WIndows Explorer/iTunes wont reccognize iPod mini

Question

WIndows Explorer/iTunes wont reccognize iPod mini

I realize there are alot of topics on this forum along these same lines (product defect?) but I'm starting a new one, because I couldn't find any helpful information in the others about my problem. I'm going to be a specific as possible.

I have a 4GB iPod mini, which has seemed to work fine since I got it last month (it was a replacement of my last iPod, from Apple, whose battery had gone bad). However, in the past few days whenever I plug it into my computer, iTunes will not reccognize it. It will not appear in My Computer, either. It will, however, display a message in the icons on the taskbar saying that a USB mass-strage device is connected. Also, the "Do Not Connect" screan appears on my iPod, when it's connected.

I've also checked under the device manager; the USB port that I plug the iPod into is powered, and it does reccognize that a USB mass storage device is being plugged in.

I've checked, and my iPod is formatted for Windows. I've also tried the "Reset all settings," opetion, but it does not help. I've also tried redownloading and reinstalling the iTunes and the iPod software. These do not help. I cannot reformat my iPod, because the iPod software doesn't reccognize that it's plugged in.

Help.

iPod Mini, Windows XP Pro, Service Pack 2

Posted on Dec 3, 2005 1:35 PM

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Answer 1

Buegie

Level 6

13,331 points

Dec 3, 2005 2:37 PM in response to Luke Hutchinson

You may have seem some/all of these, but here they are:

Unfortunately, there is no one ‘Silver Bullet’ answer for this issue. Many things can contribute to the problem. Here are various solutions that you can try to correct your problem. One should work.

Try Resetting Your iPod while it's connected to the computer.
Hold down the Menu and Select buttons until you see the Apple logo (or Menu & Play/Pause in older models).
This will often get it recognized. It may take several attempts.

Try closing and re-starting iTunes. There have been cases where iTunes refuses to see an iPod, but after re-starting, it works again.

Also try re-booting the entire computer. Especially if the PC has been operating for a long time &/or many programs have been opened and closed, repeatedly.

Other USB connected peripherals may be the cause as well. Try removing all connected USB items and attaching the iPod. If you have a USB keyboard, it may be worth a try using the adapter to convert it to non-USB. If the iPod connects, continue plugging things back in until you have the problem return. You may have then isolated the issue. Sometimes it could be a printer, camera, Flash Card reader, or other attached device causing a conflict.

If your iPod shows up in Explorer under 'my computer' try changing the drive letter: Click on Start=>Control Panel=>Admin Tools=>Computer Management=>Disk Management. Right-Click on the iPod and select “change drive letter”. Choose something further along in the alphabet that is unused. Usually, “M”, “N”, “O” (or something similar).

If that doesn't work, Put Your iPod into Disk Mode then plug it in and you should be able to Restore the iPod

Also try these hints (and the other suggestions above) from any other USB port you may have on the PC. Sometimes switching USB ports can make all the difference.

Also See:
Your Windows PC doesn't recognize iPod
iPod does not appear in iTunes or on the desktop
iPod appears in Windows Explorer but does not appear in iTuneshttp://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1222335#1222335

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Answer 2

Dec 3, 2005 3:05 PM in response to Buegie

"
Try Resetting Your iPod while it's connected to the computer.
Hold down the Menu and Select buttons until you see the Apple logo (or Menu & Play/Pause in older models).
This will often get it recognized. It may take several attempts."

Tried this, several times, and it didn't seem to help

"Try closing and re-starting iTunes. There have been cases where iTunes refuses to see an iPod, but after re-starting, it works again.

Also try re-booting the entire computer. Especially if the PC has been operating for a long time &/or many programs have been opened and closed, repeatedly."

I tried both of these before. I probably should have mentioned that in my first post

"
Other USB connected peripherals may be the cause as well. Try removing all connected USB items and attaching the iPod. If you have a USB keyboard, it may be worth a try using the adapter to convert it to non-USB. If the iPod connects, continue plugging things back in until you have the problem return. You may have then isolated the issue. Sometimes it could be a printer, camera, Flash Card reader, or other attached device causing a conflict."

Tried it. The only other USB I had plugged in was a game controller, and unplugging it didn't help

"
If your iPod shows up in Explorer under 'my computer' try changing the drive letter: Click on Start=>Control Panel=>Admin Tools=>Computer Management=>Disk Management. Right-Click on the iPod and select “change drive letter”. Choose something further along in the alphabet that is unused. Usually, “M”, “N”, “O” (or something similar)."

It doesn't appear in "My Computer". I tried following those steps, though, and under the disc manager, it reccognized the iPod was there (with no drive letter assigned). And I tried assigning it a drive letter (Screenshot: http://home.graffiti.net/kabukistar:graffiti.net/ipod.JPG), but then it still didn't show up in iTunes or "My Computer." Also, when I went back to disc management again, it said that it didn't have a drive letter again.

