iPod locked up

I have one of those too, if it's the one with the touch buttons in a line below the screen.

You said the buttons don't work, but did you try the two-button combo to reset it?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1320

If that does not work, try putting it into Disk Mode.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1363

If that works, connect it to your Mac to see if it is recognized as a hard drive in Disk Utility. If so, go to the Erase tab and try to erase it (reformat). This will obviously erase your songs. If that completes successfully, run iTunes. If it is recognized as a new iPod, say no to syncing it and use the Restore button in iTunes to put the iPod back to original settings. You can then set it up and try to use it normally.

If you are not able to reset or put into Disk Mode, or if reformatting fails with an error, it is possible that your iPod's hard drive has become faulty.

One more thing you can try is to let it run out of power completely. Then, after the screen will not come on anymore, let it sit for another day or so. Then recharge it and try the above again, or it may just work. Alternately, if you know how to open the iPod using those plastic tools, just disconnect the battery inside. Leave it disconnected for a few minutes, than reconnect it.

You can ask at an Apple Store, if you live near one. It they do it, it will probably cost a lot.

You should try opening it up. It's not that hard if you have a pair of those plastic tools that come with a replacement battery. You can get a battery (with tools) or just the tools quite cheaply on eBay. If you decide to try it, post back and I'll provide some tips for easily opening that iPod without causing damage.

Once you open it, you can try a few things. First, try disconnecting the battery to totally make it unpowered. Then reconnect it. That might get it going. The other thing involves the hard drive. Disconnect the hard drive from the ribbon connector. Then disconnect the ribbon connector from the logic board. You may need to peel away a bit of the black film. Check the connections, especially the one to the logic board. You may want to connect and disconnect that connection a few times to make sure it connects solidly, then connect the hard drive back up and try it. You can do the testing without snapping the case back together.

It's a third gen. Then instructions are actually there, at the botton, where it says

"If you have an older iPod model without a Click Wheel"

except there are no pictures.

They need to be pointy like a small flat-head screwdriver, except it has to be made of hard plastic so that you don't dent the metal case and gouge the plastic case. But it has to be hard enough so that you can pry open the seam between the two halves of the case. Someone once posted that a guitar pick works, but I don't know the technique for using it to open the case.

Here's how with the two tools. They look like this, BTW.

[iPod opening tools on eBay|http://cgi.ebay.com/Repair-Tool-x-2-For-Apple-iPod-Nano-Mini-iPhone-Video_ W0QQitemZ130244039499QQihZ003QQcategoryZ48680QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewIt em]

Use the wider one (if they are different) to pry open the seam at the top middle of the iPod, just enough to insert the tool's tip into the metal half of the case. Push against the plastic half to create the initial gap. You want to start at the top because there are no clips along that edge.

Looking at the iPod from the front, insert the second tool to the right of the first one. While putting pressure on the tool to push it into the metal half, move it along the seam to the right around the top right corner and down the right side. If you are pushing down while you do this, it should pop open on the right side by the time you get about halfway down to the bottom right corner.

Then, open it like a book from the right side. Be careful not to yank it open on the left side, because there is a delicate ribbon cable at the top left corner that connects the two halves of the case. Carefully disconnect the ribbon cables socket to separate the two sides of the case.

Tip when reassembling: Make sure the external hold switch aligns with the internal switch on the logic board. You'll see what I mean. If you forget, the hold switch won't work, and you'll have to open the case again.

You can find an online guide with pictures at

http://www.ifixit.com/

(I'd give you the exact link, but the site was down for maintenance.)

Note: The technique is the same for a 4th gen iPod, except you don't need to worry about aligning the hold switch. I've never opened a 5th gen or later iPod.

See post below...

I can't even get my iPod to connect to the Mac. Today I tried hooking it up to the Mac in my office, and my Mac screen turns grey and gives me a message saying that I need to restart the computer.

(And while we're at it, why can't I find the button that says "Post New Topic" but I can reply to topics already started?)

I think the problem is that your 3G iPod is probably the thicker design, because it's 40GB; it has the two-platter drive. The thinner design with the one-platter drive was more common.

However, I see no reason why the thinner drive would not work in the thicker case. You'd have to put something in the case to take up the extra space, like a piece of cardboard. Any drive with the same connection type should work, from the 5GB drive in the 1G iPod to the 20GB (or even larger drive) from the 4G iPod. The 5th gen iPod and later use a different type of drive.

One thing you can try is to go on eBay and search for broken 3G iPods. Look for listings that look like an individual selling his or her one broken iPod, not a +big seller+ who is selling off a big lot of broken iPods. The big seller is more likely to know how to salvage good hard drives from broken iPods. The individual seller may call it "broken" because the battery is shot. If there is time remaining in the auction, ask the seller if he or she tried to open the iPod; if it's been opened, it could be damaged.

Hopefully, between your broken iPod and another one, you can create one working iPod. The two-platter drives seem more fragile than the thinner drives, so I would go for a 10, 15, or 20GB 3G iPod (those had the thinner drive). The front half of your 3G iPod should work with either the thick or thin back half.

It should work. As I said, the front (white) half of the iPod is the same. It's just a matter of having some extra space in the back half.

But you are going to pay $50 (plus shipping) for a drive that is probably a used working pull, consider that a much more capable 80GB iPod classic is available on Apple Store's refurb page for $179, with full warranty. Also, although the problem is most likely the hard drive, it can also be logic board. Without a second iPod to use for testing, there is no way to know for sure.

So I guess disconnecting and reconnecting the battery and hard drive cable connection points did not help.