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User profile for user: Luke Breland
Luke Breland Author
User level: Level 1
20 points

iPod mini frozen, can't restore--please help!!!!

I've seen so many of these topics today while trying to find an answer to my problem, but I haven't found any helpful suggestions in ANY threads. Well, here goes...

This morning, I downloaded the new iTunes version (I think 6). I then move a song to a different playlist, update the iPod, eject it (because I can't make it stop flashing "do not disconnect" even if it is set to update automatically), and head out to my car to go to class. I plug it into my car charger/tape adapter, press "Shuffle Songs," and the screen comes up showing the first song as though it's about to play...but it's stuck.

NOTHING has worked. I know I'm supposed to try resetting it, but I CAN'T. It won't respond to holding down menu + select, and it won't show up in iTunes while plugged into my computer. I've tried using iPod Updater several times, but the first time it never recognized the iPod as being connected, and all subsequent times it has simply frozen while trying to discover if an iPod is connected!!!

I obviously can't put the iPod into disk mode (as many threads suggest) because my iPod is frozen. All of the help topics I've read say that in order to fix the iPod being frozen, you need to reset or restore the iPod. I cannot reset the iPod because it is not responding at all, and I cannot restore the iPod because iPod Updater doesn't even know it is there!!! AND apparently I need to be able to put the iPod in disk mode if iPod Updater doesn't know it's there, but (like I said) I can't do this because IT'S FROZEN!!!!!!!

Someone, PLEASE help me and tell me what I'm supposed to do. This problem is just completely out of the blue; I've never had problems with my mini before, and I've had it since January. I'm sorry if there's a bunch of repitition/emphasis throughout my post, but I'm just trying to make my situation as clear as humanly possible so that someone doesn't just post up a link to another useless iPod support article. If I'm not being specific enough or you have a particular question about my problem, ask away--especially if it'll help you help me get this thing working again. My drive/walk to class is so boring without my iPod!!!

Thanks in advance for any help, and my apologies for the long post!

Posted on Nov 2, 2005 5:45 PM

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9 replies
User profile for user: sxydrkcoco
sxydrkcoco
User level: Level 1
5 points

Nov 2, 2005 5:50 PM in response to Luke Breland

I just had the same problem. I read the instruction listed below to help me. When following these instruction please remember to click hold (toggle) twice and them make sure it is in the off position. Hold the select button (the one in the center and the menu (top of wheel) at the same time.

Good luck!!
---------------INSTRUCTION NOW----------------
Resetting iPod if it appears frozen or doesn't respond
Learn how to reset or restart iPod following a freeze.

If you have an iPod shuffle, click here for reset steps.

Important: If your iPod is frozen or won't turn on, it may be because iPod is paused or the Hold switch is in the locked position. If so, a lock symbol appears on the screen. Slide the Hold switch to the unlocked position and check the screen.

If you are using your iPod as a hard drive (disk mode), it is normal for "do not disconnect" to remain on the screen until you are ready to eject the iPod in iTunes or from the Mac OS. To avoid having the iPod freeze learn how to eject and disconnect iPod from your computer.

If your iPod is frozen or won't turn on, the steps to reset it vary by model. You can easily tell which iPod model you have if you're not sure.

To reset an iPod with a Click Wheel, including:
iPod mini
iPod mini (Second Generation)
iPod with color display (iPod photo)
iPod (Click Wheel)
iPod nano
Fifth Generation iPod (also known as iPod with video)


Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, then turn it off again.)

Press and hold the Menu and Select buttons until the Apple logo appears, about 6 to 10 seconds. You may need to repeat this step.
Tip: If you are having difficulty resetting your iPod, set it on a flat surface. Make sure the finger pressing the Select button is not touching any part of the click wheel. Also make sure that you are pressing the Menu button toward the outside of the click wheel, and not near the center.

