HT204307: Learn how to reset your iPod

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wrenchinwhtn

Q: iPod in locked mode no matter where the hold switch is located

Have a 30GB iPod that can not be take out of its locked mode.  Had connected it to my Windows 10 desktop pc to be recharged.  It had some charge, so the battery was not completely drained.  iTunes did launch when the iPod was connected and the display on the iPod did light up.  The message on the display was "Do not disconnect".  iTunes never recognized the iPod and a resync never began.  After four hours, the iPod still shows the same message, the battery symbol does not indicate the battery is being charged and the locked icon is in the upper left hand corner even though the switch is not in the located mode. Is there any hope that I can gain access again to my iPod as all my Christmas music is on it?

iPod (Click Wheel), Windows 10

Posted on Dec 22, 2015 2:26 PM

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Q: iPod in locked mode no matter where the hold switch is located

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Dec 22, 2015 2:32 PM in response to wrenchinwhtn
    Level 8 (38,406 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 22, 2015 2:32 PM in response to wrenchinwhtn

    If the iPod is unresponsive, try doing a Reset (restart iPod)

     

    Learn how to reset your iPod - Apple Support

  • by wrenchinwhtn,

    wrenchinwhtn wrenchinwhtn Dec 22, 2015 3:04 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 22, 2015 3:04 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Tried several times to reset the iPod without success.  The icon for the lock never changes, whether it is locked or unlocked.  The icon always shows the locked symbol.

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Dec 22, 2015 3:16 PM in response to wrenchinwhtn
    Level 8 (38,406 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 22, 2015 3:16 PM in response to wrenchinwhtn

    If the iPod is actually seeing the Hold switch as always being in the ON position (even when it is in the OFF position), that's a problem.  I just tried to do a Reset on my 4th gen iPod with the Hold switch set to ON; does not Reset.  The Hold switch on your iPod may be faulty.

  • by wrenchinwhtn,

    wrenchinwhtn wrenchinwhtn Dec 22, 2015 3:42 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 22, 2015 3:42 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    In addition to the Hold switch always showing in the hold position, the battery icon is never showing any change.  It showed no increase in charge while connected to a pc and has not shown any decrease in charge since being removed.  The display never goes into a sleep mode.  It should run out of battery life at some point.  My assumption is that the software in the iPod is now corrupt.

    Any thoughts on repairing/replacing this device?  I have an Android phone and not contemplating converting all of my music over to it.

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Dec 22, 2015 4:06 PM in response to wrenchinwhtn
    Level 8 (38,406 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 22, 2015 4:06 PM in response to wrenchinwhtn

    If this is a 4th gen iPod, it is fairly easy to pry open, with the plastic (nylon) tools to prevent damage.  If you open it, one thing you can try is disconnect the battery, wait about 30 seconds, and then reconnect it.  Also, since your iPod is continuously showing its screen, you can just wait until the battery is completely drained; that will cause a Reset when you connect it back to power.  See if the Hold switch is still stuck ON after that Reset.

     

    If you want to do the repair yourself, my suggestion is to buy a broken iPod of the same type on eBay.  Most hard-drive based iPods are broken because of the hard drive.  So, rather than buy the specific part, you can get a bunch of other spare parts for the same price (or less).  The component with the Hold switch (which also has the headphones jack) is different between the color screen model and monochrome screen model of 4th gen iPod.  And the thinner iPod has different "padding" around the component versus the thicker iPod.  If you can identify the specific model of 4th gen iPod you have, I can provide more specifics.  This document shows all the iPod models

     

    http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ipod/index-ipod-specs.html

     

    NOTE:  "iPod photo" and "iPod Color Display" are considered 4th gen iPods.

     

    This web site has good repair guides

     

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iPod_4th_Generation_or_Photo

  • by wrenchinwhtn,

    wrenchinwhtn wrenchinwhtn Dec 22, 2015 9:28 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 22, 2015 9:28 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Will try to reset the iPod tomorrow and will update you.  Thank you for your help so far.  I have a feeling that the software maybe corrupted. Can't test this theory right now but I think that iTunes should have recognized the iPod whether or not it was locked.

    Not sure at the present as to which generation iPad I have.  That too will be for tomorrow. Have attached a photo of the iPod I have.iPod_Photo.jpg

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Dec 22, 2015 9:36 PM in response to wrenchinwhtn
    Level 8 (38,406 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 22, 2015 9:36 PM in response to wrenchinwhtn

    That's actually a 5th gen iPod.  My personal experience fixing iPods is mostly 4th gen and earlier (plus recently an iPod mini).  So what I said about the parts is not for your iPod model.  The iFixit side does have repair guides for 5th gen iPod.  I DO know that the seam for 5th gen iPod is much tighter, so it's harder to open compared to 4th gen iPod.

  • by the fiend,Solvedanswer

    the fiend the fiend Dec 23, 2015 6:43 AM in response to wrenchinwhtn
    Level 6 (8,550 points)
    Dec 23, 2015 6:43 AM in response to wrenchinwhtn

    wrenchinwhtn wrote:

     

    The display never goes into a sleep mode.  It should run out of battery life at some point. 

     

    Correct, providing you leave it unplugged.

     

    Perhaps the iPod is simply "stuck" doing something to the point where it cannot change the display. If so, then your best bet is to leave the iPod alone for a while and wait for the battery to run down. Once that happens, the display will turn off. Don't watch it waiting for it to happen, just leave it alone for a day.

     

    When the battery is fully drained (which may be a while after the display turns off - which is why I suggest you don't watch for it to happen) you can then plug it into a power supply and wait for it to charge. It may take up to thirty minutes after plugging it into power before you see any reaction from the iPod. Then it has to "sort itself out", so it may be a while longer before it can fully respond.

     

    If that fails, then is the time to think about pulling it apart, but as Ken notes, the later iPods are very difficult to open, so you should regard it as a last resort.

  • by wrenchinwhtn,

    wrenchinwhtn wrenchinwhtn Dec 23, 2015 1:12 PM in response to the fiend
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 23, 2015 1:12 PM in response to the fiend

    As suggested, let the battery drain down and the display did die. The iPod sat for twelve hours and plugged it back into a charger, not back into the pc.  It seems to have recovered.  The music is still there and the display is functioning correctly.  Thanks.

  • by the fiend,

    the fiend the fiend Dec 23, 2015 2:10 PM in response to wrenchinwhtn
    Level 6 (8,550 points)
    Dec 23, 2015 2:10 PM in response to wrenchinwhtn

    You're welcome.