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nayr x · Aug 4, 2003, 03:14 PM

Okay, so I went out and bought a 15GB iPod as a present to myself... I get it home, and I am already having problems... I bought a refurbished one, it was 10% off and they let me inspect it in the store, it still is under warranty and everything, so I dont want to have to drive back to the apple store an hour after buying it:

Here is what has happened:

Upon connecting it for the first time, it did not recognize it as an iPod, the I realize I had been skipping the iPod software update for the last however long because it was 15megs and I didnt have an ipod then. So i downloaded it, and it recognized it, and brought up iTunes.

Next I manually copied all my music to it. All good. But now, I cannot get the ipod to turn off, change the menus, anything. It's like the buttons do nothing (and the hold is not on, im not a moron, thank you). The screen says "Disc Mode" at the top, which makes me think it is in firewire disc-drive mode, but I cant figure out how to get it to respond to me. When I eject the ipod from my desktop, the iPod screen says "Okay to disconnect" with a check mark, but nothing else happens. I have tried the reset, but since it is on and wont turn off, i dont know how much effect it is having. Please! someone respond! I'd hate to have to smash this beyotch so soon after getting it!
Thanks!

AssassyN · Aug 4, 2003, 03:21 PM

Sounds to me like it's formatted for the wrong operating system. In other words, if you connect a Mac formatted iPod to a Windows machine, it'll tell you it's in "Disk Mode".

Connect the iPod to your Mac, then use the iPod Software to "Restore" the iPod to it's factory settings. It'll reformat it for your Mac, then you can place your songs back on and all should be well.

nayr x · Aug 4, 2003, 03:26 PM

i dunno, the first thing I did was "restore" the software using iPod Update 2.0.1

I just reinitialized the ipod and am re-importing my music. Even if it *were formatted for PC, shouldnt i still be able to turn it off/scroll through menus? The thing has not been turned off since I first turned it on. I am getting frustrated.....

P.S.-- when i hold the menu/playpause keys simultaneously for 5 seconds, the ipod turns off... then the apple logo appears, then an icon of a folder with a /!\ warning sign, then it goes back to the disc mode screen....

AssassyN · Aug 4, 2003, 03:36 PM

Hmmm...if the Restore doesn't solve it, I'd bet you've got a screwed iPod...I'd take it back ASAP.

::maroma:: · Aug 4, 2003, 04:29 PM

That's probably why the first person brought it back. Saving $40 and gambling on whether or not it will work right doesn't sound worth it to me. Go for a new one, spend the extra cash. The time you've spent messing with the one you have, and having to spend the time to take it back must've been worth more than $40 to you.

nayr x · Aug 4, 2003, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by ::maroma:::
That's probably why the first person brought it back. Saving $40 and gambling on whether or not it will work right doesn't sound worth it to me. Go for a new one, spend the extra cash. The time you've spent messing with the one you have, and having to spend the time to take it back must've been worth more than $40 to you.

Well, all is well. I fixed the problem, although Im still not certain what it was. Apparently the updater I downloaded from software update didn't work correctly. I reinstalled the iPod software from the CD that came with it and restored it AGAIN, this time it did come off the 'disc mode' screen and loaded up correctly! Hooray! It seems to be taking a long time to charge, but other than that it's working! As far as buying a refurbished, I normally wouldn't but as I was standing there in the store trying to decided if I wanted to drop $400 bucks on a toy like this... I dunno, the idea of 10% off sounded pretty good, and I made them let me look at them to ensure they weren't all beat up. So in the end, I saved 40 bucks, and that was worth the 2hours of tinkering to get it up and running. I dont think I would ever buy a used laptop or anything... ( a computer is a personal thing to me...I dont want someone elses...) anyway, like you said.. a gamble... but I think i came out on top. I spent the cash I saved on a cable for my kenwood car deck and Im gonna buy a cigarette lighter adapter and try to mount my 'dock' in my car. The thing that excited be most about an iPod was not having to frig with CDs anymore, I have tons and they are all scratched and a pain in the ass. Anyway, Im rambling.... Thanks to everyone that responded! Later!