Strange iPod updating issues

my 30 GB iPod photo has recently stopped updating by iTunes. when i plug it in to iTunes i get a message saying that the iPod cannot be read and must be restored using iPod updater. when i try to restore it with iPod updater i get a message saying "the iPod could not be unmounted because it is in use. Please close any open files on the iPod and try again." when i try to unmount it from finder to reset it and close any open files finder tells me it is in use and cant be ejected. im about at my wits end with this thing, the only thing i havent tried is re-installing iTunes. has anyone else had a similar experience and if so how did you fix it? thanks and sorry for the long post.
Mike

Hello
I am not sure whether this will address your issue, but have a read
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93499

Similar Messages

Ipod Updater issue

Not sure what's going on here. I was connecting my iPod to my computer and was asked if I wanted the new iPod update. I said "okay," but now it's randomly refused to have about 250 songs of mine load on my computer. It said something about I need to update the software? Didn't I just do that with the updater? I'm running iTunes 5 already. It's really strange, like it will pick one song from an album and say that my software is too old to upload that song....but it will gladly take the rest of the songs from that album. Someone please help. This is frustrating.

Download the latest updater from http://www.apple.com/ipod/download and install it, then run it and attach the iPod when it tells you to do so. This will let you update the iPod.
You need to have the latest ipod software to play music purchased from the music store.

IPod Updater issue & more

I have tried to correct the 'Do not disconnect' message from my nano iPod & nothing works. Have followed all suggested steps. I also tried iPod Updater & when I launch I get a message saying:'IPod service error'.
Help I have tried everything.
Thanks!

What exactly have you done to correct the message, so that we might suggest others?
With regards to the service error, check this out.....
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93716
David

Strange iPod updating

Hello - I updated my iTunes from version 5.x to 6.0.4.2 and my iPod to the latest firmware version the other day. Everything works fine except a strange new quirk - every time I update my iPod, iTunes now insists on copying across every song I've played on it since it was last plugged in.
So, if I plug it in, update, play a song in iTunes and update again, iTunes will needlessly copy that song across.
It wouldn't be so bad but I only have USB 1.0 and play a lot of songs in iTunes, so plugging my iPod in is getting to be a laborious process...
Can anyone help?
Thinkpad T30 Windows XP Pro 20gb clickwheel iPod

Did you fix this when it happened to you or just stomach it?
for me, it stopped happening after my upgrade to 6.0.0.18, and i stopped seeing other reports of it show up after the first 6.0.x versions had been released. so i had kind of assumed it was another of the kinky things to do with 5.0.0.35 and 5.0.1.4 that had been quietly fixed.
... apparently that's not precisely true ...
gaah. okay. let's try some experiments (i'm lucky enough to have USB 2.0 so it was easier for me to stomach this than it would be for you).
let's first create a smart playlist so we can try to keep track of the songs that haven't been played since you upgraded.
make it with the rule:
Last played is not in the last X days
... where "X" is the number of days since you upgraded +1 (just to be safe).
How to create a Smart Playlist with iTunes
now, head into that beast, and try playing one of those songs for a few seconds. then try another sync.
is that enough to prompt it to be transferred across to the ipod?
(thinking if it is, we could at least try steadily working through that playlist, playing songs for a few seconds ... and then get everything "spontaneously transferred" in one agonisingly-long sync ... at your convenience, rather than having you getting caught by this every time you go to sync until the end of time.)
love, b

Ipod update issues. podcast issues. tv show problems. very angry.

Ok. I have a barrage of problems. I went to the apple store and they gave me a new ipod hoping that fixes some of the issues. It didn't. I won't be in town for a while so I cant go back to the store.
First off. I originally had a post about my problems here.
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8362332#8362332
What changed from that, since getting the new ipod, is that I deleted all my tv shows ( i havnt even tried to replace them yet) I deleted and re-subscribed my podcasts. Now when i try to update my ipod, the podcasts freeze up and crash the ipod.
I have done EVERYTHING to try and fix this.
I fixed permissions.
Reinstalled, itunes and quicktime.
Deleted anything with itunes in it name.
Deleted preferences.
Deleted all my podcasts and re downloaded them.
This just started happening, i don't remember downloading anything to cause this.
If anyone can help, that would be cool.
Also, I get this on my console repeatedly,
11/3/08 12:40:13 AM com.apple.launchd[1] (com.app4mac.CheckUpAgent[1202]) posix_spawn("/Applications/CheckUp.app/Contents/MacOS/CheckUpAgent", ...): No such file or directory

Ok. New development. I have a bootable external and I backed everything up to it. I decided to boot into it, and voila! Everything plays and works fine. I updated my ipod and only one problem still exists. Podcast still transfer without me wanting them to. Everything else is fine. I'm beginning to wonder if its a hardware problem on my mac.

