Photo iPod trouble

When i plug the ipod into the computer (Mac) i get a battery icon with the left quarter of the battery black with a lighting bolt. It seems to pulse/flash about every two seconds, after a couple of minutes the Apple icon will come on the screen, stay for a couple of seconds and then the sad ipod face appears for a couple of seconds, then it goes back to the battery icon i described above.
Any suggestions or ideas of what this is and how to fix?
thanks in advance
tb

ok, after two days of being connected to my mac, i now have a screen on my ipod that says do not disconnect.

Similar Messages

4th Gen Photo iPod/Windows Vista 64 bit Home/iTunes not playing nice

I have a fourth generation photo ipod. I was using it fine and it was syncing properly on my computer using XP Professional edition.
I just bought a new computer with 64 bit Windows Vista Home Premium on it. So I installed itunes and was prepared to go through the process of clearing the ipod and resyncing it with my new computer. In this process, I encounted a lot of errors. And in addition, it would error-out just in the restore process.
Eventually I got it to restore on the Vista computer. And now the problem I am having is that about ten songs into syncing my music library, it iTunes and my computer freeze up.
To isolate the problem, I plugged my ipod back into my XP computer and it works fine and syncs the entire library, so I know its not the ipod. Its a problem with iTunes and Vista together when an ipod is being connected.
Does anyone have insight on this problem or possible fixes?

I know Vista x64 is picky about drivers. It seems there is a 64 bit installer for iTunes so I am assuming you are using that?
"64-bit editions of Windows Vista or later require the iTunes 8 64-bit installer "
As far as the iPod itself, maybe it also needs the 64 bit driver and perhaps the x64 iTunes will take care of that. If it does change the driver, it may not be useable in the XP senario.

Major Stopping/Skipping Problem With 30G Photo iPod

Hi all. I'll try to give the short version of my major iPod problems I've been having. It's been going on for a couple months straight now.
The first thing that started happening was, in the middle of playing a song, it would freeze, and then start skipping through of the rest of the tracks on that playlist or album. It would sometimes make a "whirring" sound when going from track to track without playing them. Sometimes, this process would start instead when trying to manually skip from one song to another...it would just start to skip through tracks. It had to be restarted a bunch of times, and none of these problems had been present in the 2 or so years previous I owned it. Eventually, it showed an "unhappy face" and nothing else could be done.
I brought it back to Best Buy, where I bought it, as it was still under warranty for another year. They sent the iPod back to Apple for repairs. The "repaired" iPod was back in my hands in about 3 weeks, and for a week or so worked perfectly. Then, it started having the skipping tracks problem again.
Not long there after, it started having more serious problems. It needed to be resetted very frequently. The skipping of tracks, the first warning sign, became the least of it's problems. It needed to be completely restored. The first time it was restored, it got through about 600-1000 of the 5800 songs on it, then stopped and said the restore failed.
Other times, it showed the dreaded "1418" message. Other times it had messages like these:
Attempting to copy to the disk “Andrew’s iPod” failed. An unknown error occurred (-69).
The iPod “Andrew’s iPod” cannot be synced. The disk could not be read from or written to.
The iPod “Andrew’s iPod” cannot be synced. The required file cannot be found.
Eventually, it synced correctly. But the problems continued, and over the course of two weeks it had to be completely restored about 3 or 4 times, although it would then work again perfectly fine for, like, an hour.
So I took it back in again. This time, Best Buy told me that I would be quickly sent back a "Refurb" unit (a refurbished iPod that someone else had returned, I guess and had then been fixed or what have you.)
After a few days, I got the refurb unit. It's not my old iPod, I could tell just by looking at the front and back. And, for about 2 weeks, it worked absolutely perfectly. It reloaded like a charm, and played completely fine. The battery life seemed a little iffy, but nothing crazy.
Then, yesterday, this iPod that *is not* the same iPod I returned as far as I can tell, is having THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. Yesterday, in the middle of a song that I had played many times before, it froze, stopped, and started skipping songs. It needed to be reset, what else is new. So, I did, and got the "unhappy face" with the address of iPod support once again.
I'm really confused. What is the problem here? When I had my first unit returned, I figured perhaps the problem hadn't been addressed. But this doesn't even appear to be the same unit.
Could there be a problem with iTunes 7.1.1 with my iPod? For what it's worth, I followed the advice found online to try to find corrupted music files, and can't find any. When it had restore problems with the last unit, I checked to see if it was stopping on any particular song, and it was different every time. Even so, I erased those songs just in case.
Also, when it freezes and stops now (and with the old unit, for that matter) it was never the same song. And it was almost always on a song that had already been played many times, perfectly fine, many times before, and recently to boot. I've also played through almost every song through iTunes over the last couple months to check for any obvious problems, and never found any.
With over 5750 songs on my iPod, I don't know how I can possibly know with complete certainty if there's anything with a problem amongst them, although completely erasing my iPod library that until 2 months ago never had a problem is kind of a worst case scenario.
What on earth could be wrong with my iPod? It's currently plugged into an outlet, vacillating between the Apple symbol and the "unhappy face." Anyone have ANY ideas?!?!?

