Cannot see ipod in My Computer or iTunes

I did all of the above trying to get my computer to recognize my iPod. I have had it for 11 months and to have it suddenly not sync after all that time was infuriating! I had downloaded the newest version of iTunes and the newest update for Windows on the same day, so I wasn't sure where the problem occured. I even took my iPod to the Apple store and had it restored, as my computer wouldn't recognize it. It wouldn't charge, anything.

Anyway, after spending about four days on this, attempting the upper and lower filter idea, un- and reinstalling iTunes, updating my drivers for my USB ports...I discovered that somehow my USB port had been disabled. I clicked 'enable' and suddenly my iPod once again existed! I never changed this, so I am thinking it must have happened with the update for Windows.

Dell Windows XP

Dell Windows XP

Dell Windows XP

I've been going over just about every post on these boards and most other ipod boards all day. Seems I've had my own variation on the 1.2 firmware troubles. I tried the registry fix, tried the roll back the itunes fix, tried the usb stuff, but nothing seems to help. My problem is that my pc will not recognize the ipod at all regardless of regular or disk mode. Can anyone tell me if there is a way to either roll back the firmware or factory restore, or just plain reformat my ipod so i can set it up to work with my pc again? Even if there is a fix in the 1.2.1 update, there's no way for me to get it to my ipod right now. I appreciate any help or thoughts on my situation.

http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?t=179827 may help some people.

I've been troubleshooting my iPod for 2 hours now, nothing has helped yet. I have a 15gb 3rd generation iPod that's worked perfectly fine for over 2 years, and then bam, I updated iTunes and now neither of my 2 computers nor iTunes recognize my iPod. Extremely frustrating.

I first figured it was the USB cord as it didn't work on multiple ports on either computer, while other USB devices would. So I shelled out $17 for a new iPod cord... and when it still didn't work I began researching deeper and have finally made it here.

I may have made a little progress, as in Disk Mode my computer sees the connection, but doesn't recognize it as an iPod, it says "One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it."

I'm currently a little lost though, as I've tried so many things I think I'm mixing them up and maybe doing the steps in the wrong order. I uninstalled iTunes 7, installed iPod for Windows from CD, and now have iTunes 4 installed. My iPod software is already the latest for my version, 2.3.x I believe. Right now I'm backing up my mp3 collection and my library while charging my iPod. Reformatting my iPod will be the last resort. If I do manage to get Windows/iTunes to recognize my iPod again, I swear to God I will never download a newer version of iTunes.

I can't believe all these people are having similar problems stemming from one source (updating iTunes) and Apple won't admit there's a problem. Acknowledging the problem is the first step towards resolving it. Please get your act in gear and help your customers. As far as I can figure, something in the new release affected the USB connection within the iPod itself.

I've never had a bad thing to say about my iPod or iTunes before (in fact have had to defend the products multiple times) and it'd be a shame if I had to start advising people to avoid them. There are a lot more options for decent mp3 players now, as opposed to 2+ years ago when I shelled out close to $500 for my iPod. Perhaps it's time I tried something new instead of adding to my headaches.

Dell Inspiron 6400 Other OS Windows Media Centre, SP2

My frustration is on 2 levels.

First, my ipod worked fine with my home PC and work PC until i installed the new itunes 7. Since then when i connect to either cpu i get nothing on the CPU side. My iPod begins charging, but doesnt show up on my CPU.

Second, the instructions on this support site for this particular problem feels like an endless loop. I start out going through the steps for "ipod does not show up when connected to cpu" which has me restart my ipod. Eventually down the road of all the "r" steps it takes me to a page that says restore. The only option to restore your ipod to factory settings seems to be to go through itunes. This solution is a problem for me, since my CPU and iTunes cannot detect my ipod. The only solution for this problem appears to be to go to an Apple store. At that point i will have to talk to a "genius".

I feel like this is a software related problem that has sent my ipod into a frenzy, and that there should be more than 1 way to restore your ipod, and if there is only one way for the customer to restore their ipod to factory settings, then it shouldnt be dependent on a connection between something that is malfunctioning to begin with.

Maybe i am missing something here - like an alternative method to restoring my ipod - but at this point I am dissapointed with support.

