| The sad face appears on your iPod screen. You | | | | You are now in Diagnostic Mode. Navigate the |
| hear a clicking sound (the sound of the hard | | | | list of tests using "REW" and "FFW". The |
| drive having difficulty spinning). | | | | scroll wheel will not function while in |
| | | | diagnostic mode. For further details on |
| Have you had these 3 problems going on with | | | | Diagnostic mode can be found at Try to do |
| your iPod? Then this method just might make | | | | the 5in1, HDD R/W and HDD scan tests. Some |
| your iPod start working again! | | | | successful cases have been reported after the |
| | | | running the few tests under the Diagnostic |
| Steps | | | | mode. In case it does not work in your case, |
| | | | and the scan tests reports show some errors |
| 1. Turn your iPod on. Make sure the battery | | | | then it proves your iPod has a hardware |
| is charged up enough to turn it on. | | | | problem and it needs a repairing service. |
| | | | |
| 2. The sad iPod or sad folder should pop up | | | | * Format your iPod with a start disk:o I have |
| on the screen. | | | | not tried this solution myself, I heard that |
| | | | there were few successful cases that the |
| 3. Put your ear up against the iPod and you | | | | users managed to get their iPod (you must put |
| will hear the clicking sound inside (it | | | | your iPod in disk mode before connecting with |
| sounds like a car trying to start up, | | | | a computer) mounted by the computer, which |
| whenever it takes a few tries turning the | | | | was booted by a system startup disk. For Mac, |
| keys) | | | | you can use the Disk Utility (on the Tiger OS |
| | | | system disk), for PC user, you can use the |
| 4. While the iPod is still making these | | | | window OS system disk. Try to find a way to |
| sounds, take the iPod in one hand, open the | | | | reformat your iPod, again it does not matter |
| palm of your other hand, and smack the narrow | | | | which format (FAT32, NTFS or HFS+) you |
| side of the iPod against the palm of your | | | | choose, the key is to erase the corrupted |
| other hand. [WARNING: This method is proven | | | | system files on the iPod. Then eject your |
| to work as an effortless way to repair iPod | | | | iPod and do a Reset to switch out from Disk |
| hard drive misalignment, but it may result in | | | | Mode. Reboot your computer at the normal way, |
| future hardware problems. This is only a | | | | connect your iPod back with it, open the iPod |
| TEMPORARY solution to fixing an iPod, and the | | | | updater, and hopefully your iPod will appear |
| problem may come back (experiences vary). | | | | there for the Restore. |
| Other methods of reviving a dead iPod are | | | | |
| available below and may be much safer] | | | | 12. The next tutorial will teach you how to |
| | | | open up your iPod and attempt to fix it. This |
| 5. Continue smacking it on its side for at | | | | should probably be done as a last resort, for |
| least 6 times, while the iPod is trying to | | | | opening your iPod will most likely void your |
| turn on. The key is to loosen the hard drive. | | | | warranty. In addition, if executed wrong, |
| | | | your iPod may sustain permanant damage while |
| 6. After this is should resume normal | | | | your problem may have ben easily aided by |
| function. If it doesn't, read below. | | | | other processes. |
| | | | |
| 7. There are several methods out there that | | | | * The best tutorial I've read on how to open |
| have all successfully fixed iPods, so don't | | | | an iPod is here: |
| give up hope yet. | | | | |
| | | | 13. That tutorial is how to open a 3rd/4th |
| 8. If, however, you are a more hands-on type | | | | Generation iPod, although most are similarly |
| of person and don't want to bother trying | | | | done. Google it if you're not satisfied and |
| iPod aid through your computer, skip to the | | | | want more detail; there are a lot of great |
| bottom of this steps page for info on how to | | | | sites out there. |
| open and repair internally. | | | | |
| | | | * Once inside, there are a number of methods |
| 9. The first reccomended steps are from | | | | you can use that have all been used to fix |
| Apple's support website. | | | | iPod problems. Make sure the hold switch is |
| | | | on! You don't want to hit a button and mess |
| 1. Try to wait 30 minutes while iPod is | | | | something up! The methods will be listed in |
