iPod displays a folder icon with an exclamation point

Hi MaitreTiffo,

Welcome to Apple Discussions

Have you tried "The Five Rs"? When you connect your iPod to your computer do you see it in iTunes or in Windows? You might want to also look at Knowledge Base Document #61003 on iPod shows a folder icon with exclamation point when you turn it on.

Jon

The Sad iPods icon or folder with an exclamation mark are the toughest problems to deal with, and must do a Restore in order to fix it. However, when your iPod is showing this icon, it is probably too late for your computer to recognize the iPod.

1. Try these five steps (known as the five Rs) and it would 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 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. Windows users having trouble with their iPods should locate a Mac user. We've found that in many cases when an iPod won't show up on a PC that it will show up on the Mac. Then it can be restored. When the PC user returns to his computer the iPod will be recognized by the PC, reformatted for the PC, and usable again. By the way, it works in reverse too. A Mac user often can get his iPod back by connecting it to a PC and restoring it.

8. Try to do an Erase (Disk Utility) on a Mac computer or a format with a PC (Disk Management tool) but ensure you choose the right Drive (your iPod not your Hard Disk of your computer). You may need to plug and unplug your iPod with the computer for several attempts, and switching around Format and Restore, and hope out of sudden, it will get recognized.

9. Diagnostic mode solution – which I copied from a thread of a post from thinktwice
“Then I cam across this special Diganostics Mode that you can get to by resetting and then while the Apple is showing pressing the Select and backwards keys simultaneously. It bring up and weird Diagnostic utility witha a abunch of tests. Here is what I did
- I tried the 5in1 test and got and error on Firewire.
- I did the HDD R/W and surprisingly it passed.
- I went on to the HDD scan. This supposedly tkaes acouple of minute so I waited. I think 4-5 dots appeared then nothing. The iPod started to get hot. THe disk was spinning away. After a while the battery got very low. THis test chews up the battery. So I escaped out by resetting and went to connect it to a power source.

My USB was dangling out of my computer and I was too lazy to get the Firewire AC adapter thing going so I connected expecting the whole lockup thing with iTunes. Surprise. IT was recognized immediately and has been working like a champ. So go figure.


Details on Diag mode can be found at http://www.methodshop.com/mp3/ipodsupport/diagnosticmode/index.shtml



10.Let me ask you a question, if an iPod with no iPod software with it. When your connect it with a computer, what would happen?
Yeah, the computer will treat it as a fresh external hard disk, which will get force mounted, the computer will ask you to format the iPod. It does not really matter the format is completed or not, the key is to erase (or partly) the corrupted iPod software on the iPod, after that the computer will recognize it.
Once it has been completed, eject your iPod, open the iPod updater and interestingly, you will able to do the Restore this time.
Base on the above, that's why I suggest Windows users who experience trouble with their iPods should locate a Mac machine or vice versa. PC computer will not recognize a Mac formatted iPod, but it will get mounted in an attempt to format your iPod.

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.

I have just read an interesting solution about the Sad iPod, it does make sense but the warranty will be waived once you open the iPod, I would not do it myself as I am not good on doing this

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=412033&tstart=0

Pictures and instructions of how to open the iPod case for battery replacement

http://www.kokopellimusic.us/KM_instructions.htm

Hi Chu101,

Talking like that does not get you anywhere in life. I bet a bunch of people chose not to answer because of your lack of respect and over all bad attitude. (my opinion)

If you haven't looked at/implemented the suggestions above; they you should look iPod - Service FAQ.

Jon

PS I can't help but laugh at your response; a little childish. I understand you are having problems with your iPod, which is aggregating, but your going about it all wrong. Try to stay relaxed and think things through. You might want to look at the facts before tainting your words with libel. If everyone had such a bad attitude when a problem arises, "this world is screwed".

Hi Linaluu45,

(Dude,) You might want to look at Knowledge Base Document #301267 on "Disk cannot be read from or written to" when syncing iPod or "Firmware update failure" error when updating or restoring iPod.

