.. the TC will not have deleted the files itself.

Plugged in my I-pod to charge and now have a screen that states Disk mode and cant get it to shut off or go to normal

pluuged in my I-pod to charge and screen flashed afew times and now says Disk mode and get it to turn off or do anything?

Take it to an Apple Store and they may take care of it for you.
Basic troubleshooting steps
17" 2.2GHz i7 Quad-Core MacBook Pro  8G RAM  750G HD + OCZ Vertex 3 SSD Boot HD 
Got problems with your Apple iDevice-like iPhone, iPad or iPod touch? Try Troubleshooting 101
 In Memory of Steve Jobs 

Disk mode and new computer

When I turn my iPod onto disk mode, it remains at the screen "ok to disconnect" with a checkmark indefinately. It doesn't matter if I plug it into the wall of computer or whatever. I turned it to disk mode to transfer my music onto a new computer, but that doesn't work either. I'm horribly confused. Can anyone help me with either problem?

To get it out of disk mode and remove the check mark, simply reset it.
To transfer the music to a new computer using the iPod as a hard disk, see this.
How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer.
You'll notice that it's a different method of enabling disk use.

My ipod is in disk mode and says "ok to disconnect" now what ? its a 20gb 2004 apple ipos model No A1059

i got my old 20gb 2004 apple ipod into disk mode. what do i do know it says ok to disconnect how do i use this disk mode can someone help me out here thanks

Disk mode can be used for accessing the device as an external hard drive, e.g. to use to copy files from one computer to another.
See Putting iPod into Disk Mode and Reset your iPod.
tt2

Migration Assistant, Target Disk Mode and Bluetooth Keyboards

Wanted to migrate my iMac setup to a new MBP last night. Kept trying to start up my iMac in target disk mode and it would only boot normally not in TD. Finally realized that my bluetooth keyboard was the culprit in that it wasn't connected once the iMac shut off for the restart. Thankfully I had a wired keyboard; plugged it in and migration went as advertised. Nowhere (that I could find) in the Migration Asst. prompts does it mention anything about needing a wired keyboard to restart as a TD. Did I miss something basic? If not, shouldn't Apple make mention of this to avoid confusion and frustration?
BTW, the new MBP rocks!

Yes, that tidbit of info is buried in a support article, as is some other Migration Assistant documentation. But it would be far better if the app had its own comprehensive, searchable Help built into it, just like most other apps from Apple. Note that when you launch Migration Assistant, there isn't even a Help menu, nor are there any question mark in purple circle icons in its windows to offer context sensitive help.
Basically, that's what I requested in my feedback to Apple.

Protected Mode and incompatable system configurations

After installing Adobe Reader 11.0.3 I get a message screen concerning "Protected Mode and incompatable system configurations". The screen gives me three options to continue, selecting any of these options still does not allow me to open any PDF. I'm using Windows 7 Home Premium Service pack 1 64 bit Os. Any ideas how to fix this?

That got me past the first screen, now I'm getting the following.
HELP!!

Classic 120gb stuck on disk mode and cant get it off and tried the reset ! before it went into disk mode it went it had red cross ?

classic 120gb stuck on disk mode and cant get it off and tried the reset ! before it went into disk mode it went it had red cross ?
i read on the internet that this is a harddrive fault?
please dont say it is!
also there seems to be loads of this same fault hapening to the exact same model!?
please help
Chaz

That's super odd. It could be an indication or a damaged or dying hard drive. I would recommend doing a disk diagnostic on the iPod's HD using the instructions given by turingtest2 in this older thread. He also covers what the resulting numbers indicate.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3784647?start=0&tstart=0
B-rock

Folder+Exclamation point, Disk mode, and "Serious system error" in Windows

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