iPod Classic won't start up

Question

iPod Classic won't start up

AFter trying to reset my 30GB iPod Classic, all I get is a very dim, blinking Apple logo when I turn on the device. At the same time, I hear two distinct clicks, the first louder than the second, every few seconds, like maybe the hard disk is trying to do something, over and over. Any Suggestions? Thanks...

iPod Classic 30GB, Other OS

Posted on Jun 1, 2008 8:58 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 1, 2008 10:48 PM in response to birdbrain0113

Sounds like you might have an iPod 5th Generation, rather than a Classic, as the Classic is available in 80GB and 160GB only. Either way, try to force disk mode and restore:

Disk Mode:
Ensure the HOLD switch is OFF so that there is NO orange color showing beneath the switch. Then, press and hold the MENU and the SELECT (center) buttons together for about 10 seconds, until you see an Apple logo. When you see the Apple, IMMEDIATELY press and hold the SELECT (center) and the PLAY/PAUSE buttons together until you see a check mark, and the iPod says "Disk Mode, OK to Disconnect."

Restore:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1339

I'm concerned that the clicks you hear might be indicative of a mechanical problem with the iPod's hard drive. You might want to check your warranty and set up service if you can't restore the iPod:
https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do

CG

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Answer 2

Jun 2, 2008 1:05 PM in response to CasperGemini

my iPod must be a 5th Generation unit. Thanks for pointing this out. I followed your step by step instructions, and see the check mark, "OK to disconnect" message. So, the battery is down, and I've plugged the device into a free-standing charging unit (not a Mac), and the "OK to disconnect" screen is still lighted up.. I don't know what comes next.

Do I need to "restore" the iPod, as the logical next step in your reply suggests? My son says he tried to restore yesterday, but got the message "Unable to restore," so he unplugged the iPod from his MAC, and the blinking Apple logo and clicking problem started immediately, and that's when I stepped in to help. Thanks for anything you might have to tell me.

It's been 20 minutes now since I plugged in the iPod into the charging base, and the screen is still fully light up, ( is this OK?) with the check mark and message...and the charging indicator top right is moving as it should. Thanks.

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Answer 3

Jun 2, 2008 2:54 PM in response to birdbrain0113

That's about all that is visible when the iPod is in disk mode. Sometimes this can resolve restore error messages, so even though it was already attempted, try to restore it again. If you get any further error messages during the restore, let us know, or search apple.com/support for some suggestions.

CG

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