iPod mini seen on desktop, not in iTunes

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Level 1

8 points

iPod mini seen on desktop, not in iTunes

The iPod is fully charged, I have reset it about 4 times, I've restarted my computer, and I've done everything else detailed here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/695939?start=0&tstart=0

(though one of the messages is for a Windows computer)

I am on a MacBook running OS X (10.6.8) - as much as my MacBook, bought in 2007, can handle.

My ipod mini has always worked just fine with my MacBook. But now:

It shows up on the desktop when i plug it in
It shows the "do not disonnect" screen (as it should)
It does NOT show up in iTunes

What's changed between the time the iPod worked with iTunes and now:

I was playing it while I thought I was charging it, but hadn't plugged it in properly. It shut down - and all of my music on it was erased
I went from OS X 10.4 all the way to OS X (10.6.8)
I've updated iTunes several times since then (really, does a week go by when iTunes *isn't* updated?

So.... other ideas not already named at

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/695939?start=0&tstart=0

?

I also have an iBook clamshell running OS 9, with the last version of iTunes that would work on such, but it doesn't work on that - and from what I've read, it never did work on OS 9.

iPod classic, It's actually an iPod mini

Posted on Jun 25, 2012 11:41 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Kenichi Watanabe

Level 8

41,572 points

Jun 25, 2012 2:01 PM in response to jcravens

It's good that you tried all of those things already. Have you tried doing a Reset

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1320

while it is connected (with docking cable) to the Mac that is running iTunes?

Since this is an old iPod mini, do you use USB or FireWire to connect it. It should work with either, but it may work better with FireWire (if you have a FireWire docking cable).

Does the iPod mini still work properly when it is disconnected? Charges, plays songs, displays its screens and menus...

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Answer 2

planb77

Level 7

32,434 points

Jun 26, 2012 7:04 AM in response to jcravens

Others who have run into this issue, have been able to resolve it by doing a low level reformat of the iPod's storage disk using Disk Utility. See here for more information.

http://www.methodshop.com/gadgets/ipodsupport/erase/

B-rock

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Answer 3

jcravens Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 26, 2012 8:14 AM in response to jcravens

"Have you tried doing a Reset... while it is connected (with docking cable) to the Mac that is running iTunes?"

Yes. Three times. Like I said - I've tried everything detailed here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/695939?start=0&tstart=0

"Since this is an old iPod mini, do you use USB or FireWire to connect it. It should work with either, but it may work better with FireWire (if you have a FireWire docking cable)."

No FireWire docking cable for the iPod (frown)

"Does the iPod mini still work properly when it is disconnected? Charges, plays songs, displays its screens and menus..."

Yes - although, as I said, all music is gone. But otherwise, it works just fine.

"doing a low level reformat of the iPod's storage disk using Disk Utility. "

Looked hopeful! But... got an error. Tried it a couple of times... in fact, every time iTunes starts up when I plug in my iPod (and it always does, even if it won't show my iPod mini on the left side), I get an error saying.... something about not being able to fix the device...

I'm wondering if I should try an alternative to iTunes and see if *that* can see the iPod mini...

Thanks, Kenichi Watanabe and planb77, for trying. It's appreciated.

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Answer 4

planb77

Level 7

32,434 points

Jun 26, 2012 8:25 AM in response to jcravens

What was the erorr you received via Disk Utility? Have you tried restoring your iPod on another Mac or PC to see if that makes a difference?

B-rock

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Answer 5

Jun 26, 2012 12:41 PM in response to jcravens

It's possible that the tiny 1" hard drive in your iPod mini has gone bad, since you are not able to format it using Disk Utility. If that is the case, you won't be able to fix it (without replacing the hard drive).

If you are good at fixing things, you could try to replace the hard drive.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-iPod-Mini-Hard-Drive/412/1

The hard drive part is a "Microdrive," which is supposed to be compatible with a Compact Flash (Type II) card. Here is one example of a tutorial online to do this "upgrade."

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ipod-mini-to-32gig-and-new-battery-without-scrat ch/

Using this method, you can certainly take it above the current 4GB or 6GB, and probably get better battery life (because a compact flash card has no moving parts). Speaking of the battery, you can buy a replacement on eBay (or other online source) and change it at the same time.

I put a compact flash card into a 4th gen iPod, using an adapter because the 4G iPod cannot use it directly like the iPod mini. It worked very well. One neat effect was no more delays as the hard drive spun up, and no low "hum" (or vibration) when the hard drive was spinning. It seemed like battery life was better, although I did not do any formal tests to measure play time per charge. But I have not done the upgrade with an iPod mini.

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