4th Gen iPod Users - are we all having the same problem?

It seems I am not the only one having this problem - that half of everyone with a 4th Gen Click Wheel seems to be having the same issues. All the sudden, our iPods froze out of nowhere, lost USB/Firewire support, stopped working, got the sad iPod icon or the folder, and generally wouldn't work. Well I found a thread where someone had the same problem and hit it on his desk and it worked. I thought it couldn't hurt to try since I had nothing to lose - but instead tried it on a softer carpeted floor. After about a minute of this - it magically turned on! All my music was still there!

But then I plugged it into my computer (MacBook Pro), wasn't recognized by iTunes or the Finder - but Disk Utility could recognize it. So I completely cleared it twice. But afterwards, nothing could recognize it still. So I took my software that I originally got with it and formatted it on my PC, strangely it worked. So I thought, "great!" However, it couldn't be recognized by any iPod Updater... So I plugged it into my MacBook again, and it was recognized by iTunes and the Finder, but not the Updater. At the moment I have 9-23-2004 on it, I believe, because I used the software I got with my iPod. I was able to load some music onto it, but at song 221, it stopped and froze iTunes and the Finder. So I restarted the computer, reset my iPod a couple of times, did a Hard Drive check in diagnostic mode, and then reset it again. The same thing happened - it froze on song 221. (By the way, I have a 20GB B&W screen).

Is this something that was caused by the 3-23-2006 Updater? It seems a lot of people are having the same problem. The thing is - if I can't fix it, I might as well buy a new iPod because it costs about 1/2 of what it would be to buy the same iPod again refurbished for them to just call and send it to Apple. I'd rather not buy a new one...I kind of wanted to wait for the AV or whatever will come out around the holidays this year.

Anyways, if any Mac genius has any other ideas that I could try, I'll do anything. I'm pretty computer/Mac-literate, but I'm just at the end of my rope here. Thanks,

Raleigh

4th Gen Click Wheel B&W, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Apr 14, 2006 9:50 PM

69 replies

Mitch 751

Level 6

11,644 points

Jul 10, 2006 10:50 PM in response to Robert Hendrix

Have a try the following

For Mac computer
1. Open the disk utility, hope your iPod appears there (left hand side), highlight it
2. Go to Tab “Partition”, click either “Delete” or “Partition”, if fails, skip this step and go to 3
3. Go to Tab “Erase” , choose Volume Format as “MAC OS Extended (Journaled), and click Erase, again if fails, skip it and go to 4
4. Same as step 3, but open the “Security Options....” and choose “Zero Out Data” before click Erase. It will take 1 to 2 hours to complete.
5. Eject your iPod and do a Reset
6. Open the iPod Updater and click “Restore”

Jul 11, 2006 12:13 AM in response to raleighhimself

Holy crap, I have found a place I can be accepted, because Im having the same problem. Everything on mine is updated 10.4.7, iTunes 6.0.5(20). 4th gen iPod shows up on my G5's Disk Utility but does not show in Finder nor iTunes. Looked at what Apple suggested for this issue and couldnt help but laugh http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60950. Because even on my 3 week old MacBook the iPod only shows up in Disk Utility and not in Finder nor iTunes. What puzzles me now is that my girlfriends U2 iPod has the same 3.1.1 firmware update as mine and my G5 and MacBook can see it in iTunes and Finder. What the ... I thought it would be firmware, now im not so sure. I dont get it.

Jul 11, 2006 9:25 PM in response to Mitch 751

Thanks for the suggestions. Went through it with the same results. Hangs at about the same place each time. I'm going to try it one more time.

Jul 11, 2006 9:42 PM in response to raleighhimself

Yes, my iPod has been acting up since the updates. My computer sometimes recognizes it and sometimes it doesn't.

I can't use it at all. I keep getting that folder that gives me the address to well....here.

This is clearly a flaw of the update, let's just hope that apple doesn't take forever to solve this issue like they did with the smart-playlists that went dumb. And I sure as **** don't plan to pay them anything for getting this fixed.

Mitch 751

Level 6

11,644 points

Jul 11, 2006 10:34 PM in response to Robert Hendrix

Hi,

Try to find a PC, then do a Resotre or Format there, does not matter it manages to go through, reconnect it with your Mac afterward, and redo the step above.

sojamus

Level 1

15 points

Jul 11, 2006 10:35 PM in response to Jester the Slacker

Hi
This issue has been much debated. I had once solved a similar pb due to update and after 4 months my iPod is still OK when I had though it was dead. My thread may help you:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=453931

Jul 15, 2006 5:51 PM in response to Mitch 751

"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"

I tried everything I read on this forum and I could not get my iPod to stop freezing when I cnnected it to my computer. Since I do not have a warranty anymore I went ahead and pulled off the back and disconnected the hard drive and the battery. To my pleasant surprise it worked! Phew! I was very close to writing off Apple because of the lack of attention these problems are getting. I'd still like to see them address these problems cause that's pretty shoddy if they don't.

Mitch 751

Level 6

11,644 points

Jul 15, 2006 6:41 PM in response to websterbud

Glad to hear that it works in your case, hope that the new iPod will have an extra reset button instead of opening the case and disconnecting.

luneckas

Level 1

0 points

Jul 16, 2006 1:51 PM in response to raleighhimself

I have a 4th gen and a touch pad ipod. The touch pad works great. I had some trouble, but nothing too serious. My other ipod worked for a month, I had troubles ever since. I have a repetitive running and clicking sound with a frown face. Also experienced all symptoms stated in this tread. Support page didn't help me.
Now I have a nice paper weight on my desk.
Come on apple, help us!

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4th Gen iPod Users - are we all having the same problem?