3rd Generation ipod White Screen

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Level 1

8 points

3rd Generation ipod White Screen

I know it's ancient, but been working well...until now. White screen. It is recognized by itunes when plugged into computer. Successfully restored on itunes, still white screen. Tried the fix with holding home and power buttons. Tried holding home, up volume and power. Still white screen.

My question - is all hope gone and I must finally retire this ipod? It has been great and this was a sudden death - hard to see it go.

Thanks for any help...

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), 24" Early 2009

Posted on Aug 27, 2016 12:56 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 27, 2016 5:40 PM in response to Barbarapdx

The 3rd gen "classic" iPod has excellent sound. If you tried doing a Restore already, its likely to be a hardware problem, unfortunately.

These old larger iPods are easier to repair, because they are assembled from separate components and not so integrated and miniaturized. My working 3rd gen iPod was reassembled from broken iPods I bought on eBay, by swapping parts. The screen is not the thing that is broken, most of the time. If you're somewhat technically inclined, you may be able to fix it. You can post back for more info.

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Answer 2

Barbarapdx Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 27, 2016 6:24 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Been a great iPod - I don't need all the new apps, just use of music and audio books. It's great for that.

The screen is not cracked, just white screen what will not respond even though iTunes recognizes it. I dropped it in the sink (they are so slippery!) I thought it was dead, but left it for a couple weeks and it was alive - although with the white screen. So it makes sense that it's physical damage - but with water involved may be tough. What do you think?

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Answer 3

Aug 27, 2016 7:30 PM in response to Barbarapdx

Did the sink have water? If water got inside, a short circuit may be causing the problem due to the moisture, even after a few weeks. The problem may be permanent or not. If damage was due to the impact, then the problem is probably permanent.

But either way, most broken "classic" iPods (with a hard drive for storage) are broken because of a faulty hard drive. It's the most valuable part. If your iPod's hard drive is working fine, you can "transplant" it into an iPod that has a broken hard drive (but is otherwise OK). You can even put it into a 4th gen iPod, since it uses the same type. (5th gen and later use a different type of hard drive.)

To confirm, this is the one you have, correct? It's not a 3rd gen iPod nano...

What's the storage capacity of your iPod? 3rd gen iPod had 10GB, 15GB, 20GB, 30GB, or 40GB.

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Answer 4

Barbarapdx Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 27, 2016 7:30 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Wow, so glad you posted that picture. I'm such a neophyte I'm probably in the wrong area of this community!! I should have said I have an iTouch, didn't know there was a difference between iPod and itouch - sorry! And when I went to research further to make sure - I have 2nd generation itouch, not 3rd. So, you probably don't know what to advise, if you are expert in iPods. Sorry for the confusion.

Yes there was water and I scooped it out immediately, as it was happening - but it did have contact. So...even though it lives (in that iTunes reads it) it may be too difficult to save.

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Answer 5

Aug 27, 2016 7:30 PM in response to Barbarapdx

Well, I have a 5th gen iPod touch too, but that one I've never taken apart. 🙂 And they are "somewhat" more complicated, so you'll probably need a real technician.

Here's the forum category for iPod touchif you want to ask a question there...

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