| 1) First
off, connect your iPod to your computer and then restart your
computer. Sometimes that's a quick and easy fix. Also try restarting your
iPod. |
2) If restarting
doesn't work, try forcing
your iPod into Disk Mode. |
3) Does your iPod
appear in Windows Explorer or on the OS X Desktop but not in iTunes
or iPod Updater? There may be a software conflict,
or the iPod software didn't load properly. You may see an "iPod Service
Error" alert
or a "Please Reinstall iTunes" message. |
 4) Maybe
the USB or FireWire port you are using to connect your iPod to
your computer is the problem.
Try plugging your
iPod into another port. Also try unplugging all extra
devices (cameras, scanners, Palm Pilots, etc) from your computer.
Sometimes when chained together, these devices can drain all
the power from your USB/FireWire ports and prevent other devices
from functioning properly. Apple's iSight camera
is one such problematic device.
If you are using a
USB or FireWire card, make sure it's Windows
Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certified
(PC only). Also
check with the manufacturer. There may be Firmware updates available
for the card(s) that can solve this iPod connection problem.
| NERD
NOTE: The front USB port on most computers
is USB 1.1 but your iPod needs a high-power USB 2.0
port so try the port in the back of your PC. Low-power
ports such as the USB port on your keyboard or
bus-powered USB hub don't have enough juice to mount
your iPod. |
|
 5) If you have
access to another iPod, try plugging it into your computer. This
can help you narrow down if the issue is with your iPod or your
computer. |
6) Is your
operating system up to date? Mac users should run Software Update
(Applications > System Preferences) and PC users should check
windowsupdate.com.
Also remember that iTunes
only works with Windows 2000/XP and Mac OS X. |
 7) While your
iPod is plugged into your computer, open iTunes. iTunes may
automatically detect a software update necessary for your iPod.
If not, try updating your version of iTunes and
the iPod's firmware with
the latest version from Apple's website. DO NOT REINSTALL FROM
THE CD THAT CAME WITH YOUR iPOD. The software on that CD is old
and out of date.
You could also try
reinstalling iTunes. If the updater or iTunes
still doesn't recognize your iPod, keep reading. |
8) Let's try uninstalling
iTunes and then reinstalling the iPod and iTunes software. Remove
iTunes software and then reinstall iPod and iTunes software
from latest versions on the web.
|
 9) What
sex is your iPod, Mac or PC? You might be trying to use a Mac (HFS+)
iPod on a PC (fat32). Mac iPods will not work on a PC until
they are reformatted to Fat32. PC iPods can work with both Mac
and PC computers.
You can use the iPod
Software Updater to reformat your iPod for Mac
or PC. |
10) Kill specific
preferences related to your iPod.
PC users: Go to
the Run command (START menu). Run msconfig.
Uncheck iPod watcher. The error message should disappear
and the iPod should mount.
 Mac
OS X Users can try to delete this file if your iPod won't
show up in the firmware updater.
1. Navigate to /System/Library/Extensions/
2. Drag the "iPodDriver.kext" file to the Trash.
3. Enter an administrator account name and password when prompted.
4. Click OK.
Or do it in the
Terminal (Mac OS X only)
1. Open Terminal (/Applications/Utilities).
2. Type: sudo rm -R /System/Library/Extensions/iPodDriver.kext
3. Press Return.
4. Enter the administrator account password when prompted.
5. Quit Terminal.
|
11) Try hooking
your iPod up to another computer. If you see the same problem,
then you know the issue is definitely with your iPod and not
your computer. If you are able to get a stable iPod connection
with another computer, then try to erase
and restore your iPod. If possible, you may want to backup your
files or rip all the music off
first before you wipe your iPod. |
12) Can
you start up off a CD and then try to erase the iPod? Put in
a disk repair CD like Disk
Warrior or an operating software install CD like OS
X,
then hold down the "c" key and restart (Mac only).
1. Put the OS X
CD in the computer, then restart while holding down the "c" key.
2. DONT INSTALL THE OS AGAIN. select Disk Utility from under the Apple menu
3. Plug the iPod into your computer
4. Run the Disk Utility on the iPod
Also, windows users should run scandisk and defrag every one
to three months. |
13) Is your cable
bad or not plugged in all the way?
- Make sure that
you are using the cable that came with your iPod. Some third-party
cables may not jive properly with your iPod.
- Make sure the
cable is completely plugged in.
- Borrow an iPod
cable from a friend.
|
14) Oh no,
none of the above worked? If none of
these suggestions helped, you may have a hardware problem. Check
out our VIP
Repair Service for more information and how to get
it fixed. |
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