15owls

Q: Can't sync iTunes purchases to my iPod Model MA477LL.   HELP!

I have a iPod Model MA477LL about 10 years old; and haven't had any issues buying iTunes songs and then just plugging in this iPod into my MacBook Pro (2012), but my latest purchase (shows up on my computer) but will not sync over to this iPod.  After messing with it all day today, now when I plug in the iPod, it doesn't even show up in iTunes.  Help!  I am very computer illiterate.   Thank you.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Mar 7, 2016 6:26 PM

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Q: Can't sync iTunes purchases to my iPod Model MA477LL.   HELP!

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,Helpful

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Mar 8, 2016 10:18 AM in response to 15owls
    Level 8 (38,766 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 8, 2016 10:18 AM in response to 15owls

    Hopefully, all of your songs are in your iTunes library on the Mac, so that you an do a Restore on the iPod if necessary.  First, do a regular Reset (restart) on the iPod (doest not affect data)

     

    Learn how to reset your iPod - Apple Support

     

    and then connect it to your Mac running iTunes.  Does it appear in iTunes? 

  • by 15owls,

    15owls 15owls Mar 8, 2016 10:27 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 8, 2016 10:27 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Thanks for replying, but it didn't help.  My iPod is an old one, maybe 10 years old so its probably a 2nd generation one.  There was a setting for "reset settings" and when I clicked on it, I got a screen of different languages, with English at the top... of course when I went to press English, my finger slipped down and now its in Japanese which I cannot get out of.  Any suggestions?  Maybe I just need a new iPod?  Sorry, but as you can see, I am not too computer literate!...  I give up.  Still in Japanese and can't get out of that so I have no idea of where I am on my iPod.... the songs come up in English, but nothing else.  I'm wasting too much time on this..... ugh.

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Mar 8, 2016 2:11 PM in response to 15owls
    Level 8 (38,766 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 8, 2016 2:11 PM in response to 15owls

    The Reset Settings command is the last one on the Settings screen.  So, if you can find the Settings screen (even if it's in Japanese), scroll to the last item on that screen (at the bottom), and select it.  Then, you'll see the language setting screen again.

     

    A 10-year-old iPod is around 4th gen or 5th gen.   Does it have a color screen, or monochrome screen?  Does it have a click wheel, or a touch wheel with separate control buttons?  It can't be older than 4th gen if you are using USB to connect it and charge it.  3rd gen iPod and older need a FireWire port.  Take a look at here to find your iPod type.

     

    Identify your iPod model - Apple Support

     

    The next thing to try is to put the iPod into Disk Mode

     

    Putting iPod into Disk Mode - Apple Support

     

    Run iTunes on the Mac and connect the iPod.  If iTunes picks it up, it may prompt you to do a Restore with a message about "recovery."  The Restore erases the iPod, reinstalls its software, and sets it to default settings.  If that's OK (because all of your songs are in your iTunes library), tell iTunes to proceed with the Restore.

     

    NOTE: If your iPod is still not recognized, even in Disk Mode, try a different USB docking cable if you have one.  The reason for your problem may actually be a faulty USB docking cable that is worn out and no longer connecting to the iPod.  The cause may also be the dock connector on the iPod.

  • by 15owls,

    15owls 15owls Mar 9, 2016 3:48 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 9, 2016 3:48 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Hi.... Appreciate your help; however, I could not get out of the Japanese language  - I have an iPod Nano 2nd generation - so I found instructions and figured I was wasting toooooo much time on this so I did the Restore on my iPod. Followed directions and Voila!  I now have English; however, I cannot get the songs on my iTunes computer account to sync to the newly restored iPod !  If it isn't one thing.... How do I get my computer iTunes songs to sync onto my "blank" iPod? 

    Thanks for your help.  What am I NOT doing right? 

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Mar 9, 2016 4:12 PM in response to 15owls
    Level 8 (38,766 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 9, 2016 4:12 PM in response to 15owls

    Glad to hear that you got it working and got the Restore done. 

     

    After a Restore, the iPod is set to use manual loading by default.  You can use it that way, by dragging songs from your iTunes music library to the iPod in the iTunes window.  OR, if you want to set it up for automatic syncing, here's how to do it...

     

    Select the iPod in iTunes (click its device button on horizontal bar) to show its settings screen in iTunes window.  Along the left side (in the sidebar), under Settings, click Music.  To the right, the iPod's Music settings screen is shown. 

     

    NOTE:  For anyone else reading this, any songs on the iPod that are not in your iTunes library will be lost.

     

    Checkmark the box for Sync Music.  This turns ON automatic syncing.  Below that, IF your iTunes music library can fit on the iPod, you can choose the option to sync Entire music library.  Then click Apply.  iTunes syncs all songs to the iPod.

     

    Otherwise, if your iTunes music library is too large (or you don't want "everything" on the iPod), choose the option to sync Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres.  Then, make your selections for the lists below.  For example, create and maintain (one or more) playlists in your iTunes library with songs you want on the iPod.  Back on the iPod's Music settings screen, under Playlists, find and select (checkmark) the playlist(s) with your iPod Songs.  You can make selections on the other lists, if desired.  Click Apply to have iTunes sync the selected portion of the iTunes music library to the iPod.

     

    Going forward, iTunes keeps your iPod "in sync" with your iTunes music library (or the selected portion of it) when you connect the iPod (or click Sync if already connected).

  • by 15owls,Solvedanswer

    15owls 15owls Mar 9, 2016 4:41 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 9, 2016 4:41 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP!   I FIGURED OUT HOW TO DO IT AND AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF!  I WAS READY TO JUST GIVE UP.... AND AS I AM SITTING HERE TYPING, AND LISTENING TO ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONGS ON MY NEWLY RESTORED IPOD AND READY TO START DANCING!    I AM SO HAPPY.... I LOVE LISTENING TO SONGS AS I GO WALKING, OR DOING WHATEVER.... THANKS, THANKS, THANKS FOR ALL YOUR TIME TO HELP ME.   NO MORE JAPANESE, AND ALL MY PURCHASED ITUNES SONGS ARE ON MY IPOD AND COMPUTER!  ONE HAPPY GAL HERE!  THANKS FOR BEING THERE FOR ME.