| charging. | | | | order of how successful I believe they are. |
| | | | |
| 2. Try another FireWire or USB through Dock | | | | 14. Disconnecting the Hard Drive and Booting |
| Connector cable. | | | | Method. |
| | | | |
| 3. Try another FireWire or USB port on your | | | | 1. Now that your iPod is open, you should see |
| computer . | | | | your hard drive lying flat on top. The ribbon |
| | | | cable attached to the hard drive is |
| 4. Try to disconnect all devices from your | | | | detachable, so don't be scared. |
| computer's FireWire and USB ports. | | | | |
| | | | 2. Gently pull the hard drive away from the |
| 5. Try to download and install the latest | | | | cable in which it's connected, while holding |
| version of iPod software and iTunes. | | | | the cable lightly in hand. You don't want to |
| | | | rip it out the motherboard. |
| 6. Try these five steps (known as the five | | | | |
| Rs) and it would conquer most iPod issues. | | | | 3. Your hard drive should easily break free. |
| | | | Now that it's out, you can play with it, look |
| 7. Try to put the iPod into Disk Mode if it | | | | around, but the point is to give it a little |
| fails to appear on the desktop. | | | | rest. |
| | | | |
| 10. If none of the above has worked for you, | | | | 4. Next, now that the hard drive is out, |
| then you should try the following: | | | | carefully flip your iPod over so you're |
| | | | looking at the screen. Be careful not to rip |
| 1. Try to connect your iPod with another | | | | the ribbon cable by the hold switch. |
| computer with the iPod updater pre-installed. | | | | |
| | | | 5. Take the iPod off of hold function, thus |
| 2. Still can't see your iPod, put it in Disk | | | | enabling the buttons once again. |
| Mode and connect with a computer, instead of | | | | |
| doing a Restore on iPod Updater. Go and | | | | 6. Turn the iPod on. You may recieve an error |
| format the iPod instead. | | | | message, and you may be able to access menus. |
| | | | |
| 1. For Mac computer: | | | | 1. If you get an error message, try |
| | | | restarting the iPod. |
| 1. Open the disk utility, hope your iPod | | | | |
| appears there (left hand side), highlight it | | | | 7. Now turn the iPod off. |
| | | | |
| 2. Go to Tab "Partition", click either | | | | 8. Reactivate the hold switch. Your |
| "Delete" or "Partition", if fails, skip this | | | | experiment is complete. |
| step and go to 3 | | | | |
| | | | 9. Reconnect the hard drive as found before, |
| 3. Go to Tab "Erase" , choose Volume Format | | | | and carefully replace the back cover. Hope it |
| as "MAC OS Extended (Journaled), and click | | | | works. |
| Erase, again if fails, skip it and go to 4 | | | | |
| | | | 15. Business Card Method. |
| 4. Same as step 3, but open the "Security | | | | |
| Options...." and choose "Zero Out Data" | | | | 1. Now that your iPod is open, you should see |
| before click Erase. It will take 1 to 2 hours | | | | your hard drive lying flat on top. |
| to complete. | | | | |
| | | | 2. Take a regular business card and fold it |
| 5. Eject your iPod and do a Reset | | | | in half. |
| | | | |
| 6. Open the iPod Updater and click "Restore" | | | | 3. Place the folded business card on top of |
| | | | the hard drive. (The idea is that your iPod's |
| 2. For Windows computer: | | | | hard drive is too loose and the folded |
| | | | business card will put pressure on it when |
| 1. Go to folder "My Computer" | | | | enclosed for a successful spin and no click. |
| | | | This works often). Don't fold it more than |
| 2. Hope you can see your iPod there and right | | | | once unless you have a reason, because more |
| click on the iPod | | | | pressure on the hard drive may keep it from |
| | | | spinning, causing even more problems. |
| 3. Choose "Format". Ensure the settings are | | | | |
| at "Default" and that "Quick Format" is not | | | | 4. Carefully place the lid back on the iPod, |
| checked | | | | making sure the card is in place correctly. |
| | | | |
| 4. Now select "Format" | | | | 5. Close up your iPod and hope it works. |
| | | | |
| 5. Eject your iPod and do a Reset | | | | 16. Time to Spend Some $$ Method. |
| | | | |
| 6. Open the iPod Updater and click "Restore" | | | | 1. Get a job. |
| | | | |
| 7. In case you do not manage to do a "Format" | | | | 2. You probably have a hardware problem (like |
