Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

0 points

Itunes will not recognize either ipod

Hi there!

About a month ago, Itunes (my entire computer, really) stopped recognizing either of my Ipods. My situation is this:

I have three cables. One got bumped while in the usb port (about a month ago! Might coincide with when it stopped working) so the usb is bent and it might be shot. I have another perfectly fine white usb to 30 pin cable, and a 3rd party (but apple approved) usb to 30 pin cable. I also have an ipod touch (32gb) and an ipod shuffle (8gb).

I've tried multiple cables in multiple usb ports in multiple configurations. No ipod or configuration of cables has shown any result in the device manager as ipod or apple anything or camera or USB mass storage device. Neither ipod is recognized in windows in any capacity (no drivers installed), but both ipods will charge functionally using any one of the three cords on any of the usb ports.

I'm not sure what to do from here. I've run through quite a few of the apple support things, fully uninstalled itunes, restarted my computer in safe mode and then reinstalled itunes, disabled and re-enabled apple mobile device manager etc etc etc. Short of re-installing windows (which I'd like to avoid) I feel like I've tried everything. Any guidance would be welcome!

Posted on Sep 15, 2012 1:51 PM

21 replies

Fleetfeetz Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 20, 2012 10:55 PM in response to colnf

Neither ipod will show up in the device manager at all! Not as a mass storage device (Hardware ID for the only instance of USB mass storage device does not match an Ipod, and it does not come/go with unplugging / plugging in the ipod) nor as a camera or other device.

All related apple services (ipod service, bonjour, and mobile device service) are running, according to services.

As for Itunes uninstalls, I've done it manually as per Apple's instructions every time, though I have never run Ccleaner to clean the registry after uninstalling! I'll try that now.

I also have had firewalls and any security programs disabled for installs and uninstalls, so they shouldn't be inhibiting anything.

I also tried to connect my Ipod touch to a friend's laptop a few weeks ago, and it was recognized instantly (though if I remember, it was recognized as corrupted). I reset it shortly afterwards, and have not checked since. I'll find time to take my cables and my ipod touch to a friend's house to see if it will connect on their computer tomorrow)

(For the record and somewhat curiously : My Ipod Shuffle doesn't actually charge. It just boots up when plugged in, then immediately crashes with a low battery warning. If it's related / helpful information, then cool! Otherwise ignore it, that Ipod is a few years old now, it's allowed to retire 😀)
,

Again, thanks for all your help! I hope we can fix this!

Fleetfeetz Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 20, 2012 11:00 PM in response to Fleetfeetz

Uninstall itunes -> Ccleaner -> reinstall itunes leaves me with the same problem

Also, I've worked my way through most of the applicable apple support documents. Taking screenshots is a cool feature, but it doesn't make my computer recognize my ipod as a camera 😝

colnf

Level 1

10 points

Sep 21, 2012 3:38 AM in response to Fleetfeetz

Has to be said I'm running out of ideas, the only things I can suggest is to try and identify if the problem is with your ipod(s) or with your computer.

1. find someone who has a computer (and windows 7) and try attach your ipod with your connector to it. If their computer sees the ipod the problem is on your computer.

2. If it doesn't see it check with other connectors, but I can't see how it can be this as it's effecting your itouch and nano!

3. find someone who has an ipod and ask them to connect it to your machine, if your machine doesn't see it then their is definately a problem with windows, if it does see it, I'm confused, because 1 would suggest this isn't possible! (hope this doesn't happen.

What are the solutions?

If you identify the problem is with your ipod, check that the connector ends are all clean (no dirt, blocking), then try again. If that doesn't work then buy a new one ;-) or take it to an apple store and ask them to look at it.

If the problem is not with the ipod (ie. works on friends computer, then you'd need to start looking at windows solutions such as:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itprohardware/thread/dd9cd509 -f9ac-4295-a75b-863f92f5595f

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-GB/w7itprohardware/thread/07680b7d -32f7-4d36-918e-1da48aa5ca36

but the reality is I'm sstruggling now to find a solution. Any one else out there with a bright idea.

colnf

Level 1

10 points

Sep 21, 2012 4:27 AM in response to colnf

ok I have another potential solution which is a bit extreme but hey you've tried everything else.

