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Level 1

11 points

iPod locked up

I have an earlier iPod (40GB, all white face/wheel/buttons). Purchased new and didn't use it extensively until recently. Worked perfectly until recently when suddenly it would start skipping between song prematurely (cutting off a song before it was over & switching to a new track). Finally it locked up completely and none of the buttons have any effect - can't even turn it off, just need to let the battery completely deplete.

Plugging it into a power source causes the Apple logo to appear for a few seconds, then a folder icon, then the Apple logo again ... and so on.

Are there any reset procedures I can try? Any hope to get this unit running again? I just listen to much & don't have a need for the iPod touch - this unit has always served my needs perfectly.

MacBook Pro 17" 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Posted on Aug 7, 2008 10:02 PM

19 replies

inte Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 19, 2008 1:40 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Good call on purchase of a refurb unit - didn't know that was available!

I found out I can get a 20GB HD for $50 - new. for the extra $125 it might be work going with the refurb option...

I did try disconnecting and cleaning (with DeOxit) the HD connector cable at both ends - didn't change the symptom at all. Didn't try disconnecting the batter connection, but I'm skeptical that's involved as the symptom is identical both when the unit is plugged into a wall socket or running off batter power.

Aug 19, 2008 2:43 PM in response to inte

Disconnecting the battery completely resets the iPod, so it's not a matter of being powered by battery or power adapter. It's making the iPod completely unpowered to reset it, which is not possible without pulling the battery. You just need to unplug a socket, so it's worth a try...

I'm looking at the refurb iPod touch for $199. It's only 8GB, but it is basically an iPhone without the phone (and camera), and no monthly service fee.

inte Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 20, 2008 4:36 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Did the battery disconnect & hit that with DeOxit for good measure as well - no effect at all on the symptom either way.

This unit can only be charged from the Firewire cable that was included (not sure if this was normal for the Gen 3 units or not), but I'm thinking the refurb unit is the way to go as I'll get a vastly better unit and be able to use USB car chargers, etc... for just over $100 extra.

Aug 20, 2008 5:09 PM in response to inte

It's true that the 3G iPod can only charge using a FireWire connection; that's normal. The 4G iPod can use USB or FireWire. Now, they only work with USB, so don't try using that FireWire cable on a new iPod.

I've purchased a few refurb products from the Apple Store. They all looked new. The only difference was the plain brown packaging (and the price).

iPod locked up