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Level 3

560 points

Green and Orange flashing lights.. how many others effected?

I have a 1gb shuffle, apples web site tells me was registered on 18 April 2005 so i cant get comp support.

It worked fine until a few weeks ago when on hitting play I got no sound just the alternating flashing of the green and orange light. It had been standing a few days after a recharge from the front USB port of my Dual G5 Mac it was working when inserted and i pulled it out and put it aside fully charged until i needed to use it

I have read a number of threads on this topic not of which appear to have an answer to solve my problems

My iPod updater software is 4.4 although i also have 4.2
When i insert the iPod neither versions recognise the iPod as attached Ihave tested this on my G4 1.33 Al powerbook which has a lot older versions of the iPod updater and none of them confirm the iPod is connected.
Checking 'About this Mac', under the Apple menu the iPod is listed as attached to the fast USB port and gives a serial number 000A2700101BA8FE which is not the same as is written on the case.

I have been maintaining my 'software update' as current as is possible and I know I recently recall taking both upgrades to iTunes and an iPod updater which conicided with the nano and the video launch although i did not recall manually applying the new updater to the Shuffle but i believe with the shuffle iTunes may be able to manage upgrading shuffle firmware when it is connected without the users knowledge. It appears to have expired about the time these upgrades appeared. I am prepered to accept this may not be co-incidental.

Have Apple introduced a bug during the firmware upgrade to some or all iPod shuffles that kills them? Have Apple confirmed there is a problem? Will it be possible for a forthcoming firmware update to correct this issue? Has anyone had this problem arise during normal cycle of use without the shuffle being connected to its mother computer (mac or pc) immediatly prior to it first being a problem.

If anyone has experienced the same process and symptoms listed above occuring and killing their iPod Shuffle please drop you name here and any thing you noted. Likewise anyone who had these symptoms and found a way to force the shuffle to wake up and become visible to the computer any tips on this will be very welcome

thanks

Posted on Oct 29, 2005 7:36 AM

647 replies

oOglar

Level 1

0 points

Nov 27, 2005 3:47 PM in response to iPodista

i've got the same problum. This *****

Nov 28, 2005 12:51 AM in response to iPodista

Same problem here. Before, I had disco music without lights, now I only got the lights. I prefer the first. Apple, show responsibility!!!

iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

shas

Level 1

0 points

Nov 28, 2005 10:15 AM in response to iPodista

I've got a 2 month old 512 shuffle and I am having the same problems as others in this thread. I opened a repair ticket sunday and they are suppose to send me a new one, but clearly there is a bigger issue. I had recently updated itunes and suspect it is the culprit. It quick in the middle of playback mode and hasn't worked since, itunes no longer recognizes the unit.

Nov 29, 2005 1:22 PM in response to iPodista

So I just talked with the tech support at apple and was told they would email me the "trouble shooting tips" after I told them what was happening and that I had already done all of the tips and reset actions. They told me that they have not heard of people having this problem when they have not had to upgrade, Does any one have a clue what they will do in this case?

X-ulescu

Level 1

0 points

Nov 29, 2005 2:35 PM in response to Hangedman

I have the same problem. If you find a solution please contact me at iulian_podaru@yahoo.com

Nov 29, 2005 10:38 PM in response to iPodista

My shuffle (bought in early Oct.) was fine on my PC.....then my screen failed and I had to get it repaired. Once I plugged it into my boyfriend's iBook, the blinking orange/green lights!! I do think it's the software, I didn't update to iTunes6, I lost my Music library on my PC when I did that, so I uninstalled it and reinstalled iTunes 5 (which is what the shuffle was on!)......the iBook had iTunes 6 and the shuffle hasn't worked since!! I am going to send the piece of junk back to Apple, but I don't think it's fair you have to give a credit card number so they can charge you. By comparsion, my laptop was bought in August, and HP gave me free shipping back to the terminal to repair it, and I didn't need a credit card for them to accept it!! I know you get a "replacement" shuffle, but what if you want your money back or if it is determined to be "your fault", why the **** would you want to pay for another one!? I'm glad to hear so many other people are having the same problem, I thought it was just a bad week for me! 🙂

Laptop PC, iBook G4 Windows XP

szy

Level 1

0 points

Nov 30, 2005 5:21 PM in response to iPodista

Apple released today a new version of iPod Updater. Just installed thinking it would resolve the flashing lights issue but the problem persists. My ipod remains dead (it's been two weeks already).

The Shuffle is suposed to beat in quality most of the cheap MP3 flash players out there but a product that dies after 6 months of use can´t be considered good quality at all. Apple, wake up!

iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Nov 30, 2005 6:02 PM in response to iPodista

So I took my "green/orange" light shuffle to the Apple Store yesterday. As soon as I clicked the play button on my shuffle and had the green/orange lights blink the "Genius" on duty said "ah... you got that going on." He then plugged it in to his powerbook and the only thing that happened was the beach ball.

