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