You must connect using Firewire to synch the iPod "iPod."

Question

Level 1

4 points

You must connect using Firewire to synch the iPod "iPod."

I have a 30 GB g4 iPod that has not been used in a while. My g5 iPod was stolen by some low life who broke my car window to get it, so my wife gave me her old iPod.

When I connect it to my Mac, I get the message that it is corrupt, and must be restored. When I try to restore it by clicking the handy restore button on the screen in the iTunes UI, I receive the message that I must connect it via Firewire. Which seems odd. THis unit never required Firewire previously and does not seem to have any Firewire interface.

It is a Model No. A1099 and has the standard, old style USB connector on its undersurface, a headphones jack and lock on the top, plus a small oblong opening that I do not recognize as anything that is apparently the remote port.

How would I connect this to a Firewire cable?
Is there some other way of addressing this? I have done the lock on and off a few times, hold the select and middle button to the count of 10-one thousand and gotten the Apple logo to appear, several times, to no avail.

Almost to the point of trying to use the Windows box to read and format it.
Any ideas?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Aug 24, 2015 2:29 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Aug 25, 2015 8:09 PM in response to Fuzzy2k

Syncing devices requires the latest OS X. Your profile indicates your Mac is running 10.9.1.

Disconnect the iPod.

Make sure your Mac's OS X is up to date.

Open the App Store then select Updates from the menu top of the App Store window.

Reply

Answer 2

Fuzzy2k Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 26, 2015 1:53 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Thanks. I am running 10.10.5 - I don't spend that much time here; it never occurred to me to keep my profile updated with what version of the OS I was currently on. Too bad that info doesn't update automatically for logged in users.

This problem is "solved" - ish.

I took it to my wife, and she was able to restore it via the USB cable attached to her Macbook Air, no misleading Firewire messages appeared. So, still not clear on why it wouldn't do that for me, or why I never ran into any issues when updating my G5 iPod before it got stolen, but then I guess the world is filled with odd little mysteries, isn't it?

Thanks for your time.

Reply

Answer 3

Aug 26, 2015 3:49 PM in response to Fuzzy2k

I always find such messages amusing with iPods, I have found so many bugs in their firmware

Nice to see you have it working though

Reply

Answer 4

Fuzzy2k Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 26, 2015 5:28 PM in response to Vegan Advocate

Me, too! I need my tunes.

Reply

Answer 5

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,660 points

Aug 26, 2015 5:39 PM in response to Fuzzy2k

Your model supports Firewire & USB, possibly this one…

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ipod/specs/ipod_photo_30gb.html

The original Dock cable may have shipped with a Firewire version, I think it may have depended on whether you brought the Mac or PC version.

I wonder if the USB port was not able to supply enough power. Normally the OS is good a stating this error. Firewire supplies more voltage & current to devices. Obviously try other leads if it happens again.

Reply

Answer 6

Fuzzy2k Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 27, 2015 12:46 AM in response to Drew Reece

Thanks. After she restored it, it began working fine with my setup.

The original dock is probably MIA long since, but the device was bought for use with Macintosh.

Thanks for your time and interest.

Reply

Answer 7

Aug 27, 2015 5:31 AM in response to Fuzzy2k

I have noticed a lot of problems with my iPod classic going from a mac book to a pc and back

I think apples does that intentionally

I have a classic 160gb and it has its fair share of problems

Reply