SCROLL WHEEL OR BUTTONS of IPOD Nano no working

Question

Level 1

8 points

SCROLL WHEEL OR BUTTONS of IPOD Nano no working

Suddenly, the buttons and scrollwheel on my iPod Nano (4gb), 1st generation stopped working... I have tried the "5R" approach already but to no result...

Here are the symptoms:

1) all buttons (play, pause, ff, fr, select and menu don't work)
2) scrolling doesn't work

What does work:

1) resetting (press Menu+Select simultaneously), but it brings you back into the Choose language screen at which you get stuck because none of the other buttons work.
2) lock button still works.

I get the feeling this is some software glitch as the menu/select button do still work to reset things.. but even after I restored the iPod software it still is behaving in the same funky way.

Q: has anyone been able to overcome this problem.

Note: I have seen other posts with the similar problems, but since the posts are archived, I wasn't allowed to reply and started a new thread instead.

ipod nano 1st generation, iMac, MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)

iMac, Mac Book and Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Dec 17, 2006 12:30 PM

Reply

Answer 1

emeijer Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 21, 2006 7:45 PM in response to emeijer

I was ready to send it back for a repair until I saw the cost (> $200)... for that amount I can buy a new nano 8gb, 2nd generation... with warranty!

So I decided to open my nano (just google "open nano" and you get the instructions). Once opened, I pushed the copper contacts of the battery and the batter itself and suddenly the scrollwheel and buttons were working again.

Still not sure what the real cause was; I suspect beneath the battery are the contacts for the buttons/scrollwheel and they may have become misplaced...

Anyway, if you run into the same issue and your nano is out of warranty, you may as well try your luck like I did and open up your nano (you have nothing to lose with the repair charges that Apple charges!)

Reply

Answer 2

Jan 4, 2007 3:07 PM in response to emeijer

[...]
So I decided to open my nano (just google "open nano"
and you get the instructions). Once opened, I pushed
the copper contacts of the battery and the batter
itself and suddenly the scrollwheel and buttons were
working again.
[...]

Would you be able to post the URL for the instructions to open your iPod nano? I tried Googling "open nano" and get all kinds of strange things not directly related to the iPod nano. Other keywords (in addition to "open nano"), such as "ipod", "instructions", etc. did not find any instructions for opening an iPod.

MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8), iPod nano (1st generation)

Reply

Answer 3

emeijer Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 4, 2007 3:25 PM in response to FourtySomethingTechie

Hi,

I couldn't find the original website, but found this one

http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/IpodNano_200gb_Instructions/Page_1#Step_3_-_Openingit

But in the end, it is just a matter of carefully opening the case by preying it open - I just sharp kitchen knife and carefully try to get in between.

Reply

Answer 4

Jan 4, 2007 4:05 PM in response to emeijer

Whoa, that took a leap of faith! But in the end it's pretty easy to open. I used a small screwdriver to pry it open at the bottom.

It didn't work the first time, then I discovered that the iPod will work without the back cover on. Carefully fiddling with the battery, it suddenly started working!

It makes some sense that messing with the battery works, as it is behind the click wheel. But I have no idea what goes wrong with the click wheel to cause it to get stuck on the Language screen.

One caveat: Make sure the hold switch is on the correct setting when putting the back cover back on. The button is attached to the back casing, but the actual switch is with the front electronics. The problem is that the button on the casing goes lose when separated from the electronics, so you can end up putting it together with the button on the wrong part of the switch (I know, I did it!).

Thanks a bunch!!

MacBook Pro, iPod nano (1st Generation) Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Reply