"
If that doesn't work, Put Your iPod into Disk Mode then plug it in and you should be able to Restore the iPod."

I tried that, but the same thing happens when my iPod is in disc mode; it just doesn't reccognize it

"
Also try these hints (and the other suggestions above) from any other USB port you may have on the PC. Sometimes switching USB ports can make all the difference."

Tried it earlier. Didn't help

I tried looking at those articles, but I couldn't find any steps that applied to me that I didn't try already.

I'd rather not send it in for service, if I could, because this is already a replacement of my first iPod mini, which I only got a few weeks ago. It shouldn't need to go back so soon.

Custom Windows AthalonXP PC. Windows XP Pro SP 2

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Answer 3

Dec 3, 2005 4:19 PM in response to Luke Hutchinson

Pretty basic - but - I'm New to IPod and ITunes and had the same problem. Make sure your IPod is turned on = on the back of the IPod the on-off switch has to be down so that on shows green at the top of the switch. I didn't realize that my IPod was off soI reset everything and downloaded the CD several times - then discovered that I didn't have the seitch to on (green). Felt a little foolis, but looking at the problem - wasn't much clarity in the directions for IPod from Apple. I turned the IPod on, plugged it in and the icon showed up under the Source material in Itunes.

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Answer 4

Dec 3, 2005 9:01 PM in response to KnifeMaker

What are you talkinga bout? There's no on/off switch on an iPod mini.

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Answer 5

Buegie

Level 6

13,331 points

Dec 3, 2005 10:54 PM in response to Luke Hutchinson

Luke,

Seems you've gone through everything I have in my 'solutions post' without any success.

The only thing I can think of is to try the same things on another computer (both PC and Mac if you have access). If that works, and your PC does not, then it may be time to diagnose the computer.

If the iPod does not respond to another PC, then send it back to Apple before your original 1-year, or 90-day replacement (whichever is longer) warranty runs out.

Best of Luck

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Answer 6

Buegie

Level 6

13,331 points

Dec 3, 2005 10:56 PM in response to KnifeMaker

!??! Whoa...Lost me as well. Maybe talking about a shuffle? Not any other iPod.

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Answer 7

Dec 4, 2005 3:19 AM in response to Buegie

I am very sympathetic with the guy who has tried everything and his ipod isn't recognised by his computer. I am in the same position and it is very annoying. What annoys me most is Apple being aware of these problems and not doing anything about it. It you purchased a TV from Sony and it goes wrong they either fix it or replace it. Same goes with any other piece of electronics equipment. If it does not work then they sort it. But for some reason because it is an ipod people are happy to accept that if it can go wrong - it will go wrong - and theu will have to try and spend 12 hours/days/months trying to sort it out. I paid a lot of money for 2 ipods for my kids and neither of them work. I own a Sony MP3 player and it is brilliant (it costs about the same as an Ipod). Apple seem to have the attitude .... oh well, it breaks easy - try messing around on our web site with 500 different ways of fixing 5000 different problems. I know they are great when they work - but they are not a lot of good when they don't. I am very annoyed about this. I try ringing the help line - no answer or continually engaged (no surprise if there are loads of people complaining). I try ringing an Apple store (same problem) if I had the number of a help line where I would pay I would call it (anyone know a good help line?). My problme is the computer will not recognise the Ippod. I am soooooooooooo angry!!!!!!)

ipod miini Windows 98 thinking of binning it and buying a different manufacturer

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Answer 8

Buegie

Level 6

13,331 points

Dec 4, 2005 9:16 AM in response to Bill Bates

Bill,

"What annoys me most is Apple being aware of these problems and not doing anything about it."

I'd disagree with you for several reasons:

There are over 30 million iPods sold so far. A very small percentage do have problems, but even that percentage will, in raw numbers, result in 'many' folks with legitimate iPod mechanical problems. Try the math on that, even with a 2% failure rate.

Actual iPod mechanical problem are another issue. Many of the solutions to get the iPod recognized by the PC are dealing with individual PC interface problems, not a specific problem with the iPod. Designing a complex piece of equipment like the iPod to work with every type of user installed PC nightmare is next to impossible. Even the 'best' maintained PCs can have interaction issues that conflict with the iPod (or other device). I'll not go into the 'less optimally' maintained PCs out there.....

To use the same paintbrush that those with iPod problems use: Many of the folks with connectivity problems find that using a different PC oftentimes gets the iPod recognized. What does that suggest? Surely not an iPod issue? Many folks here also complain that they sent their iPod back to Apple, only to have it returned as 'working', 'no problem apparent'. The Apple techs that work on the iPod are not paid to reject legitimate problems, nor are they brainless. Again, this suggests something other than the iPod as an issue.

I can appreciate your anger, but you'll need to look at the larger picture and understand that trying to diagnose your PC issue is not what Apple is primarily interested in doing. They have graciously created these Discussions so user-to-user assistance can be offered.

