iPod Shuffle Windows or Mac formatted?

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Level 1

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iPod Shuffle Windows or Mac formatted?

I just got an iPod shuffle (2nd generation). It wont appear in ITunes. It's not any of the obvious errors listed and the 5 steps doesn't help. I've reset it several times. When I went to run the iPod updater it claims it is a Windows formatted iPod Shuffle and that the updater is for Mac only. The packaging doesn't have any description of it being a Windows only iPod! Can it be reformatted as a Mac iPod? If I don't have iTunes open the Shuffle will load as a disk drive in the finder but not as an iPod. Can anyone help me get my Shuffle to work? Cheers.

G5 Dual 2.3, Mac OS X (10.5.2), 4gb RAM

Posted on Apr 1, 2008 9:01 PM

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Answer 1

Mitch 751

Level 6

11,665 points

Apr 1, 2008 9:25 PM in response to mickr7an

iPod formatted on a PC can be read by a Mac computer but not the other way round.

So your iPod of course can be restored or formated on a Mac computer.

I am not too sure, it can be a bad contact between the cable plug with your iPod causing the problem. Otherwise, see doing the following helps

For Mac computer
1. Open the disk utility, hope your iPod appears there (left hand side), highlight it
2. Go to Tab “Partition”, click either “Delete” or “Partition”, if fails, skip this step and go to 3
3. Go to Tab “Erase” , choose Volume Format as “MAC OS Extended (Journaled), and click Erase, again if fails, skip it and go to 4
4. Same as step 3, but open the “Security Options....” and choose “Zero Out Data” before click Erase. It will take 1 to 2 hours to complete.
5. Eject your iPod and do a Reset
6. Open the iTunes 7 and click “Restore”

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Answer 2

mickr7an Author

Level 1

97 points

Apr 1, 2008 10:25 PM in response to Mitch 751

Thanks. I tried everything but it still comes up as Windows format in the iPod Updater and still won't mount in iTunes. If iTunes is not open it will mount in the finder.

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Answer 3

Mitch 751

Level 6

11,665 points

Apr 1, 2008 11:06 PM in response to mickr7an

have your read this?

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61937

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Answer 4

mickr7an Author

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97 points

Apr 1, 2008 11:51 PM in response to Mitch 751

Thanks. Did that, restarted the computer and the Shuffle just in case. Unfortunately that didn't help either. It still appears in the finder but not in iTunes.

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Answer 5

Mitch 751

Level 6

11,665 points

Apr 2, 2008 12:09 AM in response to mickr7an

have you tried to use disk utility to format it, as I mentioned above?

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Answer 6

mickr7an Author

Level 1

97 points

Apr 2, 2008 12:31 AM in response to Mitch 751

Yes. I tried every option. It's now formatted as a Mac disc but it's still not mounting in iTunes.

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Answer 7

Mitch 751

Level 6

11,665 points

Apr 2, 2008 12:38 AM in response to mickr7an

If it can be formatted and showing up our the desktop (but no iTunes) - it is likely a software issue. Let me do some search and come back shortly

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Answer 8

mickr7an Author

Level 1

97 points

Apr 2, 2008 12:44 AM in response to Mitch 751

Thanks Mitch. My iPod Touch works perfectly with my iTunes (7.6.1). I also tried the Shuffle on my wife's MacBook and it didn't work on it either. If I attach the Shuffle it mounts in the finder, only if iTunes is not launched. If I then launch iTunes I get a 'device removal' warning and it then disappears from the finder - but does not appear in iTunes unfortunately. So it seems that launching iTunes is affecting the Shuffle but is still not able to mount it.

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Answer 9

Mitch 751

Level 6

11,665 points

Apr 2, 2008 12:57 AM in response to mickr7an

Interesting to know it does not work with 2 Macs. The thing you can do is to do a Restore on a PC and reconnect with your Mac and see what happen. If it does not solve, I am afraid you have to bring it for service as I did, apple will exchange it if it is within 12 months warranty

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Answer 10

mickr7an Author

Level 1

97 points

Apr 2, 2008 2:40 AM in response to Mitch 751

I just bought it this morning so I will bring it back to the shop and get it exchanged. Thanks a lot for your suggestions anyway.

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Answer 11

Mitch 751

Level 6

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Apr 2, 2008 2:52 AM in response to mickr7an

Good luck, hope the replacement will be fine.

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Answer 12

0Ari0

Level 5

4,995 points

Apr 2, 2008 7:58 AM in response to mickr7an

FYI: Shuffles are ONLY formatted as FAT32... screwing with them by trying to format them as anything is a sure trip to total frustration.

You MIGHT want to try the shuffle Reset Utility.

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Answer 13

Mitch 751

Level 6

11,665 points

Apr 2, 2008 4:13 PM in response to 0Ari0

Thank you, what you said is true. But from my past experience of dealing with iPods - problem of recognized by iTunes or a computer. 30 of 35 iPod are managed to solve, the trick behind is - it does not matter which format you choose to do for the iPod, once the hard drive of the iPod get erased and reconnect it back with a computer (prefer in disk mode), the iTunes will open and pop up with a screen saying "the iPod cannot be read and need to restore". Bingo.

The problem of the above iPod shuffle is cant be read by iTunes on 2 mac, but does show up on the desktop ie can be read by a computer.

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Answer 14

mickr7an Author

Level 1

97 points

Apr 2, 2008 4:24 PM in response to 0Ari0

Where can I download the Shuffle Reset Utility? For some reason I can't view search results on Apple's website at the moment.

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Answer 15

mickr7an Author

Level 1

97 points

Apr 2, 2008 4:31 PM in response to mickr7an

Actually I Googled it and download it but it doesn't work. Can't reset the iPod due to an error. So it looks like I have a dud. Bak to the shop then. Thanks anyway.

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