IPod update issue

I'm using a iPod 3g on 4.2.1, and i've been trying to update it. But whenever I check for updates it says 4.2.1 is the current version. I updated iTunes, and used different computers but no luck...

It is probably a 2nd gen ipod. Is it 8GB? If so, then it is second gen.
You can check:
Identifying iPod models

HT201413 IPOD update issue

i have an ipod 2nd generation (model MB528LL). i am trying to update to software 4.2.1 and I keep getting error cannot be restored (-1). Can anyone help?

i am having the same problem!!!! it is the exact same thing! did you ever get it fixed?

IPod updater issues!

Hi,
So, I've had my nano since Christmas and last week after listening to a podcast it gave me the folder with an exclamation point error message. Since that point in my life I have been trying to update my software as suggested. I ended up uninstalling iTunes and kept getting error messages when trying to install the newer version (itunes.cab not found). I was finally able to install iTunes and it is now working again. However, I am still having no luck with the updater. I've tried installing it about 10 times now. I thought it finally worked, since I seemingly made it through the install process, but alas it is just giving me an error message. After it says initializing it says iPod service error. I've also tried just using the stuff from the cd that came with it, but no luck there either. I am having nano withdrawals. If any fabulous person out there can give me some advice I would appreciate it. Thanks!
dell inspiron 1100 Windows XP

If you get a message with iPod Service Error please see if either of these two links are helpful:
iPod for Windows: Fast user switching in Windows XP is not supported
iPod appears in Windows Explorer but does not appear in iTunes
Regards
Colin R.

Strange ipod recognition issues?

using my macbook pro, my 1st gen shuffle is recognised as an old 3rd gen windows ipod with no serial number or software version showing. when i dock it to my other machines (a macbook and another macbook pro) it shows up fine and as an up to date shuffle. what gives?
all these machines run the latest version of itunes, and yes ive reinstalled itunes already a few times in the machine thats giving me trouble but still with the same result!
what is up with THIS version of itunes that it doesnt consider my shuffle as a shuffle and another one does?
is there a particular part or preferece of itunes that makes this decision that i can try trashing?
are there too many questions in this post?

Hello
I am not sure whether this will address your issue, but have a read
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93499

My new iPod Classic will not sync with my new Mac Book. My iPhone 5 does, so does 2nd gen. iPod touch. Apple Store cannot figure it out. Tried different Classics on different Macs, same thing. iTunes update issue ?

The iPod Classic I bought a month ago is not synching with my new Mac Book I bought 3 weeks ago. All the software was immediately updated. My iPhone 5 synchs fine, and so does my 2nd generaton iPod Touch. The original computer I synched all of these devices on was my HP latop. I bought my Mac and Classic to the Apple Store for a 'Genius Appt' and they could not figure out what the problem is. The connected my Classic to another computer and the same thing happens. It says device is not recognized. They also took other iPod Classics and connected them to my Mac and other Macs. The same thing was happening. They took notes and said it probably is an iTunes update issue.
I can manually drag songs into my Classic but I lost all playlists because it cannot be backed up as well and they had to restore it. For now I am holding on to it but it's usless to me if I cannot use it the way I liked too. I used it for the gym and bike riding and my last iPod battery died after 6 years. A charge would last 45 miutes. I love the Classic for what I use it for but it's a $275 brick to me now. At least the renewed by receipt so I can get a full refund.
Is anyone else seeing this issue ? The Apple Store employee said he saw a first generation iPad havng the same issue. As of now the Support Dest is unaware of this. As much as I love my new Mac I am disappointed I cannot sync my new Classic to it. Total bummer.
Any help would be apprecated.

By the way, I totally restored everything. It was ok. It starts to 'unrecognize' my iPod Classic when it comes to synching with iPhoto. After this happened all the menus disappeared from my iPod (music, Podcasts, movies synched fine). It seems to be a problem when synching with iPhoto. It was the same thing before.