Just my $.02 based on working with computers since the early 1980s. I seem to have developed an appreciation/understanding/tolerance of the enormous complexity involved when trying to marry multiple software packages, drivers, devices and connections into one seamless package. Throw in the latest problems of spyware, viruses, firewalls and the software to deal with them, and it gets even more convoluted

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Answer 9

Dec 4, 2005 2:03 PM in response to Buegie

Ok, so I tried it with another computer (my Laptop, on a USB 1.1 port). And the weird thing is, it didn't even reccognize that anything was plugged in at first, but then when I went to the device manager, and checked out the USB root hub, power tab, to see what was attached, it suddely popped up with the little window reccognizing that it was an iPod mini attached. After that, iTunes reccognized it, and I could transfer songs normally.

I plugged it back into my desktop, and it still didn't work. So... I guess the problem is in my computer's compatability...

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Answer 10

Dec 4, 2005 2:29 PM in response to Buegie

No problem with you disagreeing with me and I admit that the ipod has been a great success - but if there 30 million ipods and if there is a 2% failure rate then it means there is 60,000 broken ipods and 60,000 unsatisfied customers out there. If my company had 60,000 dissatisfied customers I would do something more to help them. I think they have a good product but I product that goes wrong far too often for my liking. If it does go wrong then it is very difficult to fix and it does nothing for customer service. I spent 4 hours AGAIN today trying to sort out my sons ipod. (My daughter has decided she doesn't want her fixing she is so annoyed and we actually had a throwing it in the bin ceremony. She is 19 and she knows her own mind. To the use the excuse that other peoples computers are the issue is not good enough for me. I have a Sony MP3 player which is easy to update with Sonicstage - it is the same computer doing the updating, same CD's being copied and the same people doing the copying. My kids borrow my Song player now. (There is also a problem with the Ipod batteries conking out which is a separate issue because I cant even get them to be recognised by my PC. I do know a bit about PC's myself - I am not an idiot - just a frustrated customer who feels conned out of my hard earned cash. As for looking at the larger picture..... I know that all what Apple ar trying to achieve is make money - I have no problem with that - but isn't customer service important too? Perhaps they should go back to the drawing board and design something that works more consistently. P.S. I am still annoyed.

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Answer 11

Buegie

Level 6

13,331 points

Dec 4, 2005 2:53 PM in response to Luke Hutchinson

Luke,

Good news, bad news....

At least you know that the iPod does work. If you sent it back to Apple, they would not find anything wrong with it, and just return it to you. You might be out the ~$35 shipping charge (if applicable).

Now the difficult part is to determine just what in the PC environment is causing the conflict. That's a tough one, as many things could contribute to it. Could be one specific program/driver, or a combination.

The simple (and unpalatable) I.T. answer to this is to backup everything, re-format, and re-image the PC. Could be easy, or could be time-consuming depending on your situation and resources. Not sure you would want to go down that road unless you exhaust all other possibilities.

Maybe another member more expert in this will come along to assist. I'm pretty much out of 'easy' fixes that can be communicated via these Discussions.

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Answer 12

Buegie

Level 6

13,331 points

Dec 4, 2005 3:11 PM in response to Bill Bates

Bill,

I used 2% as a SWAG at a 'reasonable' failure rate for any low-cost, complex electronic equipment. I thought I was aiming high, as 2% of 30 million is 600,000 failures, not 60,000 (that would be 0.2%). I do think that the actual rate is between these two numbers, but that's just a guess.

As for customer service, Apple will (and does) replace any defective iPod. As in Luke's case above, what should Apple do? It's not the iPod. It could be the Updater software (doubtful) or iTunes (possible), but it may not be. It could be driver interactions, TSR complications, or Malware (very likely). How do you expect any company to code for all the possibilities, or staff up to solving it on a case-by-case basis?

Maybe if we all paid another $100 for the iTunes program, &/or paid more for the iPod itself?

I bet that if you found a forum for the Sony player, you would also see similar (or even more) complaints. Do they even have a dedicated place to go? Are there enough of those Sony users to even warrant it, or are the mixed in with the general sites? While you have not had a problem with the Sony, I guarantee that others have, and in proportions equal to or greater than the iPod.

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Answer 13

Buegie

Level 6

13,331 points

Dec 4, 2005 3:14 PM in response to Buegie

Luke,

Another thought...

Search these Discussions for 'Malware' and the work that 'b noir' and 'Katrina' have done in the 'iTunes for Windows' forum.

It's worth pursuing.

Best of Luck

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Answer 14

Dec 4, 2005 3:21 PM in response to Buegie

Do you think using Windows to reformat my iPod would help? Or just totally break it?

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Answer 15

Buegie

Level 6

13,331 points

Dec 4, 2005 3:26 PM in response to Luke Hutchinson

I would not use Windows to reformat the iPod. You'll have to Restore the iPod after that, anyway. Search the Discussions to see if it would be any help. It may, but I doubt it.

You can try Restoring it via the other PC, then see if the faster PC 'sees' the iPod after the Restore.

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