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FortyOne3X7S · Jul 14, 2006, 01:08 PM

THURSDAY:

Hello everyone! I plugged in my iPod to my new iMac G5. OSX said there was an update - I ran the update, but an "error" window popped up. It closed itself before I could get a good look. When the updater quit, it launched again and updated without the error message. The iPod stayed frozen with the black background/silver apple logo for quite some time, then shut off. Now it won't turn on, and nothing happens when I plug it into the computer! I've tried resetting, as well as plugging it into different computers.

The iPod doesn't even show up in the System Profiler on the USB bus. There's an Apple article that says some iPods need to drain their battery before they can be properly reset - Maybe I'll just leave it alone for the day and try again tomorrow.

I can't very well run the update again because the iPod Updater app says there is no iPod connected.

FRIDAY:

I just got off the phone with Apple... "Go to a genius bar." Very nice... and what are THEY going to do? They certainly aren't going to exchange my iPod on the spot! Why must I drive THREE hours to the nearest Apple store just so a "Genius" (of which I am highly skeptical, having worked in IT many a year)?

I won't be able to head to the big city until Tuesday; hopefully it will fix itself by then. Oh, you also can't make reservations any further in advance than 24 hours... so I have to remember to make the reservation on Monday. Yay.

'm trying to decide whether I should go through the hassle of going to the Apple Store or if I should just mail the thing in... I'll be MOST DISPLEASED if I waste the trip down to the "Genius" bar only to have them say "Yep, it's broken." Grrrrrrr...

brassplayersrock² · Jul 14, 2006, 01:58 PM

it happens

imitchellg5 · Jul 14, 2006, 09:36 PM

Huh that is funny. iPod updater fixes my iPod.

ghporter · Jul 15, 2006, 10:15 AM

RESET the iPod (hold Menu and Select down for about 10 seconds) and see if that does anything. If it does, plug the iPod back in and try to run the updater again. That should fix it. If not, it'll be more data to tell the Genius (who will be MUCH more knowledgable about iPods and their issues than you and I are, by the way-it's his/her JOB to be).

FortyOne3X7S · Jul 15, 2006, 04:25 PM

I stated in my original post that I tried resetting. Also tried disk mode and hard resets. Thanks for the redundant advice, though. Heading off to the Apple store on Tuesday (I seem to remember saying that too).

brassplayersrock² · Jul 15, 2006, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by FortyOne3X7S

I stated in my original post that I tried resetting. Also tried disk mode and hard resets. Thanks for the redundant advice, though. Heading off to the Apple store on Tuesday (I seem to remember saying that too).

ghporter · Jul 16, 2006, 05:00 AM

Originally Posted by FortyOne3X7S

I stated in my original post that I tried resetting. Also tried disk mode and hard resets. Thanks for the redundant advice, though. Heading off to the Apple store on Tuesday (I seem to remember saying that too).

I should have been more clear. I should have said "try to reset the iPod again, and again and again." Sometimes the thing will just curl up in a fetal position for a while (or so it seems) and do nothing at all, but trying to reset it -repeatedly- can sometimes help. And the Genius will want to know about what you've done, including that multiple reset attempts over time didn't fix it.

imitchellg5 · Jul 16, 2006, 08:10 PM

The last Genius I visited was suprised when I used command-tab on my iMac.

kahuna · Jul 17, 2006, 08:01 PM

you may be surprised when the genius hands you a new ipod for your trouble of driving to a store. it happens all the time. in fact, spend some time in the apple store and you may experience the best retail "tech" available.

"Why must I drive THREE hours to the nearest Apple store just so a "Genius" (of which I am highly skeptical, having worked in IT many a year"

because they are NOT just IT. they are trained to FIX things too.

"Oh, you also can't make reservations any further in advance than 24 hours... so I have to remember to make the reservation on Monday. Yay."

how about using your computer to email yourself a note to get an appointment on monday, duh.
paper and pencil works too, btw.

ghporter · Jul 17, 2006, 09:24 PM

Yeah, I did that with my son's iPod. They ran the hard drive diagnostic on it, it failed, and the Genius said, "we'll have to replace it." It took exactly the 15 minute appointment time. Unfortunately they didn't have the exact replacement in stock so they had to order it. It came in the next day, totally blowing me away! The guys behind the counter are good, they're professional, and they know the hardware.

FortyOne3X7S · Jul 19, 2006, 01:13 AM

Alrighty, folks! I walked up to the Genius bar, handed the dude the iPod, he played around with it, checked the info and would have handed me a replacement right then and there (as you predicted!).

But then he sees that my serial number is registered to a name I've never heard of, "Al Sundin." My name is somewhat similar, so perhaps it was a typo... I don't know - I bought my iPod DIRECTLY from Apple.com

I pulled up the invoice for that order which showed that the serial number was indeed mine, and the Genius said that was enough proof for him. I walked out with a new 30GB Black iPod Video and have NOT run the updater yet. I've copied my library and videos back over.

Why fix what isn't broken? I'm just so glad that I'll have my tunes and casts for the drive up to twin lakes this weekend! Thank you everyone for your help; problem solved.

kahuna · Jul 19, 2006, 03:17 PM

names = details. sometimes we all get caught up in them. but it was for the better, right? ipods can be touchy. part of the big cost for your ipod is for the fact that you can get a replacement for something you did/didn't do to it. only people who experience it will be grateful. everyone else will just moan about it.