iPod Nano won't restore

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Level 1

1 points

iPod Nano won't restore

I have an iPod Nano, first generation, that just stopped working. Whenever turning the iPod on, the screen says 'Use iTunes to restore'.

When I attempt to restore in iTunes, the program runs through the appropriate steps, the iPod restarts, but then goes back to the 'Use iTunes to Restore' screen, creating an infinite cycle. (So iTunes will recognize the iPod, but realizes that it needs to be restored...however it can't restore!)

Any help in diagnosing / repairing this problem would be greatly appreciated.

I've tried some of the steps suggested online, including trying to format in Disk Mode (again, computer recognizes drive, but format does no complete) , going through Diagnostic Screen (FlashScan test takes 12-18 hrs!!!), trying different computers or USB ports, renaming drives, re-registering digital drivers, installing an older version of iTunes...nothing is working.

The iPod will just keep going to the 'Use iTunes to Restore' screen.

Please share any suggestions on repairing this iPod (or what component is 'bad')!

Thanks

Dell Latitude D600, Choose

Posted on Aug 9, 2007 9:44 PM

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Answer 1

ruplej Author

Level 1

1 points

Aug 9, 2007 10:39 PM in response to ruplej

Also, after removing iTunes 7 and installing iTunes 5, I can now get iTunes to recognize the iPod (only after attempting to format the drive from 'My Computer), and will write to the iPod, but when disconnecting from the computer, it's back to the 'Use iTunes to Restore' screen...

help?

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Answer 2

Aug 10, 2007 8:56 PM in response to ruplej

I'm having the same problem with my 2nd generation nano; After going through all the restoring steps, it only shows again the same message: "this ipod needs to be restored". I've tried using other iTunes versions, renaming drives, using disk mode, different USB ports, etc.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

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Answer 3

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Aug 10, 2007 9:11 PM in response to ruplej

Two things: Try the Restore when you have only your iPod, keyboard and mouse connected. Also try disabling all your antivirus/antispyware software.

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Answer 4

ruplej Author

Level 1

1 points

Aug 12, 2007 2:31 PM in response to deggie

I tried restoring with no other USB devices (using laptop) - same problem. Also disabled the spyware without an effect.

Took the nano to a Genius at the apple store today - they tried to restore on both a PC and Mac without success, and that was the extent of troubleshooting.

Please help. If the memory was bad, shouldn't I be able to see that with one of the iPod Diagnostic tests?

Any other ways to restore this nano?

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Answer 5

ruplej Author

Level 1

1 points

Aug 12, 2007 6:52 PM in response to deggie

Now I've also tried the 'HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool' suggested in other online forums, still to no avail. Formatting the drive, updating iPod, different iTunes versions (have tried 4, 5, 6, 7) - same problem - 'Use iTunes to restore'

Again, the closest I have come is with iTunes 5, when after formatting the disk, iTunes will recognize and write to the iPod, and I can play music within iTunes from the iPod.

Unfortunately, as soon as I disconnect the nano, it goes back to the 'Use iTunes to restore' screen. When re-attaching to the PC, I have to format the disk again and everything is lost.

Anyone else out there experiencing this?

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Answer 6

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Aug 13, 2007 9:50 AM in response to ruplej

Try reformatting the Nano in Windows (FAT32, not a quick format) then Restoring it. Also, be sure you are disabling all of the antispyware and antivirus software on your laptop. Most people have more than one. And if you have a PC card installed, eject it.

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Answer 7

ruplej Author

Level 1

1 points

Aug 13, 2007 8:14 PM in response to deggie

The reformat in Windows (FAT32, not quick format) was one of the necessary steps for iTunes 5 to recognize the Nano. [iTunes 7 would always recognize, but get stuck in the 'Use iTunes to Restore' loop)

The antispyware software (SpySweeper) was disabled. The antivirus (Symantac AntiVirus) was idled during the test. No PC card.

Still having zero luck with iTunes 7. Still frustrating because the nano seems to work (after formatting FAT32 in Windows) with iTunes 5, until disconnected.

Running the iPod Diagnostics on HD Info, it will confirm the Total Size (1.91GB) and the Partition (FAT32), but once reset, will return to the 'Use iTunes to Restore' screen. Then, will have to re-format in Windows when attaching to PC, erasing everything.

It's hard to give up when it seemingly functions when attached with iTunes 5, but there has been no luck getting it to work away from PC....

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Answer 8

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Aug 14, 2007 9:45 AM in response to ruplej

Try it again but do not idle the Norton, completely disable it, format to FAT32, then Restore in iTunes 7

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Answer 9

ruplej Author

Level 1

1 points

Aug 14, 2007 8:31 PM in response to deggie

Ok, computer displayed message that Symantec Antivirus was disabled...same result.

Getting desperate - tried to backup the contents of a different nano, then restore onto the broken nano through My Computer...didn't work - iTunes 7 still wanted to Restore the broken nano. This process put the nano into a loop of sad iPod icon, and Very Low Battery Screen. It's on the wall charger now, but still went back to the 'Use iTunes to Restore' screen.

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Answer 10

Aug 30, 2007 9:57 PM in response to ruplej

I have the same problem, was a solution ever found to this?

I somehow got iTunes to accept it once last night, I'm not sure how I did it, in any case, this is incredibly frustration and makes me wonder if I should just return it (if I can't use it...)

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Answer 11

Aug 31, 2007 8:07 AM in response to khea_actua

I've had the same problem and been looking for days at a way to fix it.
I have done now. Following advice on this thread, I disabled my antivirus/firewall/internet security, and lo and behold, it reset.

Thanks

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Answer 12

Sep 2, 2007 5:37 PM in response to ruplej

im having the same problem. been trying to fix for months with no sucess.. if you find a way please let me know.

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Answer 13

Sep 5, 2007 3:08 PM in response to swoshbuck

The nano that I am testing now is in flashscan mode scanning from 0% to 20% and back downward to 10%, then starts at -1%. This is over a period of 22 hours. Would this imply the device needs servicing?
Thanks

Message was edited by: tzoley

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Answer 14

arl240

Level 1

0 points

Sep 7, 2007 10:56 AM in response to ruplej

I just tried this support trick out -
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304503
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93499#changedrive
and it actually fixed my stupid ipod. I just needed to remount my drive letter, which I switched to I. It then didn't do the infinity restore loop after that. Woot.

Stupid iPod, which now works again.

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Answer 15

klamothe

Level 1

0 points

Oct 17, 2007 6:59 PM in response to ruplej

I had to post on here because I have been going INSANE with the exact same problem as you and everyone else on this discussion and others about the Nano going into a restore loop... and I'm proud to say that mine JUST STARTED WORKING AGAIN! i tried everything also and was amazingly frustrated by so many Mac users continually telling us Windows-ers to try the same stuff, but what made mine work? Turning off EVERY setting on Norton and closing every non-essential program running in Vista and amazingly, it just... well worked. Best of luck to you and everyone trying to solve this problem

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