IPod Updater/Strange Symbol on screen

I just updated my click wheel iPod with the latest iPod updater software, at the point it told me to connect to an external power source for the firmware update I did so and was greeted with a symbol on the screen that looks like the connector that goes into the bottom of the iPod. I tried to reset by pressing the menu and play buttons simultaneously but that did not help, I'm still getting only that symbol. ITunes will not recognize the iPod in this state. Help!
Lori

I have tried both of those, just downloaded the latest updater and my computer is telling me the USB device is not recognized. When I plug it into a power outlet that same symbol comes up, nothing else. Ditto when I try to manually reset.
I've even tried to connect it to power sitting in the dock and without the dock, neither works...

Ipod update download issue

i am downloading the latest ipod update and during the download a message came up and said that there was a connection error and now its downloaded 180.7 MB out of 165 MB so far and the progress bar is extending over the stop button. is there something wrong with the file?

you get it from here...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/ipodupdater20050906.html
note that it does not add screen lock to previous models, this 'update' only adds support for the ipod nano, it is otherwise identical to the ipod updater released almost three months ago

Ipod updater broke my ipod

To whom it may concern,
My name is Benji. I am one of the customer of apple and Mac. I got many staffs from apple, and I believe it's really a good company. Unfortunately, one day after I used the ipod updater 2005-9-23, one of my ipod, an ipod mini 4GB lost it functionality. The situation is like after installion the ipod updater, a apple logo shown on the screen of my ipod mini, and then suddenly, a folder logo appear with "www.apple.com/support/ipod". I did search on that website and got no solution. Then I went to one of the apple store which is in Staten Island mall for assistance. I made an assigment there, and the staff who responds to my case told me that they couldn't fix it, since mine is an old generation ipod. I asked him whether that ipod updater granteen the safety of user, he then told me to post my situation online to you to see whether I would get a replacement or any refund on it. Please help me, since that ipod is the gift from my girl friend. And I did read the requirment before installation. I hope apple would reponds to this accident.
Thank you so much,
To install and use iPod Software 1.4 for iPod mini and iPod Software 3.1 for iPod with Click Wheel, you need:
• An iPod mini or an iPod with Click Wheel
• A PC with a high-power USB port or card (USB 2.0 recommended), or FireWire* port or card
• Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later
• iTunes 4.7 or later
Updated September 15, 2005
Message was edited by: ipod updater

further info ...
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 or ifixit at your own risk
http://www.ipodresq.com/index.php
http://www.ifixit.com/
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
Spank your iPod
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ljPhrFUaOY
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

How do I open iPod updater!?

I don't know how to open iPod updater to restore my iPod. I've heard that it is now built into iTunes version 7.0, but I didn't know how with old versions either, and now my old 20gig has crashed. I get the "sad iPod" icon. If it's built into v7.0, and my iPod isn't recognized by iTunes, what can I do? 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/
In case you need an old versions (window only)
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 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”
Exclamation point and folder and nothing else
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2997880
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.

** Strange iPod Shuffle 512 Problem **

Not sure what is going on with my 512 Shuffle, but I am almost certain it's not a hardware issue.
Anyone with insights, please post... Here's the story:
Problem first manifested itself as a Shuffle that reported incorrect memory capacity; the iPod Updater reported that it had a capacity of 114 MB, and iTunes reported that it was 83 MB full, with 31 MB Free (STRANGE, huh -- iTunes lists the Shuffle as empty, BTW). Regarless of what I copy onto the Shuffle it will not play -- it simply alternates amber/green LEDs.
I believed I had a HW problem. Went to my local Apple store, had a "Genius" look at it and he quickly swapped it out. The nice gentleman placed a few tunes on the new Shuffle, I verified that it played, and drove home. After plugging it in and launching iTunes, it began to behave exactly as the last one did. AAARRRGGGHHHHH!
Just to isolate the issue, I installed the new FW 1.1.2 and iTunes 6.0.1 on another computer (one that has never had either piece of software installed). Guess what, it all works perfectly.... So I'm now concluding that there is something amis on the primary computer; specifically with the USB entry for the device (I think).
So here's the rub... I've removed iTunes, and all other remnants of "Apple," "iTunes," "iPod," etc. I can find on the disc and in the Windows Regsitry. However, no matter how deep I explore, I can't seem to undue whatever is hosed on this computer.
Is there a forum post or some registry utility that I can use to kill all instances of my shuffle? Given my success on the other system, I'm hoping that if I can truely start from ground zero, I'll be okay. But for the life of me, I can't seem to get there.
THANKS IN ADVANCE......

I REALLY don't want to have to bvlow away and reinstall Windows XP. Anyone have experience here? My best guess would be a refresh of the Shuffle USB Windows Registry settings. Any know of an some undreground Apple utility?

Strange iPod updating issues

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