Level 1

9 points

How To Fix A Corrupt iPod

Okay, this is my first and possibly last post here, I just thought that I should write my solution to this problem as there are a lot of people suffering with a corrupt iPod. I will first recommend you read this topic also if you're still having problems

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3639883&#3639883

This will be a long post (sorry), so I'll break things up into an EXPLANTION of the problem and the SOLUTION as I think some people will be thankful for a bit of insight and some people just want a solution.
read on...

EXPLANATION:
My problem occured when receiving a second hand iPod, it had some bugs, stutters and general problems so I tried a restore, this is where my real problems started. After the restore music would not always copy correctly to the iPod, some times returning with a "Windows Delayed Write Failure", also some songs and videos would not play sometimes requiring a restart (reset), sometimes they would return me to the menu straight, and sometimes they would play fine. Also the hard disk would make a lot of fuss just to select certain songs or videos, I would even have trouble booting the iPod or detecting in iTunes.
These things led me to believe either: The hard disk was cactus; The hard disk had bad sectors; Or there was a file system error on the hard disk.
When the iPod got really bad it wouldn't properly detect in iTunes, iPod Access, Anapod or Windows, it wouldn't restore in iTunes, and I couldn't access it through windows explorer even in disk mode as it claimed the disk or the control folder had corrupted.
Using some diagnostic tools I discovered the problem was nothing more than a simple and easily fixed FAT32 filesystem error.
The problem is that the iPod uses a FAT32 filesystem which is a 'kind of unstable' but not yet redundant filesystem we used back in the Windows 98 days, I assume it uses this filesystem for compatability reasons as pretty much any pc with Windows 98 or above can access FAT32.
FAT32 stores files in chains, linking one file to another, and branching out like a tree, this system is very easily corruptable due to anything from bad shutdowns or yanking the dock cable of the iPod during copying.

SOLUTION:
1:(optional) Check your iPod by reseting it and when the apple logo first appears hold the middle select button and the rewind button to enter a diagnostic mode. Then press the menu button to enter manual testing. Scroll down to IO and press select, then select the hard disk option, then select the hard disk specs option. Read the data to check your hard disk is detected as the correct size (30Gb in my case), if it isn't then reset the iPod and repeat this step until the hard disk detects as the correct size.

2:Reset your iPod, as the apple logo appears hold down the middle select button and the play button, it will then boot to a screen with a tick in the middle and it will say Disk Mode along the top of the screen.

3: Now load iTunes and then plug the iPod into your computer and let it detect. iTunes should detect your iPod though it may not properly detect it. If iTunes doesn't detect an iPod AT ALL then reset your iPod and repeat steps 2 & 3 until it does.

4: Now your iTunes should display your iPod or an iPod just call IPOD, click on your iPod and restore, you can use the same version software or update - it doesn't matter. Even if your iPod normally recieves an error when retoring it SHOULD restore as long as you're in disk mode. When it is done restoring DO NOT UNPLUG THE IPOD, just let iTunes redetect it.

5: Now go to My Computer and right click on your iPod (could be called Removable Disk and go to properties. Now click on the tools tab and run Scandisk (Check Disk). In the scandisk box that opens tick both check boxes (fix automatically and surface scan) and click run, this will take a while but when it's done go to iTunes and eject the iPod, unplug it from the computer, and reset it.
You have jsut fixed your iPod.

Please if you use this solution and it works for you, post your thanks or comments so I know my time wasn't wasted writing this.
thankyou
-odsmart

Athlon XP, Windows XP Pro

Posted on Dec 27, 2006 2:37 AM

86 replies

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 30, 2006 9:51 PM in response to iPodProblemChild

HELPMEEEEEE:
Alright, when I said a scandisk takes a while, depending on your machine and whether or not your iPod is on a USB 2.0 port, a scandisk should take between 20 - 35 mins, but this is far from exact. YOU DO NEED TO HAVE THE IPOD IN DISK MODE TO COMPLETE A SCANDISK. I recommend you repeat the steps and make sure the iPod is in disk mode before the scandisk. Also, don't leave your machine while doing the scandisk, if the process hangs, your iPod's drive could be running a lot longer than required, this is definately not a good thing, though you should be fine, just a warning.
As for the green bar, it will pause afor a little while and then shoot up a bit and so forth, but the process should definatly not take too long.
Let me know how you go, and if you have more troubles send me some detaild info on your machine with your next post.
-thanks