Let us know if you need any more help.

Jon

PS I found that by searching the Apple Knowledge Base, which is at Apple.com/Support. Its just a little search engine (within the Apple Website) that looks for helpful documents.

"are u kidding me. all the links here lead to the same place. and dont tell me how to solve it. flipping my hold button back and forth isn't doing anythign for the problem."

I don't know who your talking to, so maybe you can clarify that. From the way you talked about the hold button; it doesn't seem like you are performing "The Five Rs" correctly. I suggest going to iPod - Service FAQ so someone can help you out.

Jon

Chu,

I have one last thing to say. That is, you need to bring your iPod to get it serviced because I am getting the feeling you would rather have someone spell every little detail out and wave their magical wand to fix it for you. We have given you all the information we can; I am not an Apple employee, just a user. I took time out of my day to try and help you, but I see that it has done nothing for you. My last and final (said before but seemed ignored) suggestion is to look at iPod - Service FAQ. I will not spell it out for you because all the information is there. You can get it serviced, wait for someone else's response to your problem, or just give up and be mad. I am sorry that you have such negative feelings toward Apple, their products, and those who are trying to show you methods on how to fix your iPod.

You might notice that the response you quoted was not towards your post, but towards the original poster. I don't believe they were connecting with you because they did not reply to your post. If you look, on each post there is a reply button to specify which post you want to reply to.

I don't mean to sound rude, condescending, nor angry. Good Luck!

Jon

I have a similar problem. (the iPod was dropped-while wearing its skin-and the icon showed up) I have tried a soft reset, updating iTunes and the iPod, but when prompted to plug the iPod in to update, no matter which USB port I use it does not read it. When trying to force into disc mode (immediately after apple logo comes up on a soft reset press and hold select and play/pause) but that has done nothing but freeze the iPod with the apple logo showing. I still have time to purchase the extended warranty if nobody can help...but please try!

More focus on the following solution

Windows users having trouble with their iPods should locate a Mac user. We've found that in many cases when an iPod won't show up on a PC that it will show up on the Mac. Then it can be restored. When the PC user returns to his computer the iPod will be recognized by the PC, reformatted for the PC, and usable again. By the way, it works in reverse too. A Mac user often can get his iPod back by connecting it to a PC and restoring it.

If your iPod is still under the warranty, the answer is yes. I had the same experience, but I did solve it by doing a Format and follow by Restore. As I suggested above try to find a Mac and do it there. If you cant find a Mac then try to do a Format on PC.

OMG IM SO ****** OFF.
first off it would skip songs.
then it went into folder with exclamation point.
and now it just doesn't turn off and stays in folder mode.
why would you do this to me apple. WHY.
if anybodyu has any ideas or solutions that i can do please tell me. apple is a stupid corp that has no respect for thier costomers. power hungry corp. this world is screwed.

these links aren't helping. why doesn't somebody from tech solve the problem and distribute an answer. instead of wasting my time looking at these terrible links. people in the forum are more helpful. AND that says something. at least they are giving me half a solvution. not a wild goose chase.

Windows XP

Hello chu101

Talking like that does not get you anywhere in life - I could not agree more with this comments. People just tried to give you some helps, which might not able to solve your problem, but at lease we tried and provided with the best knowledge we could. Do not forget that we are not a techician.

Regarding your problem, follow my suggestions above, it will get solved very likely in the method of plugging with a Mac computer.

...i was fine just talking to my fellow forumers. until mr. jon gave some welcoming responses to me. and answering the other part of his response. people did replay becuase of my post. " i know how u feel"

Hello again Chu101,

Of course I understand your situation, but again how about go back to "how to fix your iPod's problem"

Folder with exclamation mark problem can be fixed, trust me, I have managed to solve few times for different kind of iPod, even close to 100% chance (Sad iPod is the most difficult one). Follow my suggestions and try one by one. Good luck