I need to restore my iPod without an internet connection

Question

I need to restore my iPod without an internet connection

I am following the instructions on this site and have reached the point where I think I need to do a restore. However, when I try to restore (by forcing the iPod into disk mode and selecting restore) the restore fails because I am not connected to the internet.
The iPod is clicking and the apple logo flashes about evry 20-40 seconds. I was able to force it into disk mode. However, to restore the iPod the computer is asking for a connection to the internet. Is there any way to do a restore without an internet connection? I am at a university in China and there is no way to connect my Apple to the internet.
The nearest connection to the internet that the Apple can use is in Xian. This is a 24 hour train ride with a need for lodging when I arrive.
I can sneakernet files, which is how I installed the latest version of iTunes; however, there is no way to connect the Apple dirrectly to the internet.

iBook g3 600, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Mar 5, 2007 6:17 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

MixMeister

Level 1

15 points

Mar 5, 2007 2:19 PM in response to Robert Crawford1

Now you may not like what this is going to say, but it's the truth. You NEED the internet to restore the iPod. Only because iTunes needs the restoration information from the Apple website to ensure that it's restored and updated properly. Also, when the iPod is click and showing the Apple logo every 20-40 seconds, that means that the hard drive and the software is fried. You're iPod has become a paperweight. Now unless you have purchased the iPod within a year and/or purchased the AppleCare Protection Plan. A way you can tell of if it's still within the year, is by the first 5 digits of the serial # on the back of the iPod. Like with the first 5 of my iPod, it's 8P647. Which means it was made on the 47th week of 2006. Call 1-800-275-2273 if it's within the year. Also, if you are on the last six months of the warranty, it's $32 to send it in for service.

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Answer 2

Mar 5, 2007 4:59 PM in response to MixMeister

I know for a fact that my iPod is older than one year. I see replacement HDs (Which your statement only reinforces my belief that the HD is dead. I have suspected the HD from the point my daughter, who was using it at the time, reported the symptoms) on ebay; is it likley that replacing the HD will fix the problem? It will enter disk mode; which, if I understand the tech articles correctly, indicates that the software is okay.

That would involve obtaining a HD, will any HD of that form fit; or, does the iPod check to see if it is a Toshiba? If any HD would fit then I would check locally before ordering one from America. There are a lot of HDs on the local market.

I suspect that if I did replace the HD, I would then need to make the trip and do a full restore in order to properly format the unit.

To simply replace the iPod is very hard. First I would need to make a long train ride to a major city, Apple does not ship to P.R. China. Then the prices are very high. Even after conversion to USD they are about 50% more than they are in America.

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Answer 3

camoracer

Level 5

4,274 points

Mar 5, 2007 6:55 PM in response to Robert Crawford1

Even after replacing the hard drive you still have to get the operating system onto it. That is done with a restore.

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Answer 4

May 15, 2007 12:55 AM in response to Robert Crawford1

Fixed and it works fine. I ordered a new HD (I had it sent to a friend in the States who forwarded it to me) at the same time I replaced the battery. I then traveled to a city with an internet connection that I was able to use and did a restore. It is now working fine.

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