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 30, 2006 9:58 PM in response to phil765

PHIL:
Well you're in the right place. Did you boot your iPod into Disk Mode as stated, the iPod must be in Disk Mode for this to work. Also you will see another post a little way down the page I've written detailing a windows format of the iPod, this is a good last resort and could be the best option for you, but your iPod also needs to be in Disk Mode for this to work.
Really double check your iPod is in Disk Mode when your planning on a scandisk, if not, try the format option but it should be unnecessary.
You will know your iPod's in Disk Mode because it will be written accross it's screen. You should boot into Disk Mode BEFORE plugging it into your machine.
We'll see how you go.
-See Ya

murdock1

Level 1

0 points

Dec 30, 2006 10:42 PM in response to odsmart

I'm having the problem that my ipod will not show up in the source pane. It has never shown up. It does come up in My Computer and when I run the diagnostics in itunes it is seen. I get all green lights when I check the ipod out. The diagnostics even tell me my ipods serial number and software version and such. Obviously it is "seeing" it but it does not come up in the side pane so I can select it and load songs onto it. This is a new 1gig nano that has yet to get a song installed on it.
I have tried numerous resets, I reinstalled itunes, stopped and restarted ipod service and renamed the drive letter. When I first plug it in I get the Do Not Disconnect message. If I eject it then that does go away but it never shows up in the itunes window. I tried it on my niece's laptop and my ipod would not come up in her itunes either. I then tried plugging her 30gig ipod into my pc (using my cable) and my itunes detected it and it came up right away in the side pane. This should rule out a problem with itunes so it must be my ipod. Any ideas on what I should try to get this working?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 30, 2006 11:23 PM in response to murdock1

MURDOCK1:
Yeah that's a good one. You said that you'd tried numerous resets and reinstalled iTunes, so we'll assume the problem IS the iPod, especially since the same problem occured in a second machine. I'll need a little more info before I can help you though.
-Does the iPod show up AT ALL under any name in My Computer?
-Have you tried booting into Disk Mode?
-Do you know anybody with a working 1 Gig Nano, if so, I posted instructions to Raab earlier in the thread on a fix that involved cloning a working nano's Hard Disk onto a defunct Nano, which was successful for his friend.

NOTE: The other persons iPod must be the same model and disk size as your's or that fix won't work.

-How are you ejecting the iPod if it doesn't show up in the side pane?
-What happens if you boot your iPod into Disk Mode, does it show up then? (Instructions for Disk Booting are the main post)
Okay, get back to me, I think it's easily fixed (conditions apply).
-See Ya

murdock1

Level 1

0 points

Dec 31, 2006 8:10 AM in response to odsmart

ODSMART:
-My IPod does show up under My Computer. It is listed as IPOD

-I tried the disk mode and ran all the tests. Everything seemed to pass. No errors came up and all the tests completed without any problems. I tried connecting my IPod after it was in the diagnostic mode. It did not show up under My Computer or under itunes. The last thing I did from the diagnostic menu was reset. After it reset it then showed up under My Computer but still not itunes. IPod had the "Do Not Disconnect" message on it.

-I don't know anyone with a 1 gig Nano. Just my niece with the 30 gig one.

-I can eject the Nano from My Computer by right clicking on it and then select Eject or click on an icon on my taskbar in Windows XP "Safely Remove Hardware" and then select the IPod.

-Note that when I do Run Diagnostics under the Help menu in itunes I get all green when I run it for the IPod. It tells me my serial number and software version. A bunch of SERVICE info comes up. The diagnostic test is finding it just not coming up in the regular itunes screen.

Thanks for taking a look at this.