If the above steps did not work, try connecting iPod to a power adapter and plug the power adapter into an electrical outlet, or connect iPod to your computer. Make sure the computer is turned on and isn't set to go to sleep.
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User profile for user: Luke Breland
Luke Breland Author
User level: Level 1
20 points

Nov 2, 2005 5:56 PM in response to sxydrkcoco

Oh, trust me, I've tried this MANY times, both connected and unconnected to my computer! I've toggled that Hold switch like there's no tomorrow, held those buttons down for WAY longer than the suggested 10 seconds, and still no response. As I stated in my first post, I am completely unable to reset my iPod mini. I'm thinking that restoring the iPod will work, but in order for that to happen, I have to get my iPod Updater to recognize when my iPod is connected to my computer! What I'm hoping is that someone will be able to show me a way to get iPod Updater to restore this paperweight even with this significant problem. Thank you for trying to help, though! Even if it wasn't what I needed, I DO appreciate the thought behind it, and if anyone has any suggestions, please speak up!
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User profile for user: Luke Breland
Luke Breland Author
User level: Level 1
20 points

Nov 2, 2005 6:26 PM in response to btabz

btabz--

Thanks for the reply! I've already seen (and tried everything on) the article you just linked for me, but the suggestion about waiting for the battery to die is actually something that I haven't seen in any other threads. But first, I have a few questions:

Since my iPod isn't being recognized by my computer, how can I be sure that it will charge back up once the battery dies and I try to reconnect it?

Will letting the battery drain COMPLETELY have any adverse effects on the iPod or its future battery life?

After the battery is drained, what exactly should I do? Should I plug it back in to the computer, let it charge, and try to restore it to make sure that this problem won't happen again? Or is draining the battery supposed to fix the problem?

At what point should I just give up and try sending it in for a repair (it is still under warranty)?

Sorry for all of the questions! But as you can see, I'm pretty dumb when it comes to all of this stuff, and I want to be as informed as possible before doing anything to my iPod. After all, it was rather expensive, and I'm trying to save a little dough for the Xbox 360.
Thanks!
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User profile for user: btabz
btabz
User level: Level 7
26,655 points

Nov 2, 2005 6:53 PM in response to Luke Breland

1) It will charge once you connect it. It may appear that it is frozen again, but if you let it sit for 30 minutes connected to the computer, it will charge and have enough juice to boot up. When you connect it now it probably is charging, it just isn't showing it.

2) The hardware will be fine if you let it drain.

3) Yes, just plug it back in and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Again, it may appear to be frozen with the battery charging symbol, but it is charging. Give it time 🙂

4) If it doesn't charge and just won't turn on after. I doubt you will need to send it in as it just froze up and needs to shut off.

btabz
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User profile for user: Luke Breland
Luke Breland Author
User level: Level 1
20 points

Nov 2, 2005 7:01 PM in response to btabz

Okay, I'll give it a shot! It probably shouldn't be too much longer before this battery goes kaput (hopefully). After all, it's been frozen since about noon today (CST), and the backlight is on--it's been frozen on along with everything else. With any luck, this will speed up the battery draining process. I just hope that this isn't something that keeps dragging on and on...

In any case, thanks for your timely input and advice, btabz! Oh, and if anyone else has any other comments/suggestions, please feel free to post them here! Any other insight into this problem--ESPECIALLY any ideas about what may have CAUSED it--might be helpful for anyone with a similar problem and has to browse through multiple threads just to find out how to fix it.
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User profile for user: Luke Breland
Luke Breland Author
User level: Level 1
20 points

Nov 3, 2005 12:15 AM in response to Luke Breland

Update: I'm sorry to keep posting in my own thread, but this is for the benefit of anyone with a similar problem. The battery FINALLY died, and I plugged it into my computer. It wasn't being recognized at first, although a frozen charging symbol did appear on my iPod, so I figured it was charging. Well, I'm using iTunes, so I get up to change the playlist, and lo and behold--my iPod pops up in the source menu! The charging icon shows that it's charging steadily, etc., etc.

So, I just want to say that this worked, and if you're keeping an eye on this btabz, thanks a bunch! I obviously don't know yet whether it will freeze when I get it into my car again, but that will have to wait until tomorrow on my way to class. Now I just hope that the battery's ability to hold the charge won't be affected. Thanks again!
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iPod mini frozen, can't restore--please help!!!!

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