My ipod is going mad, giving me the "sad face" and refusing to restart!

The other day my iPod brought up the oh so familiar "sad face". I tried reseting it (the same way I fixed it the last time my ipod brought up the sad face) and got nothing but the start up screen...a prolonged wait, and the "sad face" once again.
I though maybe I could plug into my Powerbook and restore it to factory setting, but once again, the iPod decided to refuse. It is now displaying the lowest level on the charging sign and showing the sad face whenever I try to reset it. Also to be noted, it will not recharge at all when I connect it to the power adapter. The computer won't recognize the ipod so I'm at a bit of a loss. Any ideas? Do I simply have to take it into the Apple Store to get it looked at? Suggestions would be appreciated.

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.

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My ipod 5th generation is frozen on the lock screen and i tried restarting it 4 times and it continued to get stuck what do i do

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Try:
- iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
- Also try DFU mode after try recovery mode
How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
- If not successful and you can't fully turn the iOS device fully off, let the battery fully drain. After charging for an least an hour try the above again.
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Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

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That usually means the hard drive has failed. You might be able to find a repair shop who can replace the drive or you may be able to do it yourself depending on the model.
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Read this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1373

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In the previous version of Firefox when I quit I was always asked if I want to save tabs and if I said yes my tabs were saved for next time. The new version works the other way asking if I want to restore y last session, which is fine except: I received an update request from SKYPE while Firefox was closed. There was a link to find out more about the new version which automatically opened Firefox with just one tab; the info on the update. None of my previous tabs were available. Some of them have been open for months and there were at least 10 or 15 open tabs.When I closed Firefox of course Firefox saved the latest tab and asked me if I wanted to restore previous session. Of course I want to restore my previous session but not the single tab with the SKYPE update info. Is there any way to go back to my previous, previous session? I can't even remember what the tabs were, at least not all of them so what is one to do now?

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Doesn't seem to charge, not being read, and have the sad face

pretty much it. I have the 80G. It was freezing today so i tried restarting it but then it didn't respond to the buttons as if it was on hold but the music was still playing but the screen was frozen. So i hooked it up to a ipod boombox so it would kinda charge and reboot itself. Next thing i know, i'm getting the sad face and even though it's now been plugged into the computer for about 3 hours, there is no sufficient charge and when it does come on i still get the sad face.

See these troubleshooting articles.
My iPod is sad.
iPod displays a "sad iPod" icon.
What does this picture on my iPod mean?
Also, there is a pretty comprehensive post written by another forum member which is about the sad iPod icon or the folder and ! 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/folder and ! icon.
You can arrange online service here.
Service request.

HT4623 omy ipod keeps going on & off showing the battery & then back to the apple nothing else what can i d

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Try:
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How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
- If not successful and you can't fully turn the iOS device fully off, let the battery fully drain. After charging for an least an hour try the above again.
- If still not successful that indicates a hardware problem and an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store is in order.
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar
maybe here too:
- See:
iPod touch: Hardware troubleshooting
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- Try another charging source
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- Make an appointment at the Genus Bar of an Apple store.
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

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Unless you had already set up
Apple - iPod touch - How to set up Find My iPod touch
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I can only suggest trying the steps here again: "iPod does not appear in iTunes or on the desktop, an exclamation point or sad iPod icon appears onscreen" http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61771
If after a couple more tries it is still malfunctioning then return it to the store, good luck

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Dell Windows XP

I wouldn't do anything with it until it's dried out completely and that may take at least a week. If you mess with it, you risk frying it completely (if it isn't already).
Then check this post out.
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2369954#2369954

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Try the standard fixes in order:
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Try:
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- Also try DFU mode after try recovery mode
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- If not successful and you can't fully turn the iOS device fully off, let the battery fully drain. After charging for an least an hour try the above again.
- Try on another computer
- If still not successful that usually indicates a hardware problem and an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store is in order.
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Please help! I keep getting the sad face icon

according to the troubleshooting steps i am supposed to restore my ipod if the sad face shows up... and i tried but my computer no longer recognizes my ipod... so i tried to switch to disk mode and that won't work... and now my ipod wont even charge anymore what should i do?

