ironpham

So, I'm having this huge pain in the ass issue. I'm running Windows XP which is reading the iPod Nano just fine (shows up as a storage drive and everything). iTunes, however, does not detect it at all.

A couple of days ago, when I first got everything, it detected it just fine. Half of my library was in iTunes and synced up with the iPod (I don't know why only half but it was a start). Then, it asked me if I wanted to update the iPod. Sure, why not? So, it's in the process of updating, and it froze. I ended iTunes and tried to start it up again. Now, when it comes up, the iPod doesn't get read.

Here's what I've tried:
Uninstalling and deleting anything iPod/iTunes and reinstalling (a gajillion times)
Restarting the iPod.
Plugging the iPod into my laptop to finish the update (1.0.2 -> 1.0.3) and bringing it back.
Downloading a program that deletes all install files from the registry.
Several different older versions of iTunes.

Honestly, I'm running out of ideas and patience. I really do like this iPod, and I like that it can play movies. I am thinking about returning it though just so I don't have to put up with this shit anymore.

If anyone has any ideas at all, HELP ME!

Redlemon

Have you tried a different USB port? (I know it shows up in Explorer, but it is still worth a shot). Make sure it is a fully-powered port, just for good luck.

__________________
I can't read your signature. Sorry.

ironpham

Yeah, I've used all of my USB ports.

jewels

Disqualifier: I'm not a professional, but ...

This happened to me with mine on an old desktop. I never found the problem but what I did was restore the iPod to new and instead of synching, I treat the pod as a flash drive and manually add and delete as I see fit. This took care of the problem.

After a couple of times, you'll devise your own system and it'll become easier. Mine's only 4GB but I still would get bored if I synched anyway.

__________________
We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain

ironpham

That's not a bad idea. I'll do that if I can't find any other solution. Thanks.

Shauk

you know what it is, is the factory usb cable that apple gives out with thier ipods suck balls.

it's flimsy, unshielded crap that is fragile as a twig.

I've had nothing but problems with them

ubertuber

That's not it. Not if the computer picks the iPod up as an available drive. Sounds to me as though the software on the iPod got corrupted. When you are "restarting" your iPod, are you doing it by turning it off and on again, or through the hard restart method (holding menu and play for ~ 10 seconds)? A hard restart is your best method for getting the iPod to show up in iTunes. Then restore it using iTunes, which wipes it completely and reinstalls the iPod's software.

Your next option after that is to make an appointment at your local Apple Store's Genius Bar. Generally an iPod problem like yours is either solved in about 10 minutes or the iPod is replaced with a new, working model.

If these don't work, let me know and I'll look into it a little more. I've got some resources.

__________________
Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam

ironpham

I did the hold menu and the middle button method to restart it. It still would not show up. Using iTunes on my laptop reads the iPod just fine. Unfortunately, the amount of music on my laptop = less than half the amount of music on my desktop. I suppose if worse comes to worst I can head over to my parents house and steal an external HD to transfer all the stuff over. But, in the end, I still download all my music to my desktop and would, therefore, prefer to use the iTunes on the desktop.

I guess I'll try the Apple Store Genius next week sometime.

Shauk

I still think it is. I've had it tell me my ipod is unrecognizable. I just change out the cable or twist around with it and plug/replug it until it works, but just moving the cable around can disconnect it or cause it to stop charging.

I've gone through 3 cables due to this shit. all the troubleshooting advice is crap if it's your usb cables causing false positives.

yes, IPOD's CAN be corrupt, MAY need to be reset, but in most cases (with the 3 I have here) it's these fucking flimsy ass cables (yet itunes will still prompt me to format the motherfucker, kiss my ass apple, it works fine, your cable is confusing the software into thinking its a toaster when it's in perfect condition.)

with this being such a widespread COMMON issue you'd think apple was incapable of producing a retail worthy product, but it really comes down to the cable, in my experience. (srsly, 3 out of 3? gimmie a break)

ironpham

When I go see the Apple Store Genius, I'll get another cable too, Shauk.

ubertuber

Hey Shauk:

I just want to be clear... I'm not trying to turn this into a pissing contest or anything. It's certainly possible that there is a cable malfunction, but this doesn't sound like one. Frankly, I'd be astonished if it was. My perspective comes from being the guy at the other side of the Genius Bar. We see lots of cases of corruption, and hardly any of cable failure. Here's what makes me think that it's a corruption:

1) It happened when the iPod froze during a software update.
2) The cable worked before and since
3) The iPod is recognized as a drive by the PC.
4) The only verifiable cable failure I've seen is from a girl who wound it too tightly and broke the wires inside.

Ironpham, I had an iPod nano today that was behaving exactly as yours is. I was able to bring it back by doing the following.

Hook it up to the PC while both are on. Let the PC recognize the drive and verify that iTunes isn't seeing the iPod as an iPod. While still hooked up to the PC, perform a hard reset (menu and play together for ~10 seconds, until iPod restarts). It may take a few seconds, but at this point iTunes should recognize that there is an iPod attached. In the summary tab for your iPod (in iTunes), click the restore button. This will wipe the iPod entirely and replace it with a new installation of the software.

Alternately, use the laptop to restore the iPod to factory condition. At the very least you can rule out software as the problem this way. This is the first thing the guys at your Apple Store will do.

If that doesn't work... Go to the Apple Store. Unfortunately, you may end up in a bind if they can see the iPod working perfectly. On the other hand, they may be able to make specific suggestions of things to try with your computer. If you don't want to wait, you get 1 phone support call for free in the first 90 days. Apple Care can usually walk you through things on the phone.

Last resort, you don't necessarily need an external drive. Since the iPod is showing up as an external drive, you can move your music over using disk mode.

File moving installations for iPod in disk mode. There is a part about adding the music files to the new iTunes library.

__________________
Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam

Shauk

well i just think if the firmware was bad then it wouldn't work on his laptop either.

not a pissing contest, just pissed in general at how common this problem is for a retail device. It should be a non-issue, but you can pull up dozens and dozens of websites on this same problem. All of them say pretty much verbatim what apple says, but I just use a different cable and "oh lookie there, it works perfectly" which just basically ruins the credibility of the troubleshooting advice that apple dispenses "to me" anyway.

I could be wrong, who knows.

oh I guess I forgot to mention the ipod I bought, the earbuds that came with it were folded (yes folded the wires 180 degrees back on itself or as close as possible) and one of the folds had a split in the tubing. Minor cosmetic scuff really, but the sliding rubber piece that you move to the end of the cord to keep the earbuds from becoming crazy tangled when you wrap them around the ipod to toss in your pocket for a while when you arent using it has rubbed that scuff to the point of stripping the tubing and exposing the actual wiring.

this also is an example that leads me to believe that apple just kind of sucks at this whole "wires" thing.

not trying to piss in anyone's cheerios, just heated about my experience.

I'll bet i'm probably wrong on whats wrong with this guy's ipod but oh well. at least I will have the "alternative" view point when it comes to how to solve issues with this thing when 90% of the google results will give you pretty much the same runaround in fixing this criminally common issue.