IPod not showing up in iTunes source list

Question

Hi,
My fifth gen iPod is not showing up in the iTunes source list. I've tried the troubleshooting recommendations (unistall and then reinstall iTunes, delete the iPod/bin file and then update iPod software, etc.) The only one I have not tried is restoring the iPod to factory settings because that would erase the entire contents and since I can't see it in iTunes I couldn't add them back in.
Does anyone know what I can do to get the iPod to show up in the iTunes source list?
Thanks

Answer 1

Hi. I'm not sure I'm using this discussion form correctly. Anyway, I'm on an iBook. OSX 10.2.8 and recently purchased a fifth gen ipod. connected everything just fine and have been importing some CDs to itunes and updating songs on the ipod for a couple of days. Listening to music, the whole deal.
today, was trying to eject my ipod and computer froze. Restarted my computer and everything is gone from my ipod. Started the procedure of updating the ipod to reload the songs (still in itunes library) and realized that ipod is not showing up in my itunes source list.
Did the 5 Rs. Haven't reinstalled software cause not sure how.
Any help?
Welcome to Apple Discussions!
First try resetting your iPod again (several times
may be needed). Connect it to your computer, and see
what happens.
If your iPod appears in "My Computer", then have you
tried out all the suggestions in this article?:
iPod appears in Windows but not in iTunes
In your case, you'll probably need to assign your
iPod a different drive letter (because your computer
may be recognizing the iPod as a network device).
If your iPod doesn't appear in "My Computer" however,
then try the following. If it already does, then
assign it a different letter following the
instructions further below.
I'm presuming that you've read through all the
suggestions in this article below, correct?:
iPod doesn't appear in Windows or in
iTunes
Restoring may be worth it, by the way, because
restoring formats your iPod to your computer, so it
may be recognized after doing this.
Have you tried the Five R's?
The
Five R's
If there are other hardware devices that are
connected to your computer's USB ports (printers,
camera), then try disconnecting them, resetting your
iPod, and connect your iPod to your computer once
more.
Try getting your computer to recognize your iPod by
also: operating in manual disk mode:
Putting your iPod into disk mode
Assigning your iPod a different drive letter
Now, see if your iPod is recognized by Control Panel,
and try assigning it a different drive letter:
1 - Don’t plug in your iPod yet.
2 - Go to "START -> Control Panel -> Admin Tools (if
you don't see this, click on "classic view" button on
the left panel) -> Computer Management."
3 - Click on the "Disk Management" button in the left
panel area.
4 - Now, with "Computer Management" and Control Panel
windows opened, reset your iPod, and connect it.
5 - Right-click on your iPod's listing there (after a
few moments when it gets recognized in this drive
window), and click on "Change Drive letter and
Paths". Then the "Change..." button.
Here's what it should look like:
Assign your iPod the letter "M" "N", "O" or the like
(further along in the alphabet).
For more details, see this article:
Windows confuses iPod with network device /
Changing drive letter
I hope this helps you, post back if you have issues
with performing any of these things.
-Kylene
If any post helps or
solves your issue, please mark it that way
accordingly. Thank you for helping the boards!