IPod won't format

I have an iPod classic, 160gb.
OS: Windows xp 64bit
When I go to restore my iPod, it does it for a minute, then I get this error.I did what the apple site told me to do, but it didn't help.
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/2563/72119601rn8.jpg
and for some reason my ipods disk drive looks like this
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/3481/87726897wc6.jpg
when i sync, i get this error
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7418/24127386sc2.jpg
which is why i'm trying to restore in the first place.
I have more then enough space to put files on there.
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/1517/53834230ue7.jpg
Message was edited by: 2-D

You may need to change the drive letter of your ipod.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1493
I have no idea why this happens, but I have to this about every 3 months!
To accomplish this, I open itunes, then select edit - preferences. When the preferences box is open I connect the ipod.
Then follow the instructions to change the drive letter.

Similar Messages

IPod won't format, won't be recognized by iTunes

Okay so my problem involves a lot of history so let me give you the background information. I first got my iPod a year and a 1/2 ago and it worked just fine I was very happy with it and never had any problems. I set mine up as a harddrive so I could store a couple of text files in addition to about 5GB of music. Then my computer's harddrive died. So I reinstalled iTunes after I bought a new harddrive, but skipped the part about plugging in my iPod because I had to transfer all my CDs back into the music library. I did that then proceeded to plug in my iPod. Of course it didn't sync with iTunes because I had forgotten to reinstall my iPod software. I right clicked my iPod in my computer and clicked format because I thought then it would work. After that I remembered I needed to install the iPod software. So I tried to do that, but when I got to the screen about formatting my iPod the bar just goes up and down for 6 hours and nothing happens. I made sure my iPod was fully charged all the way and tried again with the same results. I then tried to use the iPod updater to restore the factory settings of my iPod and when it finally recognized my iPod it said it was being used by another application, but I had no other programs running. As you can see I've tried just about everything and although both my computer and my iPod are independently working fine they aren't working together. I need help!

I'm having a similar problem with my Ipod (40GB, now discontinued) here's my problem:
My hard drive would spin up and then down and then up and then it would turn off. Also I would turn it on and flip to a song, it would be OK and then if I went to flip to another one the screen would freeze on me for a few seconds, then it would work then continue doing that until I got it to turn off. It did that for a few days and then the other day I turned it on and it wouldn't take me to my music screen and it came up with an Ipod that was dead and a link under it. It did this for a while and now I can't get it to work either, I turn it on now and it comes up with a folder and the apple support website and when I tired restarting it, the screen would come up with a check mark and say "Disk Mode" at the top and "OK to disconnect" below the check mark, and now Itunes doesn't recognize it and the hard drive spins and it goes on acting like iTunes sees it when in truth it doesn't.
Hope someone can help!
Erin

I have restored my iPod classic and everything has been wiped off, now when I connect it to the laptop, iTunes doesn't recognise it and windows won't format it, an error message comes up "unable to format"

I have restored my iPod classic and everything has been wiped off, now when I connect it to the laptop, iTunes doesn't recognise it and windows won't format it, an error message comes up "unable to format". Can someone please help me sort this problem, it's so frustrating!!!!!!

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

Windows won't format my iPod classic 160 GB

Hi, I’m having trouble formatting my iPod classic 160GB.
It started after I plugged it into a computer I don’t really use to put some new music on it, and then when I went to use the iPod the next morning I had to choose language and everything was gone. It worked fine the night before with both the new music and the old, but now it says in the settings of the iPod that I have 0 KB free, even though there’s nothing on it (all the space is filled with “other”, and I don’t know what that means).
When I connect it to the computer it says I have to format it to use it, but when I try to do so Windows can’t finish formatting. It also just shows up as “portable disc (E:)” instead of the name I’ve given it. I’ve tried putting it in disk mode and then it shows up with the correct name, saying I have 117 GB out of 148 GB left to use. Which is correct, but windows still won’t format it, or scan it for errors in error checking. If I try checking for errors when it’s not in disk mode a window pops up saying that they can’t access the disk.
I bought this iPod last year so it’s not old. I really have no clue what do to from here and I would appreciate help so much!!

Hello BigDan1106,
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
For more information, take a look at:
Updating iPod
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1483
Have a nice day,
Mario

Itunes Won't Format Ipod

I posted this in another section but as it's about installing I thought I would post here.
I was forced to reinstall itunes because of a problem and now itunes won't format my ipod, it tries to and then is forced to close. Anyone any ideas?
Thanks

Here are a couple of tips and threads on the 1628 error; perhaps one will help:
Error 1628: "Failed to complete script based install"
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=717172
and a more generic set of tips:
Trouble installing iTunes or QuickTime software in Windows
Hope this helps.

