Is the iPod Nano 3G still compatible with OS 10.8.x ?

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Level 1

5 points

Is the iPod Nano 3G still compatible with OS 10.8.x ?

Using exactly the same cables that successfully connect both an iPhone 3G and an iPad 2, syncing my elderly iPod Nano 3G fails miserably every time.

It is recognised as such upon plugging in, and even syncs on the basis of previously set preferences.

However, after a while, iTunes loses sight of the iPod because it issues a warning the iPod has gone missing. The iPod's icon on the desktop is greyed out - from black. After that, there's no way I can re-establish the connection or eject the greyed out icon - doing so sometimes freezes my entire Mac.

To change the preferences (to listen to some other music for a change) seems to provoke this behaviour , though I cannot be too sure. It may have more to do with time than with action. I'm reluctant to test this out too often, because of the computer crashes.

This has been the case since Leopard. Sigh.

Help is greatly appreciated!

Posted on Apr 22, 2013 5:13 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 22, 2013 10:13 AM in response to NorbertvH

I don't think it's problem with Mountain Lion, because iPod interaction is more related to iTunes than the OS. For the OS, the iPod is just a mounted disk. And the latest iTunes still works with my even more elderly 3rd gen (big) iPod (2003 model).

If it's due to time connected, it may be heat-related. A charging battery produces heat.

If could be a worn out dock conenctor. If the iPod is nudged after initially being connected, it could momentarily lose the connection and cause this problem.

If you have Enable disk use checked on the iPod's Summary tab, or use the Manually manage music setting, which requires Enable disk use to be checked, it may help to NOT have Enable disk use checked. With disk use enabled, iTunes keeps the iPod's disk mounted continuously. If disk use is NOT enabled, iTunes only mounts the disk when syncing, and then immediately dismounts the disk. So most of the time the iPod is connected, the disk is not mounted by the system. That may make it less sensitive to this issue.

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Answer 2

gquinton

Level 1

4 points

Mar 9, 2015 1:56 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Have you tried a different USB cable? My ipod Nano 3g would not be recognized at all after upgrading to iTunes 12. Switching to an apple branded USB cable fixed the problem.

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