I wondered what a 'photo' iPod was. This forum is for the 5G video. I don't know how long an iPod is supposed to last. I think it is based on use and how roughly it is handled if it is a hard-drive model.
Maybe time for a new machine?

Photo iPod Crashes

Hello, everyone.
I have a "Photo iPod" that has crashed now three times. I have traded it in twice now for reconditioned iPods and within a few days of use the "new" ones crash again. (Thank heaven for the Best Buy three-year warranty I bought with the iPod, but this is now getting out of hand!)
They simply freeze midsong until the battery dies, then they are unresponsive to USB connection and to charging.
I'm running iTunes 7.3.0.54. Is that version of iTunes incompatible with the Photo iPod? I also have a 30G iPod that I've been running on the same PC for about a month now with no such crashes.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Try the following:
- A reset. Nothing is lost
Reset iPod touch: Hold down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time for at
least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Reset all settings
Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset All Settings.
All your preferences and settings are reset. Information (such as contacts and calendars) and media (such as songs and videos) aren’t affected.
- Restore from backup
- Restore to factory settings/new iPod.

Photo iPod won't connect until iPod is rebooted

Every time I connect my 60 GB Photo iPod to my computer (via Firewire) it is not recognized unless I reboot the iPod (menu/select). Once it restarts, it connects without a problem. I have to go through this procedure every time I connect. Once it is connected and recognized by the PC, it will stay recognized as long as it is plugged in, but once unplugged, the reboot is required again.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Stan
Asus P4C800-E (home built); 300 GHz P-IV; 1 GB Ram Windows XP

I realize that the ipod can be reset and brought back by holding down the home and wake button for 10-20 seconds.
It just that it's weird that it does that...

Photo ipod power

I have the 30GB photo ipod. I'm wondering if you plug the ipod docking cable into a wall outlet will that provide power for hte ipod for an unlimited amount of time. Thanks, Sven

For this particular iPod model (4th gen), you need the square white power adapter that came with the iPod, to complete that last step, if you are using USB for the connection. It has something to do with the connection's voltage. The USB port on the computer does not provide it, and many third-party USB power adapter do not either (some may). The more recent Apple power adapter that looks like a small cube should work.
NOTE: If you happen to use a Mac with a FireWire port, and you have a FireWire docking cable, you do NOT need to connect it to the power adapter to complete the Restore. So a FireWire port apparently provides the required voltage.
If you have an Apple Store nearby, you could probably take it there and ask the Genius Bar folks if you can plug your iPod into an Apple power adapter. Do not have them perform a complete Restore using a Mac, if you use a Windows PC.

My Photo IPOD won't do my update!

Since day before yesterday I had fixed my photos in my windows xp and now I want to update my photos or songs in my Photo IPOD 40GB but since yesterday I try and connect the white cable to my computer and doesn't do anything but charge my ipod. What can I do? Replace something?
Compaq Windows XP Dial Up Internet with Internet Explorer

I just posted the same issue. Please post any replies you get via email

USB cables and Photo iPods

I just dropped close to $500 on an 60gig Photo iPod, apple care, dock and accessories yesterday. The USB cable I got with the unit doesn't seem to work. When I change the cable to the firewire cable I still have from my 3rd gen iPod everything works fine.
Is anyone else having this problem?

Be sure your cable is plugged into the USB 2.0 port. Not sure if all the USB ports on the G5 are USB 2.0, but on the iMac, only 1 out of the 3 is USB 2.0. The iPod will only charge/work on the USB 2.0 port.

Shuffle and photo ipod on same computer?

I have a photo ipod installed on my G5. I just got a new shuffle. Can I use both seperatly, or will my computer only support one of them? Can I have different playlist for each? Any help will be appreciated. I have not run the ipod installer for the shuffle yet until i know if it will cause any problems.
Thanks,
Bill

Hi,
It is possible to use multiple iPods in the same computer and use the same itunes with different playlist or the same list.
There is no need to install the software that came along with the iPod shuffle.
Check this article http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432
The simplest step would be to follow the section under "Method Two"
Post back if you have any questions.
Santo

HELP! 40GB photo ipod "wall charger" icon..

I am not sure what generation my photo ipod is but I got it a year or two ago so I am assuming it is a 4th generation one. All of my songs were deleted and now has the "plug to wall charger" icon. The problem is, I don't have a wall charger anymore. Would I need to buy one or does anyone know of any other methods I can go through to fix it? I been charging my ipod through the usb/computer.
Please help. I am too broke to afford to buy a new one! I love my ipod dearly!

