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