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 31, 2006 8:55 AM in response to murdock1

MURDOCK1:
This prob seems to have all the hallmarks of a software fault, without the software fault!
But seriously, there seems to be some confusion here. You said you tried connecting the iPod after it was in Diagnostic mode. Just to save a useless post, I need to be really clear on something...

Boot the iPod into Disk Mode by unplugging the dock cable (if docked) and reseting the iPod. When the apple logo shows up, hold down the Play and Center Buttons until a screen shows "Disk Mode" or "Ok To Disconnect" THEN plug it into your machine. I'll need to know what it's name is under My Computer IN DISK MODE, also, see if it Detects in iTunes and run the iTunes Diagnostics.

Sorry if you've already done all this correctly, it just didn't seem to clear to me in your post. I need to be sure, that's all.

BTW - Have you tried using your machine in safe mode to access iTunes, could be worth a shot, just to see.
-Thanks

murdock1

Level 1

0 points

Dec 31, 2006 10:58 AM in response to odsmart

ODSMART:
I put my IPod into disk mode (says DISK MODE at the top and had a check mark in the center of the screen, message at bottom says "OK to disconnect"

- After plugging it in while in DISK MODE I get the same results as when I was in regular mode. IPod is shown under My Computer with the name IPOD(I). I had changed the drive letter from E to I. Another post had mentioned this might solve someone elses problem so I tried it, made no difference so I left it at (I)

-Itunes did not detect my IPod while in DISK MODE although it did check out okay in the help/diagnostic screen. Again giving me all green and listing my serial number and such.

-When I first plugged the IPod in the message switched to "Do not disconnect" Basically everything was the same in this mode.

-I tried booting into safe mode. Itunes gave me an error message when I loaded it saying it was not configured properly to communicate with the IPod. I figured the service or something must not be getting loaded. Help/Diagnostic also didn't see the IPod giving me red for Itunes Helper Status and Ipod connection status.

Thanks again for trying to diagnose this problem.

Dec 31, 2006 11:34 AM in response to odsmart

I am using your instructions (thanks) but IPOD 30gig is stuck after I clicked the hard disk spec option. Now it has the words Model Number: on the screen and MENU to exit on the lower screen, but menu does nothing. HELP Please

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 1, 2007 12:49 AM in response to bruce1991

BRUCE:
Thanks for the thanks but...
Even a corrupt Hard Disk should be able to view it's Hard Disk Specs (even incorrectly), it can take a little while longer than normal but surely no more than say, 20 seconds.
Things to try?

-Do make sure that when you're going into the iPod's built in diagnostic mode that it's not docked with anything.
-Try resetting and running the Diags more than once, try several times.

Aprat from this, if your iPod's Hard Disk still can't read it's own specs AT ALL, then it may be a dead drive, it sure sounds like it. There are just some things that can't be fixed (easily). Unfortunatly there is nothing I can persoally recommend you do, but many people sell broken down iPods on ebay fairly cheap, and it's possible to switch drives when one breaks down, but you've gotta ask yourself "Is it really worth the hasslë?", especially if you're not too savvy with tech stuff.
I'll leave it to you.
-Sorry

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 1, 2007 1:13 AM in response to murdock1

MURDOCK1:
Okay thanks very much for the info, great detailed info.
Righto, I wouldn't normally recommend this on a Nano but anyway. In an earler post I detailed how to perform a windows format on an iPod (a video iPod), this could help you but I can't promise your iPod will come out the other side looking so hot, but it could fix it, it's a risk I suppose. Earlier on Raab posted about a friend of his who accidently formatted his Nano and ened up with a similar problem to yours, his iPod wouldn't detect, the problem was fixed with drive cloning. So there's always a chance that this could hurt your iPod (not physically), but then, it's not working now either is it?
From your info, I've seen that your iPod IS NOT detecting preoperly, it should have a better name than IPOD for example: "od's iPod", so try a format if you're feeling lucky, but be warned I CANNOT MAKE ANY GARANTEES (can't spell). If you're prepared to do this, please get back to me and let me know how it went, for better or worse (same), I'd be very very interested.

