sad faced ipod, but my computer won't recognize it?

Ok let me repeat the suggestions again for you

Hello,

If a sad iPod icon or an exclamation point and folder icon appears on your iPod’s screen, or with sounds of clicking or HD whirring, it is usually the sign of a hard drive problem and you have the power to do something about it now. Your silver bullet of resolving your iPod issue – is to restore your iPod to factory settings.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983

If you're having trouble, try these steps at different levels one at a time until the issue is resolved. These steps will often whip your iPod back into shape.

Make sure you do all the following “TRYs”

A. Try to wait 30 minutes while iPod is charging.
B. Try another FireWire or USB through Dock Connector cable.
C. Try another FireWire or USB port on your computer .
D. Try to disconnect all devices from your computer's FireWire and USB ports.
E. Try to download and install the latest version of iPod software and iTunes
http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
F. Try these five steps (known as the five Rs) and it would conquer most iPod issues.
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/
G. 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

If none of these steps address the issue, you may need to go to Intermediate level listed below in logical order. Check from the top of the lists to see if that is what keeping iPod from appearing on your computer in order for doing the Restore.

Intermediate Level

A. Try to connect your iPod with another computer with the iPod updater pre-installed.

B. Still can’t see your iPod, put it in Disk Mode and connect with a computer, instead of doing a Restore on iPod Updater. Go and format the iPod instead.

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”

For Window computer
Go to folder “My Computer”
Hope you can see your iPod there and right click on the iPod
Choose “Format”. Ensure the settings are at “Default” and that “Quick Format” is not checked
Now select “Format”
Eject your iPod and do a Reset
Open the iPod Updater and click “Restore”
In case you do not manage to do a “Format” on a window computer, try to use some 3rd party disk utility software, e.g.“Partition Magic”.

C. Windows users having trouble with their iPods should locate a Mac user. 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.
Tips
a. It does not matter whether the format is completed or not, the key is to erase (or partly) the corrupted firmware files on the Hard Drive of the iPod. After that, when the iPod re-connected with a computer, it will be recognized as an fresh external hard drive, it will show up on the iPod updater.
b. It is not a difficult issue for a Mac user to find a window base computer, for a PC user, if they can’t find any Mac user, they can go to a nearest Apple Shop for a favor.
c. You may need to switch around the PC and Mac, try to do several attempts between “Format” and “Restore”

Advance Level

A. Diagnostic mode solution
If you have tried trouble shooting your iPod to no avail after all the steps above, chances are your iPod has a hardware problem. The iPod's built-in Diagnostic Mode is a quick and easy way to determine if you have a "bad" iPod.
You need to restart your iPod before putting it into Diagnostic Mode. Check that your hold switch is off by sliding the switch away from the headphone jack. Toggle it on and off to be safe.
Press and hold the following combination of buttons simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds to reset the iPod.
iPod 1G to 3G: "Menu" and "Play/Pause"
iPod 4G+ (includes Photo, Nano, Video, and Mini): "Menu" and "Select"
The Apple logo will appear and you should feel the hard drive spinning up. Press and hold the following sequence of buttons:
iPod 1G to 3G: "REW", "FFW" and "Select"
iPod 4G+ (includes Photo, Nano, Video, and Mini): "Back" and "Select"
You will hear an audible chirp sound (3G models and higher) and the Apple logo should appear backwards. You are now in Diagnostic Mode. Navigate the list of tests using "REW" and "FFW". The scroll wheel will not function while in diagnostic mode. For further details on Diagnostic mode can be found at http://www.methodshop.com/mp3/ipodsupport/diagnosticmode/
Try to do the 5in1, HDD R/W and HDD scan tests. Some successful cases have been reported after the running the few tests under the Diagnostic mode. In case it does not work in your case, and the scan tests reports show some errors then it proves your iPod has a hardware problem and it needs a repairing service.

