iPod Sad Face, unrecoverable?

Suggestions when you run into a problem of a Sad iPod icon or a folder icon with exclamation point with your iPod.

1. Try these five steps (known as the five Rs) will conquer most iPod issues.
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/

2. Try to put the iPod into Disk Mode if it fails to appear on the desktop
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93651

Still can't see your iPod?

Several things could keep iPod from appearing in iTunes or in the Desktop/Finder when you connect it to your PC/Mac. The most likely causes are listed below in logical order. Check each one starting from the top of the list to see if that is what's keeping iPod from appearing.

3. Try to wait 30 minutes while iPod is charging.
4. Try another known-good FireWire or USB through Dock Connector cable.
5. Try another known-good FireWire or USB port on your computer .
6. Try to disconnect all devices from your computer's FireWire and USB ports.
7. Try to connect on a different computer i.e. a PC formatted iPod connect with a Mac computer or Mac formatted iPod with a Window base PC.
8. Try to do a Erase (Disk Utility) on a Mac computer or a reformat with a PC (Disk Management tool) but ensure you choose the right Drive (your iPod not your Hard Disk of your computer).

If one of the above step helps to get your iPod to be recognized with your computer, do a Restore.
But, if none of these steps address the issue, your iPod may need to be repaired. You can arrange for service at the iPod Service Website.

If you still cant solve the problem, please post here again

I have the same problem can anyone help. ive heard that people have fixed them with the folder problem but is there a fix that i can do with this problem as its past my warantee 😟

i have this EXACT problem. i need help too. i cant even restore it.

but my iPod was also left outside and might have recieved possible water damage, but i didnt take it to apple to fix it. it worked after that. but now, 3 months later...this is what it does.

Hello wesselisgr8,
Unless your iPod's HD is totally dead, I believe it can be fixed as I did couple of times.
As your iPod formatted on a PC, when you plug it with a Mac computer, it will likely to get force mounted in this way. Then you can do a Restore there. Some cases I needed to use the Disk Utility to do a Erase (equals to do a REFORMAT in PC's term), then followed by doing a Restore. Once you can reach this stage, open the iPod updater with your PC, and wait until you are asked to plug your iPod with it. Then do a Restore which may take a few minutes, so be patient and try a few attempts.
In case you cant find a Mac around your area, go to the nearest Apple Shop and ask them a favour.

Second option, which I copy from other posters
Try to run the iPod in “Diagnostic mode” . which can be accessed by pushing the “hold” switch into the “on” position and then “off” (into the original position). Then press the following buttons in the following order: “menu” plus “select” (centre button) then press “reverse” plus “select”. This will take you to the hidden diagnostic mode screen menu. It may take a few trials and pressing the buttons in the right way for this to work, so be patient and keep trying if you have to. The diagnostic mode will give you 7 choices which are: Memory, IO, Power, Status, SysCfg, Diskmode, and Reset. Don’t bother trying “reset” because in my case it didn’t work it just took me back to the same problem. Instead, choose “diskmode”, after which you should get an odd looking “ok to disconnect” sign on the iPod screen

I am having the same problem I have a 4th gen 20 gig the first thing my ipod did was freeze and then I got the sad face file then I got a frozen battery charge icon??? never seen that one b4 I have since tried to reset and get my ipod into disk mode but all I have been getting to is the frozen battery icon please advise as to what else I might try to unfreeze my ipod

Dell Dimension 4600 Windows XP Pro

Sad iPod icon = Hard disk failure or corrupted system files with the iPod. Your iPod may not have sufficient power at the mom due to it does not get charged. You must do a Restore to get over it. I suggest that you should find a Mac and do a Restore there.

i have tried all this and it still doesn't work do you have any other suggestions?