The shuffle was a gift I received last week and I had the orginal packaging with me (I did not have a receipt).

The Genius didn't even try to "fix" my shuffle. He just declared it "DOA" ("Dead On Arrival" for those that don't know what DOA means) and took me the register to get a free replacement.

My new/replacement shuffle came with firmware 1.1.2. It's working fine.

However, I just had Software Update tell me about "iPod Updater 2005-11-17." This will update my Shuffle to firmware 1.1.3. But after my first experience and reading all these posts, there's no way I'm updating anything if it ain't broke.

Apple, I still got love, but get your ish together on this one!

redkev

Level 1

0 points

Dec 1, 2005 10:45 AM in response to iPodista

my two shuffles are still dead!

bremaura

Level 1

0 points

Dec 1, 2005 12:45 PM in response to iPodista

Me too. Same experience as several above. I bought the 1G shuffle last February and it has run pretty well since then. We updated to Tiger a couple weeks ago and I just plugged my shuffle in for the first time since that. It recognized it and updated it... and so the problem began. Now all I have is the blinking lights. What a sad thing. After reading this thread I guess I'll take it back to the apple store and see if they can help me. sigh

Jen

1G shuffle Mac OS X (10.4.3)

J Luiten

Level 1

25 points

Dec 1, 2005 2:12 PM in response to iPodista

Someone was able to fix his blinking iPod!

http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?s=c9615e66d5d5403fdc43bd99065f10a4&thre adid=114398

Unfortunatly for Mac users the instructions are for a PC.

The following should accomplish the same on a Mac (not verified!)

1) Restore the iPod firmware
2) Launch Disk Utility
The iPod should be visible in the drive list
3) Select the iPod
4) Click the Erase tab
5) Choose Volume Format: MS-DOS File System
6) Click Erase

szy

Level 1

0 points

Dec 1, 2005 2:48 PM in response to J Luiten

But this guy solved it because he got his Shuffle recognized by iTunes, while mine's (and I think the rest of affected people here) doesn't get recognized neither by iTunes, Finder or Disk Utility (under OSX) or Explorer (under Windows). So I can't change iPod preferences in iTunes.

When I connect the Shuffle to my iBook and open iTunes, the mouse pointer turns into the spinning beachball (it stops when I disconnect the Shuffle). The same happends with iPod Updater. Connecting it to my PC has the same effect, it freezes iTunes and iPod Updater.

When I open the System profile app, it shows my iPod as an USB device, so my guess is that the system detects there's an iPod connected but enters in a loop trying to access its data.

What scares me more is that Windows shows the Shuffle as an external disk but refuses to open or format it. For me, that might indicate that some important part of the firmware has been damaged. These are just suppositions, but since Apple hasn't yet offered us a solution I better start looking for one.

Mac OS X (10.3.9)

konaboy

Level 1

8 points

Dec 2, 2005 2:21 AM in response to szy

Just a follow up to my earlier post.

I reported the problem on apple.com service website. Within 24 hours there was a guy from UPS at the door with a new Ipod. Works great - but I have no intention of upgrading it. I disabled the updater software to prevent it happening automatically.

The broken ipod was sent back to apple (ups ´guy came and picked it up from work). The case is now closed.

So far no charge either so great customer service Apple!

Dec 2, 2005 3:54 AM in response to iPodista

Blinkety blinkety blink! Green and orange lights just laughing I tell ya. Well I as well can join the "my-Shuffle-is-now-a-caffeinated-traffic-light Club". As y'all know, the new iPod Updater addresses this issue but is somewhat pointless since the shuffle isn't recognized by it to update it. I've called tech support many times in the last week or so but all they want is more money to ship a replacement (since i'm past the 6 month mark on a "one-year warranty"). The representatives either didn't know this was a widespread issue or just didn't care. Either way, not cool. But today was a good day and this is my advice to y'all. Call tech support and ask to be forwarded to a "product specialist". They know this issue is happening 'cuz of the new iTunes update. They're sending me a replacement w/ no shipping charge as long as I return the defective one upon arrival. I of course can't guarantee that this will happen for each and every one of you but it's worth a shot. The thing is when you get your new shuffle, don't open iTunes; you need to run the new "iPod Updater 11-17" first. Apple released the new iTunes and, in my opinion, needs to take responsibility for the adverse effects it's had and publicly solve this issue without trying to charge customers for it. Nonethless, overall I'm glad to have chosen Apple over PC and hope that Apple learns from this mistake.

Dec 2, 2005 5:57 AM in response to iPodista

Mine doesn't work either. Wednesday, it was just fine; Thursday, it was doing the disco lights, and the iPod updater didn't correct it. I ran the updater on a 933mhz G4 ibook w/built-in USB2. It will still work as a thumb drive, but as a music player, it's non-functional.

THIS is why you're supposed to choose firewire over USB, Mr. Jobs.

Green and Orange flashing lights.. how many others effected?