B. Format your iPod with a start disk
I have not tried this solution myself, I heard that there were few successful cases that the users managed to get their iPod (you must put your iPod in disk mode before connecting with a computer) mounted by the computer, which was booted by a system startup disk. For Mac, you can use the Disk Utility (on the Tiger OS system disk), for PC user, you can use the window OS system disk. Try to find a way to reformat your iPod, again it does not matter which format (FAT32, NTFS or HFS+) you choose, the key is to erase the corrupted system files on the iPod. Then eject your iPod and do a Reset to switch out from Disk Mode. Reboot your computer at the normal way, connect your iPod back with it, open the iPod updater, and hopefully your iPod will appear there for the Restore.

If none of these steps address the issue, your iPod may need to be repaired.
Consider setting up a mail-in repair for your iPod http://depot.info.apple.com/ipod/
Or visit your local Apple Retail Store http://www.apple.com/retail/
In case your iPod is no longer covered by the warranty and you want to find a second repairing company, you can try iPodResQ at your own risk
http://www.ipodresq.com/index.php

Just in case that you are at the following situation
Your iPod warranty is expired
You don’t want to pay any service charges
You are prepared to buy a new one
You can’t accept the re-sell value of your broken iPod
Rather than leave your iPod as paper-weight or throw it away.
You can try the following, but again, only do it as your last resort and at your own risk.

Warning ! – It may or may not manage to solve your problem, and with a risk that you may further damage your iPod, which end up as an expensive paper weight or you need to pay more higher repairing cost. Therefore, please re-consider again whether you want to try the next level

Last Resort Level

1. . Disconnecting the Hard Drive and battery inside the iPod – Warning !! Your iPod warranty will be waived once you open the iPod.
In Hong Kong there are some electronic shops offering an iPod service for Sad iPod, the first thing they do is to open up the iPod’s case and disconnecting the battery and the Hard Drive from the main board of the iPod. Wait for 5-10 minutes and reconnecting them back. The reason behind which I can think of is to do a fully reset of a processor of the iPod. In case you want do it itself and you believe that you are good on fixing the electronics devices and have experience to deal with small bits of electronic parts, then you can read the following of how to open the iPod case for battery replacement (with pictures)
http://www.kokopellimusic.us/KM_instructions.htm
Have I tried this myself? No, I am afraid to do it myself as I am squeamish about tinkering inside electronic devices, I have few experiences that either I broke the parts (which are normally tiny or fragile) or failed to put the parts back to the main case. Therefore, I agree with suggestion to have it fixed by a Pro.

2. Do a search on Google and some topics on this discussion forum about “Sad iPod”

What should I do with my iPod? Send it or keep it?
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=469080&tstart=0

Strange error on iPod (probably death)
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=435160&start=0&tstart=0

Sad Face on iPod for no apparent reason
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=336342&start=0&tstart=0

Meeting the Sad iPod icon
http://askpang.typepad.com/relevanthistory/2004/11/meeting_thesad.html#comment-10519524

Sad faced iPod, but my computer won’t recognize it?
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2236095#2236095

iPod Photo: unhappy icon + warranty question
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2233746#2233746

4th Gen iPod Users - are we all having the same problem?
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2235623#2235623

Low Battery, and clicking sounds
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2237714#2237714

Sad faced iPod, but my computer won’t recognize it
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2242018#2242018

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

I am not suggesting that you should follow as well, but just read them as your reference. You are the person to make the call.

Those steps do not work. Most of us here can't put it into disk mode because the computer does not recognize the ipod therefore making most of those steps useless.

Anyway, when people dropped their ipod, or hit against the palm, was it plugged in to anything. None of that is working for me.

