3rd gen iPod stuck at apple logo

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Level 1

8 points

3rd gen iPod stuck at apple logo

hi all,
last week i bought a 15gb 3rd gen iPod from someone.. (with all original accessories and box)
I bought it knowing the battery was shot and bought one the day after i bought the iPod. i havent recieved the battery yet but when i plugged the iPod into my Macbook,the iPod boots to apple screen but stays there..
I can feel the hard drive spinning only when i turn it on.. and after the battery turns off or after a few seconds, i can hear a high pitch whinning sound..
I also thought that even when an iPod battery is dead, it will fully boot or at least say "do not disconnect" when plugged into a computer or ac adapter...
any help?

White MacBook 2.0 Ghz..., iPhone 8gb 1.1.4, AT&T tilt, 80gb 5.5 gen iPod

Posted on Jun 1, 2008 7:19 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 1, 2008 7:24 PM in response to SBik2

If it's 3G iPod, you have to use a FireWire docking cable. If the iPod is fully charged, a USB docking may work for syncing. But 3G iPods cannot charge over USB, only FireWire. Since you mentioned a dead battery, I'm guessing that's the problem.

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Answer 2

SBik2 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 1, 2008 7:31 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

okay but im using the firewire cable...
are you suggesting that even thought it just stays at the apple logo, charge it for a while? ive tried an hour already and still wont boot past the apple screen

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Answer 3

Jun 1, 2008 7:37 PM in response to SBik2

If you are using a FireWire cable, I think it will work, even if there is no battery inside. Is it attached directly to the computer or to a FireWire hub (making sure the connection has enough power)?

Did you hit the reset button combination? If it shows up in iTunes, did you try using the Restore button (on the iPod's pane in iTunes).

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Answer 4

SBik2 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 1, 2008 7:45 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

ya its plugged i straight into my macbook's firewire port..
and ever since i saw it wont boot past the the apple, ive been trying to restart it.. it wont restart.. so there's no way for me to try and get it into disk mode

EDIT: i can get it to restart.. (well i think so because the apple logo disappears then comes back..but it wont go into disk mode)

Message was edited by: SBik2

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Answer 5

Jun 1, 2008 8:05 PM in response to SBik2

I hate to say it, but usually, what you describe is a hardware problem (most likely with the hard drive).

One more question. If you run Disk Utility with the iPod plugged in, does the iPod show up in the sidebar? If it doesn't get passed the Apple logo, it probably will not show up, but I thought I'd ask...

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Answer 6

SBik2 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 1, 2008 8:10 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

no it won't show up..
i also noticed.. ( which i know suports the dead HD answer)
that when i press one of the button i hear a click sound.. but then i can hear the HD make a whirring sound..

Message was edited by: SBik2

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Answer 7

Jun 1, 2008 8:31 PM in response to SBik2

This will cost you some more money, but if you get one of these mini cases, you can test the 1.8-inch internal hard drive.

[iPod HD Case on eBay|http://cgi.ebay.com/OTB-CASE-Enclosure-4-Toshiba-iPod-1-8-Hard-Disk-Drive_ W0QQitemZ140237753860QQihZ004QQcategoryZ74949QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewIt em]

The most likely cause is the hard drive, but it can also be something else in the hardware electronics.

You can look for other cases and sellers on eBay, but you want the type with the internal connector shown in this listing. The newer iPods (5th Gen and later) have a different connector (ribbon type), so you don't want a case for that type.

If it works in the case, there must be some other hardware issue with that iPod. You can use it as a mini USB hard drive. Or you can buy a broken iPod on eBay and swap parts to make one working iPod.

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Answer 8

Jun 1, 2008 8:49 PM in response to SBik2

When you get your battery, it should come with plastic tools to open the iPod. Try disconnecting the current battery and letting the iPod sit for a few minutes. Then, connect it with no battery. Maybe having no power and connecting it will "jump start" it, assuming there is no problem with hard drive.

Note: If you have not previously opened an iPod... Start at the top edge seam; there are no clips there. You usually get a pair of plastic tools. Open a gap (into the metal half) with one tool, at the center of the top edge. Use the other tool starting at that gap and follow the seam to the top right corner, around the corner, and down the right side. Press into the seam as you go. It should pop open along the right side. Open it like a book from the right side. The left side has a delicate ribbon cable connecting the two halves of the case, so don't yank it open on the left side.

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Answer 9

SBik2 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 1, 2008 8:57 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

im pretty sure it will come with tools... ( i bought it from ifixit.com)
the baterry should be here any day.. but im gona try charging it all night tonight to see if that might help... but ive noticed it gets much hotter than my 5.5gen 80gb iPod when it charges.. is that anything important?
i will use the guides from iFixit to make sure im doing everything right..
ill keep you all posted

edit: i dont know if ive mentioned it.. but my hard drive does not stop making the whirring noise and still barely feel the hard drive spin.. even after i remove the firewire cable.. until the battery completely dies and everything turns off..

Message was edited by: SBik2

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Answer 10

SBik2 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 1, 2008 10:37 PM in response to SBik2

i was just browsing the ifixit website some more... and it said that if the 3rd gen iPod wont boot past apple logo, it is most likely a bad logic board.. and it costs 70 bucks.. and plus i bought a new batter for 30 with shipping..
i paid 40 bucks for the iPod alone...
should i just ask the seller for a refund if i have to repair things for almost double what I paid for the iPod?

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Answer 11

Jun 1, 2008 10:44 PM in response to SBik2

Well, if the seller sold it as a working iPod with a weak battery, and that's not true, I think you are entitled to a refund if it's actually a broken iPod. You can buy broken 3G iPods all day long on eBay for $20.

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Answer 12

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Jun 1, 2008 7:34 PM in response to SBik2

You might try forcing the iPod into disk mode first and see if that makes it show up in iTunes...
Putting iPod into Disk Mode
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93651
Patrick

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