Ipod mini won't format!

Just bought an ipod mini for my sons birthday. Tried to set it up and it won't format. got error msg assertion b failed at .\ipodformatFat32.cppline1068.
Does anyone know how to fix it? He's going to be so disapointed if i have to send it back

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
First, try restoring the iPod, as long as iTunes and the iPod updater are installed...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983
If it still doesn't work, then try downloading the software here as it may not be updated on the CD that came with...
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download
http://www.apple.com/ipod/download
See if you can restore now.
btabz

Formatted HD and iPod won't see songs that I have reinstalled on HD

I formatted my HD. I copied the library of the iPod back onto the computer into MyMusic. However my iPod won't see any of the songs that I recopied onto the computer. I was forced to reformat the iPod. My song library is in MyMusic the whole time but the iPod won't see any of it. How can I get my iPod to see the songs in MyMusic.

" However my iPod won't see any of the songs that I recopied onto the computer"
What exactly does that mean? The iPod is not supposed to "see" your music in your "My Music" folder.
I don't get what you're saying, or what the issue actually is.

IPod Won't Play Songs, Videos Reset it, and it's Quite Sluggish

I have a 30GB video iPod (the old version). Everything was working fine until a few days ago, when the power on my iPod ran out because I fell asleep while listening to it. The next day when I turned it on, it said "Connect to your Computer, Use iTunes to restore" So I promptly did that, and it worked fine until I tried to play a video on it. It showed a blank screen, so I reset it by pressing the Menu and Center buttons. Then it showed the "Connect to your computer" screen again. So I restored it, and it would be fine until it locked up again and showed the "Connect to your computer screen" again. I left it alone for about eight hours, and when I tried turning it back on again, it was back to normal.I've seen that screen probably 10 times in the past 4 days, and I've restored it, just as many times.
Here's the list of problems I'm having:
- the iPod won't play some songs when I click on them. It will show the Playing triangle in the upper left corner, but I hear no sound and the seeking bar doesn't move. I'll often have to click the Pause button, then hit it again to Play it, and then it will play the song.
- The iPod is extremely slow. When dealing with songs or videos, it often takes a minute or more for the iPod to respond to my button clicks. Its hard drive isn't full, though; in fact I'm only using about 2 GB.
- Videos lock up the iPod. Just about any time I want to play I video on it, it will show a blank screen and won't respond. Then I have to reset it and I get the "Connect to your computer" screen again. These aren't videos in the wrong format or anything, these are the same videos I've been playing on my iPod before with no problems, until recently.
- Battery life is horrible. Although it hasn't been fully drained yet, judging from the power meter and how long I've been using it after it's fully charged, I'd guess it would only last about 2-3 hours. I would think it should last considerably longer, as the iPod is only about 3 months old.
Has anybody been experiencing similar problems, or know what I can do to fix it?

I've still had the same problems, but now when I try and turn on my ipod, it tells me to restore. When I do go to restore, itunes says that it cannot find the file needed to restore my ipod. The ipod itself also tried resetting itself, I guess, made it to the menu that asked what language I wanted it in, and then restarted again. This went on for an hour and a half, and I could't do anything. Is my ipod a lost cause?

HT1338 my 5th generation ipod won't sync anymore to my PowerMac G4. It worked fine, but when I installed a new hard drive it won't work anymore.

my 5th generation ipod won't sync anymore to my PowerMac G4. It worked fine, but when I installed a new hard drive it won't work anymore. I've re-installed iTunes, the latest version for Tiger, I've reset and restored my iPod. The ipod shows up fine in the source banner and I can transfer files to it, however when I unplug the iPod the files are not there.

Maybe try to repair the iPod's HD using Disk Utility located in the Applications -> Utilities folder. If that doesn't help, try a low level reformat of the drive using the same application. Make sure you choose Mac OS X Extended (Journaled) as the file system format.
B-rock

IPOD won't update from iTunes

Jeez, I thought that iTunes/iPOD would be pretty simple; move music from here to there. I have been using for over a year with no problem, but within the latest couple of upgrades to iTunes, my iPOD will no longer update correctly. I have spent over 6 hours trying to figure this crap out, and it still won't work. YEAH, I have the latest Updater/iPOD software installed, and the latest iTunes. Plug in my iPOD, and it says its updating, and I can see the new music on the iPOD from iTunes, but its NOT ON MY IPOD when I unplug and try and play. The other day I formatted the dang thing, and spent five hours moving music; next day added two additional songs to the library, and they will not move to the iPOD. Have tried moving manually, but they still will not play on the iPOD.
What kind of crap are you giving us??? If iTunes/iPOD won't do what its supposed to do (move music from here to there), then I don't want to mess around with it. If you can't move my music properly, why would I put my Contacts/Calendars on this device?
Support: Forget about it! Post a message in a Discussion Group and hope for the best. Forget about actually calling someone and asking for help, even though you paid top dollar for your 30gb iPOD. I'm starting to look for some fool to buy it and let them deal with it. Oh Yeah, by the way, the screen is scratched even though I bought a PROTECTIVE case for it.
Several people in our office were interested in purchasing an iPOD, iShuffle and I have convinced them to look elsewhere.
Two people in our office recently purchased iShuffles that did not work...