BTW if this doesn't work, the only other option would be to get somebody with a 1Gig Nano to take all the music off their iPod and clone their "Blank iPod's" Drive, then stick it on the web for you (and you alone) to download it, or just email it to you. Once the cloned image is unpacked to your iPod with the same cloning software. A restore should be possible.

NOTE: I say to take the music off the iPod before making a clone image for two reasons:
1: Piracy, Apple go to great lengths to try and stop music being copied from one iPod to the next and probably don't appreciate people like m inventing new ways to do it. We don't want to upset Apple do we? (no)
2: The image would be smalle for emailing etc. (duh!)

I'm not even sure if this is legal, you'd have to ask someone in the know, but it is a solution and that's what I'm here for (it worked on raabs friend's iPod).
Still, it's a long shot that anybody (hint hint) would take the time to clone an image to help a total stranger anyway.
-Good Luck

Jan 1, 2007 10:33 AM in response to odsmart

The Ipod is first recognized by my computer as a new device before it shows up in Itunes. I finally got most of my files to download(about 15 hours to do that) although the error message would still pop up periodically. As far as playback, it works fine. I'm kinda certain it's a hard-drive issue and will have to wait until I get some funds to change it. I guess the moral is every bargain isn't.

mattrsx

Level 1

0 points

Jan 1, 2007 11:19 AM in response to Gary Vanliew

odsmart, your awesome, haha. happy belated birthday, and happy new year. thanks for all the tips and advice, maybe you should work for apple, haha. i think the main thing here was that you get what you pay for, and $162 for a 30G just isnt worth it.

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 2, 2007 7:54 AM in response to odsmart

This is a combined post...
To mattrsx, thankyou very very much, I just got a swelled head but the wife likes hearing how smart her hubbie is so thankyou. And happy New Year everyone.
To Gary, I'm glad everything worked out, really glad, I'm having quite a success rate here, I'm very proud. Don't worry too much about the pop-up, a lot of people get one error or another with iTunes from time to time, but as long as you get your stuff on there and it plays back then you should be good to go.
A couple of notes now:

1: I've discovered that a corrupt iPod doesn't always need a format or restore, sometimes a scandisk alone (in disk mode and performed as stated in the main post) can be enough to repair it.

2: In future can new posts be made as replies to the topic (whoel thread) rather than to individuals. All recent posts will then show up at the bottom of the thread, so that'll save a bit of my time having to viddy the whole thread just to find the new posts.

3: I've been thinking about (video) podcasting, just a thought but how does this sound: A half hour or hour long program where people email in their problems and I solve the most common ones and a couple of personalised ones on the show. This would mainly revolve around windows and hardware problems so everyone could learn a bit from it.
Perhaps eventually backed up by a forum or email address for me to give some support outside the show.
Just a hands up, how many people would be interested in a podcast like this as I'm sure there's already plenty of similar ones around - I'm sure they're not quite as clever as me 😉. Just a thought, but one I'd like to work on.

And thankyou for everybody's feedback so far.
-See Ya

jf08

Level 1

0 points

Jan 2, 2007 8:25 AM in response to odsmart

I too have that same problem. I have followed each step exactly. When I try to go into my computer the ipod freezes and will not allow me to format. I worked on this for 5 hours last night before calling it quits. Any other suggestions or should I just send it in?

kelkel

Level 1

0 points

Jan 2, 2007 8:33 AM in response to odsmart

Happy New Year!
I've been reading your advice hopefully but am still sitting with a buggered iPod.
Problem: Ipod skips through tracks without detecting them - when I go to Itunes I can see them, but with a little ! next to them showing they can't be found. For some reason, a handful of tracks survived this screw up, but I can't figure out what they have in common.

Catch:I haven't backed up my music so don't want to restore (I know, I know, lesson learnt,going to go buy a spare hard drive)
Have tried: resetting, restarting computer, different computer, general prayer and vodoo dancing. Did your initial instructions up to the restoring bit as I need to first back up my music....I have an itunes alternative program inorder to take music off my iPod, but that is seeing the music files but not detecting them, same as itunes.
Am I screwed?

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How To Fix A Corrupt iPod