iPod not Recognized by Windows 7

Some questions before proceeding.

What model Dell do you have? Is that a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 that you have?

(I want to check the Dell downloads pages for your model to check to see if there's a Windows 7 hardware-specific issue afoot.)

🙂 No problems ice.

Just doublechecking ... is that the "Studio Desktop Slim 540s"? (Want to just make sure I'm looking at the right page for your model.)

Ta!

Okay ... I think it's an Intel chipset, which would rule out issues with USB issues on systems with nVidia chipsets and 4 GB or more of RAM running Windows 7. (There's a Windows Hotfix available for that, but it isn't relevant to Intel chipsets.)

It's probably worth checking first to make sure you're up to date on the BIOS, SATA Drives, and Video driver updates listed at your downloads page. (Unfortunately, I keep getting errors when I check for further info on the updates at Dell at your page.)

[Drivers & Downloads for Studio Desktop Slim 540s|http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?os=W764&catid=- 1&dateid=-1&impid=-1&osl=EN&typeid=-1&formatid=-1&servicetag=&SystemID=STUDIO540 S&hidos=WLH&hidlang=en&TabIndex=]

Do you have any better luck with recognition with those updates in place?

Okay ... just doublechecking something. Which particular iPod model do you have?

[Identifying iPod models|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1353]

Thanks again. That rules out involvement by the Apple Mobile Device Support drivers.

Let's revisit the standard Windows USB drivers again. In the *iPod only: Updating, or in some cases reinstalling, the drivers for your computer's USB interface may resolve this issue* section of the following document, there's some additional advice on what to try if Windows doesn't autodetect the drivers for you:

[iPhone or iPod is not recognized properly by computer when USB drivers are not installed properly or are out of date|http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1538]

Your PC is right, and the document is wrong ... with an iTunes 9.0.2.25 64-bit, the AMDS is 64-bit. So it lurks around in program files rather than in program files (x86).

Okay ... other USB related issues. Do you have any non-essential USB peripherals on the PC? (Like a printer or a scanner or an exHD?) If so, can you get the driver to install properly if you connect the iPod with those other USB items unplugged?

... Grrrrr indeed ...

Hmmmmm ... it would be unusual to see this on a brand new PC, but sometimes these sorts of driver not found errors can be related to drive damage.

Try running a disk check over your C drive, as per the following document:

[How to use CHKDSK (Check Disk)|http://www.w7forums.com/use-chkdsk-check-disk-t448.html]

Does the chkdsk find/repair any damage? If so, does the driver get found?

The relevant drivers for your model of iPod are all part of Windows itself.

... if that's the case, and you're unlucky enough to have a damaged inf file for one of the drivers, an sfc scannow might help with matters. There's instructions in the following document:

[How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7|http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833]

if no joy with that ... are any other USB drives showing up correctly on the PC? Like a thumb drive?