4th Gen iPod will not mount or connect to Windows

Hi, one of my iPods will not connect to Windows XP. Its a 4th Gen 40gb non photo iPod

The iPod still plays and works "normally" as a portable device (ie I can play music), but I cannot connect it to my pc at all.

When I plug it in via either USB or Firewire ports the iPod disc whirrs and gets stuck in a loop (that can last over 2 hours plus) before i need to reset it in order to disconnect it from the pc.

When I connect, it doesn't launch iTunes as it should.
It doesn't appear in My Computer.
It doesnt appear in Computer Management>Disk Management
Latest iPod updater cannot read it (even when put in disk mode) and tells me that it can't mount the iPod.

Also, the iPod has since started to mess my PC up - it will not allow the PC to boot up with the iPod connected. If I connect the iPod to the PC with iTunes already launched it causes iTunes to freeze and crash. When I go to restart the PC, Windows will not shutdown.

Getting sick now - any ideas please (besides throwing it out the window!)?

It's weird how the iPod still plays, but it will not connect to the PC when my other 4G 30gb photo and Shuffle will.

PC iExtreme 6082, Windows XP, SP2 AMD Athlon XP 2600 x800 pro 40gb iPod 30gb iPod Photo 512mb shuffle

Posted on Aug 12, 2006 3:03 AM

19 replies

Aug 22, 2006 11:23 AM in response to robbo™

Hi again Bill

It seemed to run a diagnostic of sorts but would not
FIX the ipod due to me not selecting /f. However I
did get a long list of errors which looked like
this:

The \iPod_Control\Music\F41\WDCV.m4a entry contains a
non-valid link.
The size of the \iPod_Control\Music\F41\WDCV.m4a is
not valid.
...
The \iPod_Control\Music\F22\FOFW.mp3 first allocation
unit is not valid. The entry will be truncated
...
\iPod_Control\iTunes\iTunesControlis cross-linked on
allocation unit 255. Cross link resolved by copying

It then goes on to list a range bad links in lost
chain clusters, some of which are tuncated before
asking me to convert the lsot chains to files y/n? I
selected no at this point as I ad run the wrong chkdsk

Yep, the filesystem is in a mess (Disk itself may be physically OK, but see below). You really do need to run chkdsk with the /F parameter to fix these. A restore would (theoretically) have the same effect (if you can get the updater to work and given you don't mind starting over since it will erase the entire iPod). I tend to run chkdsk on my iPod from time to time (say every 2 - 3 weeks)just on the off chance that something is wrong but is not yet noticeable in normal use.

In your case you might like to consider using the /R parameter - this tests every block of the disk, the /F just does those which are allocated (in use). It might be worth the extra time it takes to be sure that there is nothing else waiting to go wrong. Picking up additional problem blocks which are unallocated can indicate the onset of physical failure.

robbo™ Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 25, 2006 4:54 AM in response to Bill Chapman

Finally fixed and back up and running. just want to say a BIG THANK YOU Bill for all your help.

I ran the /f and /r parameters a few times then restored the ipod to factory settings with the recent ipod updater. After that it was fine and I was able to put everything back on.

Top 1 fella 🙂

robbo™ Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 25, 2006 4:55 AM in response to robbo™

Thanks to Bill for walking me through this - he gave me top tips and I will be following his advice in future (re chkdsk every 2-3 weeks)

Aug 28, 2006 1:28 PM in response to robbo™

Excellent. Glad I was able to help.

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4th Gen iPod will not mount or connect to Windows