Daughter just had her 3rd Ipod with a sad face. We got her first Ipod in 2004 and each 5 to 8 months we have a problem. I called Apple yesterday for technical support and they informed me I was out of luck since item had a 3 months warranty which expired 2 month ago. Very upset because Apple knows they are making a piece of #@%& product (that's why the warranty is only 3 months-replacement product) and with very few options to follow (get a new one & try to sell this one for peanut money; get a refurbished one for $370 and have only 3 months warranty) I got brave and decided to open the case to disconect battery as suggested here. I run the the HD check first and after message there was no errors I went to work. Guss what! I worked! Here is how I opened the case
http://www.ipodbattery.com/ipodinstall.htm
and
http://www.ipodbattery.com/slimipodinstall.htm

It was definetely worth the try.

Thank you all for your suggestions



HP Pavilion Windows XP Pro

Did the IPOD Restore, but then also had the problem where my MAC does not recognise the IPOD, AND could not turn the thing OFF.

Have been reading the discussion pages for 2 days before I sucummed to the 'drop it on its head' trick. No, it did not work frit time either. I got annoyed and hit it against my palm a couple of times. Finally started responding. Did the restore one more time, followed all the instructions from the IPOD and from ITUNES. Finally restoring my 20Gb,18 month old U2 special.

Read notes form MITCH 751. They are good.

This does look like a 'feature' of the IPOD. Come on Apple when are you going to do something about it?

UNBELIEVABLE. Dropping it worked for my fiancee's 40GB 4G as well. Weirdest thing I have ever seen in terms of a fix, but... somehow I managed to become The Geek Hero against all expectations. 😉

THANKS to everybody here who posted this utterly non-intuitive (and free!) solution. pf.

Ahh my old faithful support board...
Last night i also go the sad face after i let her use my ipod at work. after i yelled a little bit at her for recking it i went through the usual, attempted at disk mode etc, the denial was over and i though okay time for a new ipod as mine did not sound healthy.
today i thought i'd ask quickly "just in case" log in and the first thread was this one. everything sound exactly like my problem my ipod has now hit the 2 year mark and bang problem.
Dropped in on the floor BANG fixed vwolla.
Again guys Thanks!!

HI guys -
Love this topic, since I am now on my 2nd ipod with sad face, broken folder and flashing battery symbols. The new one (which is one month old) completely froze yesterday and apple care said to have it swapped for another one (once again). However, in the middle of the night, it just miraculously came to life. I stopped by the genius bar anyway and they said there is nothing they can do, since it was working perfectly while I was there. However, I got home and noe my MAC won't recognize my ipod, even in deisk mode. I am running the diagnostic scan on my ipod right now, and if that doesn't work, I guess I should drop it!? The genius told me to hit it really hard with my knuckles if it froze again...guess it's the same concept.

I am frustrated, though, since I leave on vacation in a few hours and won't have access to my MAc and desperately need my ipod to work!

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!
kat

holy ****, you guys are GENIUSES. after 4+ months of my ipod not working, dropping it from about a foot in the air fixed it. i am so excited! now i have something to listen to instead of drills when i get my dental work done next week. 🙂

i had the same problem so i contacted apple, then they sent me a box saying i should send the ipod back in this box using DHL, so what do i do??? I use USPS and i no longer have any idea where the **** it is. is this a problem? and how do i post new topics?

dell? Windows XP

**** UNBELIEVABLE. rofl my dad was doing what mitch said, and then i was like hey all these people are dropping it, so my dad slammed the bottom down on the desk AND BANG. it works, BUT isnt recognized by itunes. soooo yea

hey was just wondering how you opened up the ipod itself. because there doesnt look like theres any way to do it.

o nm fixed it, removed itunes and reinstalled it. works now thx w00t.

Thank you so much. I was just about to put it in the bin and give up when I read this. I dropped it on the floor as recommended and it worked. I then restored it to factory settings and put my stuff back on it. You saved me wasting another £200! Thank you

Hi
No worry and I am glad to know. But upto now, no one can proves that whether it is a short or long term fix.

Strongly suggest that if you can find a Mac computer, plug your iPod with it and do the following, which will fix some bad sectors (not 100%) on the HD of your iPod

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”
7. Once it has been done, reconnect it with your PC and do a Restore back with it.