I purchased a refurbished 4th generation HP branded Apple iPod for my friend today. When I was setting it up for him I noticed it was formatted for Windows and he uses a Mac, like me. To change it to Mac-format, so he could install firmware updates, I restored the iPod in iTunes. I've done this a number of times with my Mac and my iPod Mini, however with a firewire cable. I didn't know that if you restore this generation iPod with a USB connection, you need to connect it to a wall charger afterwards to complete the firmware update.
HP did not ship this iPod with a firewire cable or a power adapter. It was asking to be connected to a wall adapter but we did not have one. We bought a car power adapter, but this didn't work. We tried inserting the USB cable half-way, but that did not work either. What finally worked was taking the iPod to a Radio Shack and plugging it into an iPod clock radio/boombox type device; the firmware installed, the iPod rebooted, and we have a Mac-formatted iPod working perfectly now.
No amount of resetting or attempts to put the iPod in disk mode prior to this would work. Hope this helps someone.

IPod troubles

Hello,
I'm having problems with my Ipod...it's not being recognized by my PC and is making some clicking noising from the HD I suppose.
I tried to restore/reformat it but it's not recognized by iTunes or the iPod Updater...I also tried to put it into disk mode but thats not working either...all I get is the exclamation folder
any tips?
thanks for the 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/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.

Photo syncing trouble

just got my iPhone 4s today and i'm having trouble syncing my photos to it on iTunes. anybody else with this problem?

See if this resolves the issue...
Delete Photo Cache
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1314
On your Mac...
Goto Home > Pictures > iPhoto Library...
Right Click and choose Show Package Contents...
Find the Folder called iPod Photo Cache and drag it to the Trash...
Close the Finder Window..
That’s it...
Try the Sync now...

Photo upload trouble

I have a 60Gb ipod video and i am having trouble uploading new pictures to my ipod without using the sync option in itunes as it is intent on delete all my accumulated photos. i can understand ipods strictness with music, but photos are personal and therefore have no license agreements. i have adobe photoshop elements 4.0, if thats any help for an reply. i would much appreciate any assistance.

I have a 60Gb ipod video and i am having trouble uploading new pictures to my ipod without using the sync option in itunes as it is intent on delete all my accumulated photos.
How exactly are you trying to transfer photos to the iPod?

Solution to ipod troubles!!!

Green/amber light flashing? Error 1418 message? Ipod not recognized by pc/mac or itunes? Device error? Etc...
After wasting several frustrating days, reading and trying out the many options posted in this and numerous other threads (Thanks to all of those that took the time to offer your suggestions and comments - as Apple certainly is doing nothing to help) I have the answer -- Buy another brand and one that is cheaper.
What is Apple doing to fix the problem - nothing! I was shocked to see that some posts are from August. Why is Apple not helping to fix the problem they created? Greed! Has anyone who has paid for support got a working shuffle or just the option of paying even more money to send it in for repair?
How many of us have spent countless hours trying to fix our shuffles? I bought my shuffle because it could connect to any computer (Mac/PC) via USB for charging and playing. This is something that the second generation does not do. If you bring yours to work or school, do you want to be carrying the dock as well?
How many of our friends are laughing at us because they bought cheap MP3 players that still work?
I am tired and frustrated because this is not the first time a software upgrade screwed things up for me with my shuffle on my PC.
My time is valuable to me as is my money. I am investing in another cheap MP3 player (If it gives me at least a year of service it will be a better value than what I got with my shuffle)- problem solved!

I think I may have found a solution to the Shuffle/iTunes 7 issue that doesn't involve buying a new mp3 player or banging it on the desk lol!! I was having all the same troubles described by everyone else. I couls still see my Shuffle in Windows Explorer so I decided to try and load some music on just like I was loading files onto a regular Stick Drive. I clicked and dragged a coule of album files over to the drive which it accepted. Of course when I tried to play them nothing happened. The cool part is that when I turned on iTunes it recognised my Shuffle. I loaded some music on and it worked fine for the first time since dowloading iTunes 7. I then went back into Windows Explorer and deleated the album files I had dragged across and bingo I have my full 496MB capacity and a working Shuffle. This may be a coincidence or something else may have happened unbeknownst to me (an Apple update??) but give it a go if your still having trouble.

Photo ipod slideshow

Can someone tell me if I can use my ipod that has photos on it to create a slide show by just hooking the ipod to a projector so I don't have to use the computer. If so will the resolution be good? Also, I seem to recall that it is necessary, when transferring photos to the ipod, to indicate full resolution or you just get a thumbnail. Where is this setting found in Preferences? Perhaps the thumbnail will not be a good image in the slide show?
I need to show a slideshow and I would rather not use the computer if possible.
Any thoughts on this?
Darlyne
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.8)
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.8)

Thank you for the referral. I am aware of this option. I was looking for a way to simplify in some instances by eliminating the use of the computer with the projector and just using the ipod with the projector. It may be that the resolution would not be good.
I may have to approach from the other angle and find out if the projector is compatible with the ipod.
I have not had the time to read up on it and thought someone else may have tried it if it is an option.
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Photo iPod trouble

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