hi Jim!
Plug in my iPOD, and it says its updating, and I can see the new music on the iPOD from iTunes, but its NOT ON MY IPOD when I unplug and try and play.
sounds like a drive letter confusion on your PC. see:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93499
... although, of course, you don't actually
b care
about what we might say, or fixing it ...
love, b

IPod won't display songs in MyMusic folder; can't copy songs to iPOd

I formatted my HD. I copied the library of the iPod back onto the computer into MyMusic. However my iPod won't display any of the songs that I recopied onto the computer. I was forced to reformat the iPod. My song library is in MyMusic the whole time but the iPod won't display any of it. How can I get my iPod to display the songs in MyMusic? I can't copy the songs onto the iPod as the songs are already in MyMusic.

Yes. I can see it there and play it as well...I just can't get it to transfer to my ipod from the itunes library. And it only happened with a few songs and I don't know what I did to make it so that it only trasferred to my library and not my ipod. But it is playable and viewable in my library and only when it is connected. Otherwise only the songs that are already on my ipod are viewable.
Does that make sense?
Let me know if it doesn't
Thanks so much

20g ipod won't show on computer

my ipod won't show up on my computer anywhere, it is making wierd hard drive noise, can someone please help me.

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.“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.
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 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”
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
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.

IPod won't mount in iTunes

Hello there,
I have a 20gb iPod that's nearly 3 years old & my PC is running Windows XP Professional with SP2. And I've got the latest version of iTunes (7.4.3).
Recently my iPod started behaving strangely, skipping during songs sometimes, and sometimes hanging for several seconds whilst playing.
Anyway, my big problem now is that the iPod won't mount in iTunes & iTunes hangs for ages when the iPod is connected.
The iPod comes up in Windows Explorer as a Removeable Drive called "Apple iPod". This leads me to believe that I may have accidentally put it into disc mode?
All the troubleshooting advice I've read suggests that if I can only get iTunes to recognise it, then iTunes should then automatically load the required software on to the iPod & everything will be hunky dory. That sounds all very well & good but iTunes is not currently seeing the iPod so it's not doing that.
As I've said, the iPod comes up in Windows Explorer, but if I do anything with it, even just right-clicking on it for example, Windows Explorer hangs as well.
Grrrrrrrr!!
I know it is not a cable problem or a PC problem as I have tried several different cables & 3 different PCs, all with the same results.
Please help!

I'm having a similar problem with my sons 3 generation Ipod Nano.
When I plug in my sons Ipod into my Apple G5 running OS X Version 10.4.11 and Apple Itunes 9.0.2... I too can't mount the Ipod on to Itunes.
What I found is that my son plugged his Ipod into a Windows laptop and reformatted his Ipod by accident for MS Windows... now my son is only 10 and didn't know what he was doing and would admit he did it.
How I found out was when I plugged in the two Ipods and hit Get Info
His Ipod Nano had: FORMAT: MS-DOS File System (FAT32)
and my Ipod Nano had: FORMAT: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
I asked him and he admitted that... that's what he did... this is after 5 hours of trying to mount his Ipod.
Now here's the problem: His music and my music is all in the same account on the same computer (That being my G5)
My G5 running the most recent version of Itunes 9.0.2 recognizes all of our other Ipods except his which just shows up on the desktop of my computer... BUT DOES NOT DOW UP IN ITUNES UNDER DEVICES like all the other Ipods.
What I think I need to do is re format his Ipod Nano for Mac... Only problem is Itunes 9.0.2 doesn't allow that to happen.
Can someone point me in the right direction?
Thanks

Brand new iPod won't turn on.

