User profile for user: mjr.at
mjr.at Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

iPod 3rd Gen. (iPod (dock connector)) problem with iTunes?

hi,

i recently found my old IPod 3. Gen. ( http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1353#dockconnector) and wanted to connect it to Windows XP Pro with SP3 and iTunes 8.0.1 but it kind of slows down my new PC.

I tryed various things like putting it to disc mode and than connect or connect without itunes open and then stating iTunes. but if i try this then iTunes never starts (i waited about 1 hour). when iTunes is running and i connect it then iTunes just hangs...

i have no idea what else i could do maybe install an older itunes version? i dont know which one i used the last time i connected my iPod because its been about 2 jeary since i last connected it...

selfmade, Windows XP Pro, damn fast ;)

Posted on Oct 6, 2008 8:06 AM

Reply
9 replies
User profile for user: Kenichi Watanabe
Kenichi Watanabe
User level: Level 8
41,584 points

Oct 6, 2008 12:13 PM in response to mjr.at

I only mentioned it because most Windows PCs do not have FireWire ports, and since it sounded like you may have a newer iPod that came with a USB docking cable, you may have tried to use it without knowing the 3G iPod needs FireWire (or that two-ended cable used with a power adapter).

OK... since you are using FireWire:

When you previously used the 3G iPod, was it with a Mac or PC? If Mac, the issue may be that it is formatted for Mac. iTunes should still see it and offer to Restore it to PC format...

Have you ever used the FireWire port with any other device (like an external drive)? Can you confirm that it is working properly?

The other possibility is that the FireWire Docking cable is bad, but that is the least likely reason.
Reply
User profile for user: mjr.at
mjr.at Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Oct 6, 2008 12:29 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

I always used the iPod with windows. One thing i also thougth is that maybe the cable is broken, but it looks good to me, no cuts or bends in it. I have no other FireWire device with which i could test the firewire port 😟 but its a new pc and a asus mainboard so i guess it works fine.

one symptom i found is that the drive letter when connecting the ipod to the pc is there but it hangs the explorer when i try to access it. but one time i connected it, it told me you have to format the drive in I: (the letter assigned to the iPod). but i could not format it because i did not get a file system to choose. but i could see the contents of the ipod in the exlorer, not for long tho because after afew clicks into folders the explorer hang again...

so i have to find the adapter from the big firewire to smal firewire to connet it to my laptop.

so thanks for your help kenichi, and sorry if i was a bit rude at the previous post.
Reply
User profile for user: Kenichi Watanabe
Kenichi Watanabe
User level: Level 8
41,584 points

Oct 6, 2008 12:51 PM in response to mjr.at

If Windows does recognize the iPod, I think the cable is good. If you can get the iPod's hard drive to show up in a Windows Explorer window (even if you can't look inside), you can try right clicking on it and selecting the command to Format. You may want to put the iPod into Disk Mode, as you did before, if you have problems. Do a full format, instead of any option for a quick format.

I see that you mentioned trying to format it in your previous post, but I would try again in Disk Mode and by selecting the command specifically.

If you are able to format it, run iTunes immediately and use the Restore button to install and initialize the iPod's software.

The "small FireWire" has 4 pins and does not carry power. The "big FireWire" has 6 pins, and those two extra pins carry power for charging the iPod. So getting a 4-pin adapter and connecting to your laptop may work for data as long as the iPod is charged, but it will not charge the iPod while connected.
Reply
User profile for user: mjr.at
mjr.at Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Oct 7, 2008 7:42 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

i tried to get to the format dialog a few times but the explorer hangs as soon as i right-click the drive letter. i also tried it with the command line but its the same...
i dont think that the iPod HDD has a problem because the music which is on it plays nice...
i could not find the adapter for my laptop so i give up...
on more thing i found out that i have the software version 2.3 on my iPod maybe it has an incompatibility with iTunes 8.0.1?
Reply
User profile for user: Kenichi Watanabe
Kenichi Watanabe
User level: Level 8
41,584 points

Oct 7, 2008 9:21 AM in response to mjr.at

on more thing i found out that i have the software version 2.3 on my iPod maybe it has an incompatibility with iTunes 8.0.1?


I have a 3G iPod. It has software version 2.3, and it works with iTunes 8.0.1. But it's on a Mac.

You can still download and try an earlier version of iTunes. Here is 7.6 for Windows.

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/itunes76forwindows.html

You can search Apple Support even earlier versions.

Also, those adapters are available on eBay. For example,

[6-pin to 4-pin FireWire Adapter for Apple Ipod|http://cgi.ebay.com/6-pin-to-4-pin-FireWire-Adapter-for-Apple-Ipod W0QQitemZ350105338622QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item350105338622&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C 39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&trksid=p3286.c0.m14]
Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

iPod 3rd Gen. (iPod (dock connector)) problem with iTunes?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up