Yup, same problem. Everything was fine until I updated to iTunes 7.0.2 and then the ipod stopped working. After 2 weeks and me having over 30 hours on the phone with Apple & DHL, I finally got a "new" iPod from a "Genius."
I'm not complaining, I'm just saying not to mess around with trying to fix this problem yourself. Call Apple and get another iPod. Otherwise, you'll run yourself stupid trying to fix one of iTune's bugs. I have found that the only current solution is having Apple replace it.
I feel this is pertinent to Mac & Windows users since I've had the same problem on my iBook, G5, PC (2 different ones).

iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9) iPod 30GB Vid

anyone getting this problem
W:\ refers to a location that is unavaiable. It could be on a hard drive on this computer, or on a network. Check to make sure that the disk is properly inserted, or that you are connected to the Internet or your netowrk, and then try again. If it still connot be located, the information might have been moved to a different location.

everytime i connect ipod it opens up itune then i get this message and then my ipod can still be restored however the do not disconnect sign is gone and im able to navigate through my ipod while its still connected.

i have figured out somthing that has worked for me and maybe you too. i was having the same problems. so what i did was with my ipod disconnected from the computer i went to settings and then reset all settings. it does not do anything to your music just your ipod setting like what language you want and wether you want your "click" on or off and your backlight. reset all settings then adjust your settings back to what you like then plug your iopd back into your computer. and just like that it worked, for me.

give it a try.

RE: 49311's Registry fix: I'm glad it worked for him, and the other who tried it. I just want to be sure that other pepole understand the risk of editing the Windoze Registry. The poster did say " follow the instructions carefully", but for a casual user, the Registry is a dangerous place. One wrong keystroke in there, and you'll have to reinstall the O.S.

Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.7)

You would think that after almost 60,000 hits on this discussion board since the beginning of Nov. Apple would have at least acknowledged that there's a problem. I think it pretty crappy customer service. Especally since it's not like an ipod is an inexpensive item. We need a patch for this beta version of itunes. I think it's some kind of firmware problem with the new ipod update, because everything works fine with my wife new sony viao notebook. And yes I have tried EVERYTHING in the spport section of this website and anything anyone has suggested in this or any message board.

No fix,

no nothing.

Still cant update my Ipod. Still not readable.

I've came to the point to be burning CD's agin (for the love of god) becausei cant update my ipod...

$400 gone to WASTE.

Having the same issues here. I have a G5 and iPod mini. My iPod flipped out the other day while listening to it. Its just stalled and I have not been able to get it working since. Tried re-settting at least 10 times. What bothers me most though is that my G5 is not seeing it so I`m starting to think this is something more than what I`m used to.

Any ideas?

My ipod would not connect to windows or itunes so after long searching, I found a tip that worked. It's so simple also. I had to come on forum to report it.
1. Connect the ipod with the usb to to the computer.
2. Placing the iPod into disk mode will help you connect to windows, it lets windows recognize it. You may even try setting it to disk mode while connected to the computer and restarting the computer (I didn't do this, but this tip was also found). Here are directions on how to get into disk mode:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93651

As soon as I set my Ipod mini into disk mode while it was connected to the computer it appeared in both windows and my itunes. I hope this helped

My ipod would not connect to windows or itunes so after long searching, I found a tip that worked. It's so simple also. I had to come on forum to report it.
1. Connect the ipod with the usb to to the computer.
2. Placing the iPod into disk mode will help you connect to windows, it lets windows recognize it. You may even try setting it to disk mode while connected to the computer and restarting the computer (I didn't do this, but this tip was also found). Here are directions on how to get into disk mode:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93651

As soon as I set my Ipod mini into disk mode while it was connected to the computer it appeared in both windows and my itunes. I hope this helped

I think I may have a serious problem with my iPod. After trying to restore the settings, I get a message that says... "the iPod could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (1429)."

What the heck is an unknown error?

I have the same problem, updated and now no computer or ITunes recognition of Ipod (its a 60Gig juiceball and i am well annoyed). After mosing about in the endless loop of a support site for two weeks trying to get it sorted, I raised a request to replace only to find my warranty was 1 week out of date....ArghhhhH!!!!!
There has to be an official fix for this right? And please pleaSE PLEASE, DON'T TELL ME THAT WHEN I WHACK FIRMWARE ON MY IPOD, THAT APPLE DON'T GIVE ME A WAY OF RESETTING AND REMOVING THAT. PLEASE, SURELY NO ONE IS THAT DUMB RIGHT?
aRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!