I've recently purchased a 30GB iPod video, but it does not seem to work. I've studied the help documents to the best of my abilities and consulted friends who also own iPods, but have yet to find out how to solve my problem.
As the subject line says, it will not turn on. It has never, since coming out of the box, been on. Any idea what is wrong with it?
To speed things up, here are the things that I have done:
1. Installed the companion software on a first computer (running Windows XP), then connected the iPod into every available USB port. The charging icon did not come on. The iPod was not detected anywhere on the computer.
2. Installed the companion software on a second computer (running Windows XP), then connected the iPod into every available USB port. The charging icon did not come on. The iPod was not detected anywhere on the computer.
3. Uninstalled and reinstalled the companion software on the first computer, retested the iPod in all USB ports, then had the same thing happen (or not happen, if you like :D).
4. Confirmed that one of the USB ports was functional by inserting a spare mouse into it, which was detected and powered by the computer.
5. Proceeded to insert the iPod into the tested port and waited for over an hour on the suspicion that it may simply not be working due to a lack of charge. No success.
6. Went through the "Five R's" as best I could. Though probably futile since it has never been active, I attempted to Reset it. I believe that I've established that I've Retried, Restarted, and Removed, and of course, I don't really know how I can Restore an unused iPod that won't do so much as to activate.
In trying all of this, I tend to get the feeling that it shouldn't be this hard. If I've overlooked some detail, it would be helpful to know it, but I feel that I've been fairly thorough in testing it. It also doesn't particularly help when most of the guides assume that my iPod will (or at least did) activate .
I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I suspect that my iPod is defective, if you know anything that would suggest otherwise, then thanks for your help. Otherwise, thanks at least for you time and consideration.
30GB iPod video Windows XP

"XP Engergy Savings Disable USB Ports"
I followed the steps and made sure that all of the USB ports would be enabled. I tried the iPod in two of them (one for over ten minutes). The charging signal did not come on. The screen remained blank. I followed the link at the bottom of the help page, but it took me to a document that would not help since it assumed that I could put my iPod in disk mode, which dosen't seem to work (more than likely because it needs to turn on to do this). No luck here.
"Windows confuses iPod with a network drive"
I followed the steps up until step five, at which point, I could go no further because it requires the iPod to show up on the Computer Management screen. Mine doesn't .
"iPod missing in iTunes and or Windows, includes 5R's"
There were several things here to try. I looked to see if there was an infection on the computer. I feel relatively sure that there isn't one, especially on the second computer that I had used (since it is new and has not been used on the internet for more than a few days).
Next applicable item: system requirements. I actually have one question to ask here. Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 is listed as required, and I don't believe that it is on either computer. What are the implications of this--will not having this software cause to iPod to fail to even display a charge icon? This seems to me like it may be the source of the problem. I had only looked at the box which did not list this software as a requirement. It feels like a little bit of a stretch (I'd expect the iPod to at least charge), but has the lack of this software been known to cause the iPod to fail to work in the same way that mine fails?
Next applicable item: formatting for Windows. I need someone else's expertise here. Do iPods ever ship formatted for a certain type of computer? I wouldn't expent them to, be even if they do, would this create the symptoms that my iPod has? It would seem rather inflexible if an iPod couldn't do so much as to charge on an incompatible machine. I can't check how it is formatted (or if it is formatted at all) because it won't turn on. Do you feel that this area is a potential source of the problem?
This next applicable item is "Your iPod needs service" . I'm nearly sure that this is true, but I'll wait at most a couple more days to see if anyone will be so kind as to answer these questions (and hopefully to see if I can resolve this issue). Thanks in advance.

Help my IPOD won't start PLEASE HELP

It gives me the apple screen and then switches into the foloer with an exclamation point and i don't know how to get it out. I have tried restarting, and plugging it into the computer doesn't do anything. It is charged, please help.

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/itunes/download/
For old and other versions of iPod updater for window you can get here
http://www.ipodwizard.net/showthread.php?t=7369
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 iTunes 7 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 iTunes 7 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 iTunes 7.
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”
Exclamation point and folder and nothing else
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3597173#3597173
Exclamation point and folder and nothing else
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2831962#2831962
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
Cant put it into disk mode
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3786084#3786084
I think my iPod just died its final death
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3813051
Apple logo & monochrome battery stay
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3827167#3827167
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.
Finally, I read a fair comments from dwb, regarding of slapping the back of the iPod multiple times
Quote “This has been discussed numerous times as a 'fix'. It does work, at least for a while. In fact I remember using the same basic trick to revive Seagate and Quantam drives back in the mid to late 1980's. Why these tiny hard drives go bad I don't know - could be the actuator gets stuck in place or misaligned. Could be the platter gets stuck or the motor gets stuck. 'Stiction' was a problem for drives back in the 80's. Unfortunately the fix can cause damage to the platter so we temporarily fix one problem by creating another. But I know of two instances where a little slap onto the table revived the iPods and they are still worked a year or more later.”UnQuote

IPod won't format

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