Strange Icon (Sad Ipod) won't respond
My Ipod first froze when I chose a song last night. Now when I turn it on, the ipod shows the apple icon. After a few seconds of the apple icon and some "clicking" noises (as if the hard drive keeps on trying to restart), the strange icon (Sad Ipod) shows up. Whenever I try to restart, put into disk mode, and reset my ipod, the same strange icon shows up. I tried to restore my Ipod by plugging it in my laptop but "iPod updater" keeps on telling me that I need to plug my ipod in.
Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Your sad iPod icon and whirring/clicking sounds issue is most likely related to your iPod’s hard drive being out of place or corrupt in some way. You may want to get your iPod’s hard drive replaced, but before that, let’s try some things with your iPod.
Have you checked out these links about your issue?
The Sad iPod icon
Sad iPod icon(post)
Exclamation point and folder/The Sad iPod icon
Have you tried resetting your iPod?
Reset your iPod
Have you also checked out the "iPod 101" info about this? It's a great place to start with Sad iPod issues:
iPod 101 - My iPod is Sad (or Alarmed)
I hope this helps you,
-Kylene
If any post helps or solves your issue, please mark it that way accordingly. Thank you for helping the boards!
Similar Messages
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my ipod won't respond to me or my laptop. it has been flashing the apple logo for an hour maybe. some one please help. i really don't want to lose my baby.
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.
- If still not successful that usually indicates a hardware problem and an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store is in order.
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar -
Ipod won't respond to anything
I have a 20g ipod with click wheel and color screen.
First, my ipod wouldn't be roconized by my itunes. No icon came up in the source list. Nothing would happen when I would connect to my imac.
Now, my ipod won't stop flashing the do not disconnect symbol.
I have tried resetting my ipod but it won't respond to that either.
The only thing that seems to change on it is when I plug it into an electrical outlet, the battery changes to charging mode. The battery was low but still green, is that part of the problem?
can anyone help?I did that last night and nothing works. I know I don't have a dead battery because it was fully charged yesterday.
besides, when I plug it into something, nothing comes up; not even the little "charging" symbol. -
My iPods won't respond or display anything
I have two iPod touches that both went out at the same time. They just won't respond to anything. I have tried the methods in the troubleshooting section to turn them off but nothing happens.
They don't appear to charge at all when I plug them into the wall adapter (I have tried three different ones, and confirmed them all work with my classic ipod) and they just don't respond at all. I have held the home button and the sleep button simultaneously for over 2 minutes many times, and nothing happens. When i plug them into the computer, nothing happens either... no chime to tell me a usb device was plugged in and no confirmation from itunes that anything was plugged in.
Whats strange is that, when I plugged it into the car charger this morning, I got the recovery image on one of them instructing me to plug it into my pc for itunes to recover it. By the time I made it inside, it went away and I was unable to recover it. I was thinking maybe I need to let them drain again until the battery is completely depleted, but without indication of how much battery is left, i could be waiting for a month.
Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas?Hi,
See these Support Articles...
Device Not Recognised
For PC
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1538
Device Frozen
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1445
Backing Up Restoring
The device must be restored from the computer it was last synced with...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414
HTH,
Cheers, -
My iPod won't respond to anything!!
my 20GB iPod has been working fine since I got my new one in July. Just last night, however, it wouldn't respond to anything. I tried everything and I followed all of the instructions in the "iPod Help" section of iTunes. when I plug my iPod into the wall charger, it won't do anything; when I plug it into my computer, it won't do anything. it won't turn on at all! I have no idea what to do.
I did that last night and nothing works. I know I don't have a dead battery because it was fully charged yesterday.
besides, when I plug it into something, nothing comes up; not even the little "charging" symbol. -
My ipod won't respond to anything. Its there anything I can do?
So my sister spilled her protein shake on the bottom of the front screen of my ipod touch. So I quickly wiped off the goo and sprayed it with some gentle cleanser and wiped it off as well. Well, I had just gotten the ipod a week ago and so the protective cover was still on, and still sticky. So I peeled the cover off only to find that underneath the cover was sticky too. So I sprayed and wiped. I also took a small toothpick and cleaned out the edges because there was shake gooped up in there too.
