IPod mini displays sad ipod on screen

Well I've had my iPod mini for about 6 months now and up until a month ago it has been working great..but it has started showing me the folder with the explanation point and the sad ipod. I have already restored my iPod once, but now I think I need to do it again, but the thing is whenever I try to connect my iPod to my computer my computer won't recognize it. I've tried everything but still nothing works. And the only way to restore it is if my iPod can be recognized. I think it might be because my iPod is not charged, but how can I tell if it is charging or not if it only shows the apple logo or the sad ipod screen? Help needed Please!!! I have a windows computer too.
Dell Windows XP

Hiya,
The first diagnosis is correct - the Hard Drive has died. This is common on iPod's of this age. You have two options. Firstly, you can try the repair yourself. This would involve taking the iPod apart and replacing the hard drive inside. This can be quite tricky. Your second choice is to send it to a repair company, such as mine (www.dr-pod.com). However, we are in the UK, but there are lots in the US too.
Hope you get your iPod sorted,
Mark

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Ipod mini shows sad Ipod icon =(

I've tried all the troubleshooting steps, and it's just not responding to anything!
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Sad iPod icon.
What does this picture on my iPod mean?
The sad iPod icon is usually indicative of a hard drive problem, so if you've tried those without success, it may need service.

IPod not recognised by computer, won't charge + displays sad iPod face

Ok, whenever i attempt to charge my iPod with the mains, it resets itself then shows a sad ipod face. When i connect it to my computer it resets itself, shows the sad face and then sticks on the low battery screen. The "five r's" do absolutly nothing, (didn't last time either)and i've tried forcing it into disk mode, but it ain't happnin' lol. I've also dropped it quite a few times to see if it would correct the disk, but it hasn't. iPod also had a new battery this morning.
Anythin' else i could try?
PLEASE, HELP!!
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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, e.g.“HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool”.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=501330&tstart=0
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.

My ipod touch displays message "ipod touch disabled,connect to itunes."I have held down on/of switch until apple logo appears on screen of ipod touch , but the problem persists. Any suggestions?

My ipod touch displays message" ipod touch disabled,connect to itunes. Ipod touch does no connect with i tunes. I hold on/off switch on ipod touch until Apple log appears on the screen, but the problem persists. Any suggestions ? I am running Itunes 10.6(7) My Mac OS X Version is 10.5.8.

I connected ipod touch to my IMAC while holding on/off switch as stated to by anothe community memberand problem is solved. I wasable to update and reatore. I have been trying to solve the disable problem
for weeks. althou you did not actually solve the problem, In time you probably would. You were on the right track Thank you.
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after restarting and restoring ipod touch, display is still white screen. I have done this several times. One time, the display went to the home screen, but immediately went back to the white screen when I plugged it into the charge cord. The music continued to play however. help!

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Make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store..
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

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"Does it have anything to do with static electricty?"
Er, no. You have the shuffle/repeat feature turned on. : )
About the icons on the "Now Playing" screen.

My ipod mini has a messed up screen! help!!!!

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What happens when you press anything? Nothing happens? Try to reset it, hold the menu and center buttons at the same time until you see the apple logo on your screen and then let go. You might have to try this a couple of times in order for it to work. Try to use it and see what happens. I have no idea what a remote test is but if nobody fooled around with your ipod while it was in that office then why would it say that?? Can you read what that list says, the one in faded print or it's non readable because of how faded it is??

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I am wondering if the iPod mini scrolls the artist/album/and song title while in the menu mode? I know it scrolls durring the "Now Playing" screen. But when i am browsing for a song it would be nice if the title scrolled like Podcast titles do.
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OK. That was my suspicion! Guess it’s another reason to add a 60 gig video to my “need list”
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I dropped my iPod mini and now it is stuck on a screen that reads:
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Ipod Mini stuck on Apple Icon Screen

I was using my ipod mini, and had it connected to my computer, and the computer crashed. Now the screen perpetually has the Apple Icon on it. Permanently. I've tried resetting the mini (by holding the menu and select keys, and also by holding the menu and play keys), and what happens is the Apple Icon dissapears for a few moments, then returns. Sometimes I'll get the low battery icon too. Then it's back to the apple icon on screen. Basically, I'm not able to reset the little bugger. I'm scanning the boards and have read the FAQs, and hope I'm not out of luck. Please help.
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Have you tried restoring your iPod?
Restore your iPod
Try running down your iPod's battery (by leaving it on) then turning it off, and plugging it into the power source for at least 24 hours. See what happens.
Can your iPod go into disk mode? Try putting it into disk mode, then connecting it to your computer again.
How to put your iPod into disk mode
Have you tried doing all the Five R's?:
The Five R's
If any post is helpful or solves your issue, please mark it that way, this makes it clearer to other users what solved your issue, and encourages others to help each other on here. Thank You!
I hope this helps,
-Kylene

Displays Sad Ipod face, but then goes away and displays very low battery.

It keeps switching between these 2, does it need repair or what?
Dell Windows XP

Here is a pretty comprehensive post about the sad iPod icon. Be aware that it's quite involved and contains some info that will almost certainly void the warranty. If your iPod is still within the warranty period, you should use that option first.
The Sad iPod icon.
You can arrange online service here.
Service request.

IPod mini w/ Nike+iPod

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Is there a reason Apple won't support this device on any iPod except the nano? I think it must be simply a matter of greed, since it would only take a new firmware release for the mini. I know that hard drives may be sensitive to shock, but I have been running, skiing, and snowboarding with this mini since I got it a few years ago and it is no worse for the wear.

Rich's response (for the link-clicking challenged)
OK.
The decision to support only the Nano has very little to do with shock, or vibration.
The Nano is supported because it's a flash-based storage device. The mini, and other iPods use a hard drive.
Since the Nike+ sensor in the show needs to constantly stream an uninterrupted flow of data to the iPod, the Nano is the only logical choice since because it uses Flash storgae and it has no moving parts. (The shuffle is also flash-based, but since it has no display and dock connector, the Nike+ product would be rather useless on it.)
The Nano can accept streamed data with limited impact on the iPod's battery. If you needed to stream data to a hard-drived based storage device, then you would be required to have the hard drive constantly spinning... which would completely destroy your battery life.
Apple is not being greedy, or playing marketing games.

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IPod mini displays sad ipod on screen

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