Help! My 4th generation 20GB ipod won't start

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Help! My 4th generation 20GB ipod won't start

I have a 20 GB ipod, and when I plug it into the charger I get the apple icon, followed by the sad face, and then it shuts down. This process repeats until I uplug the ipod. I've tried holding down the select and menu buttons, but it doesn't help. Any ideas?

20 GB, Windows XP Pro

Posted on Aug 22, 2007 10:41 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 23, 2007 8:18 AM in response to ucdostrich

is this a 20 GB iPod that is b/w and a 4G?

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Answer 2

ucdostrich Author

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Aug 24, 2007 11:31 AM in response to a Mac user

I have seen the i-pod with the click-wheel called both 3rd and 4th generation, so I'm not sure. I have a 3 year old black and white 20GB ipod with the click-wheel - the one that came out just after the ipod with four buttons across the top. Don't think I can be much more specific than that.

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Answer 3

Aug 24, 2007 11:42 AM in response to ucdostrich

ok, that is what i was looking for, do you hear the hard drive spin, then a thunk noise when you start it up?

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Answer 4

alex...

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Aug 24, 2007 1:29 PM in response to a Mac user

I'm having the exact same problem. Same generation ipod too. But mine occasionally will turn on, but nothing is on it. All my songs are wiped off and I am unable to upload it. It just freezes and gives me the sad ipod icon. Anyone know what's wrong? And if so, my warantee is up, is there even a point of paying to get it fixed or is it more practical to get a new one?

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Answer 5

ucdostrich Author

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Aug 27, 2007 5:04 PM in response to a Mac user

Yes, that's exactly it. Shortly after the thunk the ipod shuts itself off and is silent for a few seconds before attempting to start-up again. I left it plugged in for about an hour and it got overly warm but did take some charge - enough to attempt to turn itself on when any button was pressed. I tried the reset, and I got a single black horizontal line across the screen and then the ipod switched itself off. When I turned it on again I got the same sad face, same whirring and thunk and the ipod shut itself off. So the reset changed nothing.

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