| on a window computer, try to use some 3rd | | | | me), and you probably need a new hard drive. |
| party disk utility software, e.g."Partition | | | | Google it. eBay it. A regular replacement |
| Magic". | | | | hard drive isn't as much as a new iPod, but |
| | | | you'll have to shell out a couple bucks if |
| 3. Windows users having trouble with their | | | | you want it fixed. |
| iPods should locate a Mac user. In many cases | | | | |
| when an iPod won't show up on a PC that it | | | | 3. Look at it as an opportunity to upgrade. |
| will show up on the Mac. Then it can be | | | | Maybe look into buying a bigger hard drive to |
| restored. When the PC user returns to his | | | | hold more useless shit. It'll still cost less |
| computer the iPod will be recognized by the | | | | than a new iPod. |
| PC, reformatted for the PC, and usable again. | | | | |
| By the way, it works in reverse too. A Mac | | | | 4. Read above for info on how to replace your |
| user often can get his iPod back by | | | | hard drive. It's not hard. |
| connecting it to a PC and restoring it. | | | | |
| Note:* It does not matter whether the format | | | | 5. Pray it's a hard drive problem after you |
| is completed or not, the key is to erase (or | | | | bought one and can't return it. |
| partly) the corrupted firmware files on the | | | | |
| Hard Drive of the iPod. After that, when the | | | | 17. If you've read this far, you've tried |
| iPod re-connected with a computer, it will be | | | | everything, and your iPod still isn't fixed, |
| recognized as an fresh external hard drive, | | | | then ask someone else already. You've been up |
| it will show up on the iPod updater.* It is | | | | all night reading this tutorial and trying my |
| not a difficult issue for a Mac user to find | | | | methods and you're probably sick of this |
| a window base computer, for a PC user, if | | | | anyway. Or just steal your friend's iPod. |
| they can't find any Mac user, they can go to | | | | |
| a nearest Apple Shop for a favor.* You may | | | | Tips |
| need to switch around the PC and Mac, try to | | | | |
| do several attempts between "Format" and | | | | * Make sure that the iPod has enough battery |
| "Restore" | | | | power to turn on. |
| | | | |
| 11. iPod still doesn't work? Keep going with | | | | * An alternative is open up your iPod (which |
| these steps. | | | | voids the warranty) and squeeze the drive and |
| | | | it's enclosing padding. There is apparently |
| * Diagnostic mode solution:o If you have | | | | some grounding that can come loose and this |
| tried trouble shooting your iPod to no avail | | | | can fix things up again. This worked for me |
| after all the steps above, chances are your | | | | and a friend and if you are very careful when |
| iPod has a hardware problem. The iPod's | | | | you open the case, it is less violent than |
| built-in Diagnostic Mode is a quick and easy | | | | smacking it around. |
| way to determine if you have a "bad" iPod.o | | | | |
| You need to restart your iPod before putting | | | | * You can also go to an Apple store and ask |
| it into Diagnostic Mode. Check that your hold | | | | to replace the battery! They are happy to |
| switch is off by sliding the switch away from | | | | help you! |
| the headphone jack. Toggle it on and off to | | | | |
| be safe.o Press and hold the following | | | | * Don't steal your friend's iPod. |
| combination of buttons simultaneously for | | | | |
| approximately 10 seconds to reset the iPod. | | | | Warnings |
| | | | |
| + iPod 1G to 3G: "Menu" and "Play/Pause" | | | | * Before trying these methods, contact Apple |
| | | | and see if you can get your iPod replaced for |
| + iPod 4G+ (includes Photo, Nano, Video, and | | | | free. |
| Mini): "Menu" and "Select"o The Apple logo | | | | |
| will appear and you should feel the hard | | | | * This method should only be as a last |
| drive spinning up. Press and hold the | | | | resort. If Apple's suggestions do not work, |
| following sequence of buttons: | | | | first try running a chkdsk function on your |
| | | | iPod. |
| + iPod 1G to 3G: "REW", "FFW" and "Select" | | | | |
| | | | * Do not break the hard drive! |
| + iPod 4G+ (includes Photo, Nano, Video, and | | | | |
| Mini): "Back" and "Select"o You will hear an | | | | Courtesy of |
| audible chirp sound (3G models and higher) | | | | |
| and the Apple logo should appear backwards. | | | | , the best place for your iPod. |