When I first turned on the ipod, screen's contrast was lighter; and it worked. Then after the cleaning, the screen apeared to be frozen and it still turned off and on. So I thought maybe I should plug it in to the charger and see if maybe it lost battery or that would unfreeze it. Soon after I turned it completely off, it would not respond to anything. It still is black and unresponsive to anything.
I would return the ipod, however, my mom got it for me six months ago for christmas, but then, they decided to get me a laptop. So my mom kept the ipod just in case I wanted to buy it from her. So when I got straight A's, my parents gave it to me as a gift. I am unsure if I can still return it to our local walmart after this long period of time.
Help would be much appreciated.Try here:
iPod touch: Hardware troubleshooting
However, the shake may have damaged the iPod and such damage is not covered by warranty. -
a week ago my shuffle stopped working. it wouldnt charge from a wall charger and the computer didnt recognize it. i let it sit for a few days and finally it responded to the wall charger. I fully charged it and used it a couple of times. then it stopped responding again. Same thing. compter wont recognize it (computer doesnt see it and no light on IPOD) and it doesnt respond to the wall charger. I know the computer and charger both work fine because another shuffle responds normally. any ideas?
Perhaps the battery is/was on its last legs.
-
I just recently purchased my nano. As instructed I loaded the software, but the ipod still isn't responding. I did the three RRRs as instructed and kept reloading the software, but still nothing. When I went to the device manager, it shows the ipod but it has this yellow exclamation point on top of the words ipod. After viewing the ipod properties it says "the drivers for this device are not installed (code 28). To reinstall the drivers for this device click Reinstall Driver." I click okay to reinstall the driver, put the ipod software cd back into the cd drive and it says it doesn't recognize it. The Ipod Updater will not recognize that the ipod is connected. I open iTunes and the ipod is still not showing. Can anyone help because I'm about ready to throw this darn ipod out into the swimming pool.
dell pentium 4 Windows XP yr purchased 2002Hey, thanks mazmedia.
I went through the entire post that you listed, but still my ipod will not open up in itunes and I can't even update it. So, I called the 1-800 # again and the rep had me go through my computer to make sure I had the appropriate hardware, which I do. After, we checked the device manager and looked at the USB controllers. The tech told me I need a USB 2.0 Hub to operate my ipod. Since I initially connected my ipod to my girl friend's Mac my computer system is not picking up the ipod. So, before I go to a computer store, and spend more money to get my ipod working, can someone tell me if getting a USB 2.0 Hub placed on my system, will do the trick.
People I'm desperate at this point because I'm ready to toss this pod in the pool.
boopadoop -
I don't what's wrong. I can't get my Ipod nano to do anything. I've tried to restart my computer with it attached but it doesn't even seem to communicate with my computer. It won't turn off. Nothing happens when I try the click wheel. Help please! The hold button is not on so I know that's not the problem. What do I do?
first toggle the hold swith then hold the menu and
center button down for a few seconds!!
FYI, that is a reset
And by the way, Welcome to the Discussions!
btabz -
IPod won't respond, stuck on "now playing"
As stated in the title, my ipod is frozen on the "now playing" screen. The iPod will not reset. Toggling the hold switch has no effect. Plugging the ipod into the wall has no effect (does not switch to the charging screen). My computer (PC) does not read the iPod. I tried downloading the iPod updater and doing that, but of course my computer does not recognize my iPod.
Any ideas?Matthew, I had a similar problem last night. Then this morning I just fiddled with it, going from one screen to another and it was fine again. Bizarre...
So you've tried to reset it? Toggle hold switch on and then off again, followed by holding down simultaneously Menu button + select button for about 6 seconds until screen goes off, then Apple logo appears.
I was suggested by a participant to this forum (King Cole) to restore the iPod. Try that if all fails:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983 -
Ok, so I plug in my touch 3rd gen and I can't tell if it is really charging. It doesn't seem like it is. I can only see the charging icon sometimes, and then after the icon goes away, the ipod won't respond! I'm not sure what to do. Than I thought the USB port was messed up because it doesn't always work, but I plugged it into a diferent port and it said on the ipod, charging isn't supported with this accessory.