Effectively you want to re-initialise your computers usb ports in windows it means going through the device manager and trying to identify if any of the usb ports set up here are linked to your ipod., then you uninstall them / disable them

to do this

If you see "USB Mass Storage Device" listed:

This driver could represent the iPod, or other devices. To find out if it represents the iPod or not, right-click on this entry and choose Properties. Click the Details tab, and in the drop-down menu, choose Hardware Ids. If the entries here begin with "USB\VID_05AC", then you know that this entry represents iPod. If more than one USB Mass Storage Device entry is listed, perform the same check on each of these until you find the one whose hardware id begins with "USB\VID_05AC". if they have the code USB\VID_0000&PID_0000 then this means that windows can't read the device id (so it could be your ipod!)Uninstall all these devices, stop and restart windows, cross fingers and attach your ipod.

if this doesnt work

Disconnect the device, and unplug all USB devices from your computer. Shut your computer down and then power it back on.

Reconnect your device, testing each USB port for approximately 30 seconds to see if your device is recognized.
Test with an alternate, known-good 30-pin to USB cable if available.
Temporarily disable any USB Enhanced Host Controller or USB 2.0 Host Controller entries in the Device Manager, under the USB Controllers section. Do this by right-clicking on them, and choosing Disable.
Note: This may temporarily disable your USB keyboard or mouse. If this happens, disconnect your USB keyboard and mouse, ito re-enable them. Or, if you are using a portable PC, connect an external keyboard and mouse, if necessary.
After disabling USB Enhanced Host Controller or USB 2.0 Host Controller entries, reconnect your device.
If your device shows up in iTunes, try re-enabling your USB 2.0 entries by right-clicking them in the Device Manager, and choosing Enable. If the issue returns, you may disable the USB 2.0 hubs as a temporary work-around, keeping in mind that sync will occur slowly, at USB 1.1 speeds. For a permanent resolution, consult your computer manufacturer for any updates for your USB 2.0 chipset.

Note: If "Unknown Device" appears when connecting your device to more than one known-good computer, with more than one known-good USB cable, your device may require service. You can find your device's service options at the Online Service Assistant. You may have questions about servicing your device, and you can find answers to frequent questions in this FAQ. To find Apple's contact information in your country, refer to Contacting Apple for Support and Service. If there is an Apple Retail Store nearby, find the closest store and then make a reservation through the online Apple Store Concierge. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Fleetfeetz Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 21, 2012 2:44 PM in response to colnf

I'm reasonably sure it isn't a problem with my USB ports! I've isolated it to an ipod / apple ( / windows) problem, as both my phone (samsung) and camera (canon) connect via usb to my computer without issues. I'll try that fix if I get desperate, but I believe I've already allowed for that.

My plan of action right now is this: I'll take my ipod to a friend's to test it on their windows 7 64 bit itunes. If it is recognized on their computer, I'll see if it reads it as corrupted and allow itunes to perform whatever fix it invariably will have for my problem. If that works, I'll take it home and try it again on my computer.

If it isn't recognized OR was recognized but not repaired OR the repair didn't fix anything, I'll reset the ipod and reformat my hard drive and reinstall windows, effectively returning both to "factory state". I'll then attempt to install itunes and connect my ipod -before- applying my backup to see if it recognizes. If it doesn't recognize on a fresh, pure install of windows and a reset ipod, I'm pretty sure I'll have initiated a paradox and that the world will end shortly after, so I probably won't care much about my ipod not working anymore, anyways.

Again, thanks for all your help, colnf! At the very least, you've helped me learn things about my computer ^^

colnf

Level 1

10 points

Sep 24, 2012 1:13 AM in response to Fleetfeetz

good luck, just has a problem myself, updated ti ios 6 and itunes reports I've no disk space left! and I now havce problems connecting to my itouch.

Guess I should have just left it alone!!!!

Itunes will not recognize either ipod