Q: Computer won't recognize new Shuffle

First, run through the Apple troubleshooting suggestions:

http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/shuffle2gen/

That is for an older version of the ipod, but I would imagine that it will give you some good ideas.

If none of that helps, I would suggest completely uninstalling all the Apple stuff and reinstalling. Go to add/remove programs and uninstall itunes and whatever else was installed for Apple - that includes their USB software.

Then, reinstall it all.

One other thing to try before doing all that is to shut down your computer and disconnect everything except for your keyboard, mouse and ipod. Then start it up again. If it comes up, then you know that some other USB thing on the bus was conflicting with your iPod. Also make sure you are connecting directly to the computer, not through a hub - just to make sure. If it works, then maybe try using the hub again. If it fails after that, you know it was the hub causing an issue. If it works, reconnect your USB items one at a time and restart after each reconnect until you find what was conflicting.

Hope that helps,
i

I too just got myself a 4th generation shuffle and also have had trouble with my computer recognizing the device. After a few attempts I was able to get my computer to recognize the shuffle long enough to sync my first playlist. When I went back a second time to edit it, NOTHIN'. My ports are fine, my printer is recognized and there are no errors present in the device manager. Ive went through all the diagnostics mentioned on the troubleshooting page. Perhaps it could be my handling that damaged the port, but I highly doubt it. Maybe a factory defect?

My apologies, didn't realize this was a mac specific thread.

Hardware or software related USB conflicts are the most thing to cause this. Try creating a new user under windows and logon using that fresh account and see what happens. If it works in that case, you know that there is something installed under your usual account that is causing the problem.

i

Same problem here. No solution to be found. I'm taking it back for an exchange.

I hate to admit it but I thought I had the same problem. Computer didn't recognize my new shuffle. Then I pushed the stereo mini connecter all the way into the shuffle and everything worked fine! The new shuffle takes more pressure than the older one to seat the stereo plug, be sure to push it all the way in until it "clicks".

That is a good point to bring up. Some folks are too timid and don't get the plug all the way in.

i

I just bought an ipod shuffle 4th gen. hooked it up to my laptop and the computer says.. the disk you have inserted is not readable by this computer. i go into disk utility to repair it and it won't let me
when i go into itunes it says that the ipod is corrupted. so i returned that one to the store and brought home another brand new shuffle... it says the same thing.... i called apple support and spent over an hour on the phone trying to fix it. trying everything from repair utility to deleting itunes and all it software and re-downloading it nothing works!! the tech on the phone told me that no one has been having problems with the new shuffle but i see on here and the net in my searches that there are a lot of problems with the shuffles new and old. and i know it's not my music on itunes because all of my songs were downloaded using itunes.
is there any way to fix this myself or should i just return it and cut my loss?

There is something going on with your setup on your computer. If you have seen this same thing with two different shuffles, that would be the most likely thing.

When you connect to your computer, connect the shuffle directly to your computer. Do not connect through a USB hub. Also, disconnect all other USB devices aside from your mouse and keyboard. See if the same thing happens. If it works, you know there is something conflicting on your USB.

If that does not work, I would suggest you uninstall and reinstall itunes. Here are instructions for that:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1224

Doing this will not screw up your library.

i

So bloody irritating!!! I've wasted hours over the last few days trying to connect a new Shuffle to any of our Macs. The instructions said plug it in and sync, but no computer would recognize it until I read this thread and learned you have to SHOVE the prong really hard. The "manual" that came with the Shuffle didn't say SHOVE it hard, just plug it in. Intuition says don't force things cause they break. It would help a lot if Apple could just state clearly you have to push hard... not everyone has used the bloodly jack connection style before.

Just went through 3-4 hours of exactly what wvdirtboy suffered through. I almost just drove back and returned the stupid shuffle.
Thank god I found this post.
Apple certainly doesn't want to inform you.
So I will repeat, yes
*"SHOVE THE PRONG IN REALLY HARD"* should be the first line of text in any
Ipod-Shuffle manual, help-forum, troubleshooting site etc.....

wow did you even read what i posted??? I have a brand new macbook pro straight out of the box.
there is not a problem with my laptop.... and just to be double sure i took it back to best buy
you know what the problem is... 1 shuffles suck too many small parts!
and 2 too many want to be computer nerds reading directions off apple.com
and p.s. seeing as you didn't read my original post i already deleted and re-downloaded itunes
itunes is not the problem the shuffles are pucked DO NOT BUY ONE!!!!!! buy a nano or classic.

Message was edited by: firechick4

Yes, read your post. You said that you had the same thing happen with two different shuffles. The only thing common to both of those shuffles is your computer.

I would be willing to bet that you can plug as many new shuffles as you like into your system and the same thing will happen - because the problem is with the system. Whether it is a new system or not, the most likely problem is with your computer.

Please try not to get angry with fellow users who are simply trying to help you solve your problems.


i

Recently ran into the same problem. Fortunately, I had my USB cable from a previous shuffle handy (the one with no buttons). Plugged it in (no hard pushing needed), and it worked just fine.

I think there might be a problem with the factory shipped USB cables. The two feel like they sit differently in the headphone jack.

Just thought I'd share this ... hope it helps someone.