Place the iOS device in Recovery Mode and then connect to your computer and restore via iTunes. The iPod will be erased.
iOS: Forgot passcode or device disabled
If recovery mode does not work try DFU mode.
How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
For how to restore:
iTunes: Restoring iOS software
To restore from backup see:
iOS: Back up and restore your iOS device with iCloud or iTunes
If you restore from iCloud backup the apps will be automatically downloaded. If you restore from iTunes backup the apps and music have to be in the iTunes library since synced media like apps and music are not included in the backup of the iOS device that iTunes makes.
You can redownload most iTunes purchases by:
Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store
If problem what happens or does not happen and when in the instructions? When you successfully get the iPod in recovery mode and connect to computer iTunes should say it found an iPod in recovery mode. -
My ipod mini freezed,now shows a sad ipod icon
Good Afternoon.
The last thing my ipod-mini did was to freeze on a song title without playing it,then when battery finished,after few hours it was only able to show the apple,then the sad icon and the address www.apple.com/sopport/ipod and the half battery icon as if recharging but not when connected to my pc.
My pc does not recognise it at all.
It is 20 months old not covered by insurance anymore.
What do you suggest?!
Thank you very much,
Jessica :o(Hey Jessica!
What you'll need to do is restore your iPod if it's experienceing the sad-faced icon on the screen.
Restoring is done in iTunes, though, so your iPod will need to be recognized in order to restore it.
First, try putting your iPod into disk mode, then connecting it to your computer to restore.
If that attempt doesn't work, then try the <a href="Five R's</a>, and check out the other things to try in this article -> <a href="http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61711">iPod isn't recognized in Windows or in iTunes
Also, please see Mitch 731's very useful post here; it's all about the sad iPod icon: Sad iPod icon/my iPod idsplays a folder icon with an exclamation point!
I hope that helps you.
-Kylene
If any post helps or solves your problem, please click the "Solved" or "Helpful" buttons on top of that post. Thank you for helping the boards! -
Seems like alot of people having this problem. Sad iPod thing.
I've had this iPod since Christmas. It's a 30g video one. It's worked great every day until today. Last week I left it in my car for about a week, got it out, plugged it in my computer to charge and it froze iTunes. So I unplugged it (nothing else I could do), and now it cycles between sad iPod saying "www.apple.com/support/ipod" and the apple sign and "Extremely low battery" for about 5m until it turns off. I've tried everything, including the "Disk Mode" thing, I've tried it about 500 times. It always does the same thing, goes back to sad iPod. Nothing responds when I plug it into the computer. Seen a few of the same problem but no answers. Please, if you can, let me know. I know if I take it in they'll say "It's corrupted gotta get a new one." Me and my cousin got these iPods on the same day, both broke within a week of each other.
Thanks.
Windows XPHello,
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�
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
My iPod ism’t resetting and isn’t being read by my computer
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4489387#4489387
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 -
I have a older Nano, I think I got it in 2004 or 2005 and I have a sad iPod icon, and it seems like my battery won't charge, the low battery icon appears but never seems to do anything. If I buy a new iPod will I be able to transfer my songs and playlists to the new one easily? Thanks.
If you are using automatic syncing to load the iPod, all songs on the iPod are in your iTunes music library. So, you won't need to transfer anything from the old nano. Just sync the new iPod from your iTunes library the same way.
If you use the Manually manage music setting, AND there are songs on the iPod that are not in your iTunes music library, you will need to off-load songs to your computer first. You cannot transfer song files from iPod to computer using iTunes (except for songs purchased from the iTunes Store). However, there are third-party methods and utilities that can transfer from iPod to computer. If you do a Google search on something like "ipod transfer" you should get some links.
Also, if this is a 1st gen iPod nano, you can check this article to see if it applies to you
http://www.apple.com/support/ipodnano_replacement/ -
3 A's on ipod and won't respond.
I have had issues with my 60g with video for about 2 months now. First the sad ipod icon, error messages that it couldn't update the ipod, failure to copy to disk....I ran the virus scan today, restored the ipod, installed itunes and re-registered the ipod with the original cd. Worked fine for about an hour. Now I have 3 letters of A on the screen, and will not respond. When I try to restore it, it gives me an error that there was a problem trying to download the ipod to the ipod.
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�
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=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
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
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