The Sad iPods icon or folder with an exclamation mark are the toughest problems to deal with, and must do a Restore in order to fix it. However, when your iPod is showing this icon, it is probably too late for your computer to recognize the iPod.
1. Try these five steps (known as the five Rs) and it would conquer most iPod issues.
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/
2. 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
Still can't see your iPod?
Several things could keep iPod from appearing in iTunes or in the Desktop/Finder when you connect it to your PC/Mac. The most likely causes are listed below in logical order. Check from the top of the list to see if that is what's keeping iPod from appearing.
3. Try to wait 30 minutes while iPod is charging.
4. Try another known-good FireWire or USB through Dock Connector cable.
5. Try another known-good FireWire or USB port on your computer .
6. Try to disconnect all devices from your computer's FireWire and USB ports.
7. Windows users having trouble with their iPods should locate a Mac user. We've found that 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.
8. Try to do an Erase (Disk Utility) on a Mac computer or a format with a PC (Disk Management tool) but ensure you choose the right Drive (your iPod not your Hard Disk of your computer). You may need to plug and unplug your iPod with the computer for several attempts, and switching around Format and Restore, and hope out of sudden, it will get recognized.
9. Diagnostic mode solution – which I copied from a thread of a post from thinktwice
“Then I cam across this special Diganostics Mode that you can get to by resetting and then while the Apple is showing pressing the Select and backwards keys simultaneously. It bring up and weird Diagnostic utility witha a abunch of tests. Here is what I did
- I tried the 5in1 test and got and error on Firewire.
- I did the HDD R/W and surprisingly it passed.
- I went on to the HDD scan. This supposedly tkaes acouple of minute so I waited. I think 4-5 dots appeared then nothing. The iPod started to get hot. THe disk was spinning away. After a while the battery got very low. THis test chews up the battery. So I escaped out by resetting and went to connect it to a power source.
My USB was dangling out of my computer and I was too lazy to get the Firewire AC adapter thing going so I connected expecting the whole lockup thing with iTunes. Surprise. IT was recognized immediately and has been working like a champ. So go figure.
Details on Diag mode can be found at http://www.methodshop.com/mp3/ipodsupport/diagnosticmode/index.shtml
10.Let me ask you a question, if an iPod with no iPod software with it. When your connect it with a computer, what would happen?
Yeah, the computer will treat it as a fresh external hard disk, which will get force mounted, the computer will ask you to format the iPod. It does not really matter the format is completed or not, the key is to erase (or partly) the corrupted iPod software on the iPod, after that the computer will recognize it.
Once it has been completed, eject your iPod, open the iPod updater and interestingly, you will able to do the Restore this time.
Base on the above, that's why I suggest Windows users who experience trouble with their iPods should locate a Mac machine or vice versa. PC computer will not recognize a Mac formatted iPod, but it will get mounted in an attempt to format your iPod.
But, if none of these steps address the issue, your iPod may need to be repaired. You can arrange for service at the iPod Service Website.
I have just read an interesting solution about the Sad iPod, it does make sense but the warranty will be waived once you open the iPod, I would not do it myself as I am not good on doing this
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=412033&tstart=0
Pictures and instructions of how to open the iPod case for battery replacement
http://www.kokopellimusic.us/KM_instructions.htm

Apple icon, sad face, and low battery symbol (not charging) what's going on

my iPod U2 4th gen started acting up on me. it needed to be reset more and more often, until it decided to just stop working all together. it would show me the apple sign, sad face, and low battery symbols. bought and installed new battery, won't charge. it changes from apple icon to sad face back and forth on it's on when plugged into wall with firewire. goes from apple icon to sad face when connected to pc via USB. pc won't recognize it. please help! i've tried everything! is there something wrong with my hard drive? i'll pay anything to save the files on my hard drive. HELP!!!!!

Hey man...I have the EXACT same Ipod with the EXACT same problem. I went to the apple store and they told me I had to wait 3 days to make an appointment with a "Mac Genius" to look at it and that with all the repairs done it would probably cost me $150. Frustrated, I went home and did some research and heres what I found:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ljPhrFUaOY
http://notpopular.com/blogs/josh/2006/03/29/fix-your-ipod-by-spanking-it/
I kid you not. So basically I put the wall charger on, let it charge for 3 hours. Took it off the wall plug and then slapped the $#!t out of it 4 or five times. Then turned it on. Same sad face. Tried a combination of the reboot procedure and slapping around and now it works! Good luck and hope it works for you too!
I feel like going to the apple store and slapping the crap out of "Mac Rip Ppl off Genius"

Ipod went to white screen with a sad face...WHAT HAPPENED!!?

I kept my ipod in good condition and out of nowhere it stopped working. Now it goes to a white screen with a picture of a ipod with a sad face and under the ipod it gives a link to the support page. It goes strait to that screen when i turn my ipod on...if anyone knows plzzz help me out.

this is hard drive failure, you may need to replace the hard drive, but if you ipod is still under warranty then send it in if you want.
if you fix it on your own, ifixipodsfast.com has some video tutorials on hard drive replacement, and hard drives on ebay are.... cheap (can be pricey depending on size and condition)
-podling

Ipod with sad face and will not stay in disk mode but hdd works

Hi,
I've got a problem with my ipod and i've tried everything to fix it and nothing works.
So basically after my ipod gave me the sad face I tried putting it into disk mode and that worked successfully! However after I plugged it to my computer, it would (after a few moments and windows detects something being plugged in) it resets itself and gives me the sad face again and following that a sign comes up saying Please Wait Very Low Battery.
I know its not a low battery problem since during disk mode the battery is full.
Other strange things is that in Diagnostics mode the HDSpecs section just shows just a bunch on meaningless characters and numbers for each of the specs listed. I thought that this may have just meant I had a broken harddrive so i got one of those ipod harddrive to IDE converters and plugged by ipod harddrive in (yes i now have opened the ipod). Strangely enough the ipod hard drive appears on my computer and works beautifully and i can read and write to the drive.
I went though the forums and found someone with the exact same problem and was solved:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7244984&#7244984
However the person never said how they solved it except that they followed the guide posted by Mitch 751 which I also tried to no success.
Does anyone have any ideas what else I can try?
Cheers,
Victor

same problem mate ???

My ipod is going mad, giving me the "sad face" and refusing to restart!

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