[pjmurphy]

I have "killed" two ipods in less than four months and I am looking for some comments on my analysis..

Victims: 3G 15g iPods
Suspect: TUMI Vesey bag

Scene of Crimes: Airports

HOMICIDE #1

I travel to the Bahamas for a week. I carry a TUMI Vesey bag. This bag is perfect for me because it can handle my PB17" and has great side pockets for cell phones, water bottles and iPods!

2 days after returing from a trip, I notice my iPod displays the !FILE icon and I can feel the hard drive skipping in the iPod. Try EVERYTHING to reset but no such luck.

I know that iPods can go through airport security so that couldnt be the issue. No drops or moisture issues!??!

Applecare takes care of the issue and sends me a brand-new 15G after confirming the fault.

HOMICIDE #2

Traveling with the new iPod and the same TUMI bag. Sitting on a plane roughly 1 hour after going through security. Listening to iPod - it stops dead in it's tracks and the !FILE icon appears!

Familiar hard-drive clicking initiates and it goes into cardiac arrest. It is official - time of death is 6:45 PM EST.

Common Denominators:

1) Aiport security
2) TUMI Bag

Cross Examination: I use the TUMI to carry my iPod (for long periods) when I travel. Occassionally I will take my iPod to the office in the bag, but that is a quick 20 minute trip and the bag is not under any "travel-stress".

Here is the kicker-> The TUMI bag uses six magnets to close flaps... INCLUDING the flaps on the side pouches. These magnets are roughly half-inch squares... could this be it?!

Applecare has never heard of magnets doing this and I cannot find any documentation of this on the boards..

I am hoping to hear from you, the jury, your thoughts and a verdict. The lives of two wonderful iPods are in your hands!

[subego]

I have not had this happen, and have not heard of this happening (with an iPod at least).

Would it be too irritating of a suggestion to actually try and murder your iPod with the magnets?

It would potentially confirm that's what's been happening.

[pjmurphy]

Originally posted by subego:
I have not had this happen, and have not heard of this happening (with an iPod at least).

Would it be too irritating of a suggestion to actually try and murder your iPod with the magnets?

It would potentially confirm that's what's been happening.

Since I have already eliminated two, is someone else willing to try this??

[tr]

i highly doubt that it's the magnets. unless your bag uses high field strength rare earth/neodymium magnets for the closure (which i highly doubt), and they are sitting right on the iPod itself, then possibly.

but even in that case, the field would have to be great enough to affect the drive, through the iPod outer case, and through the case surrounding the HD. so, if these magnets were this strong, you would probably notice, because the magnets on the flaps would probably cling to the iPod when you start to put it in the pocket.

so what's causing the problems? all i can say is that maybe you just got unlucky, and had two bad drives. i mean, it's happened to me with ATA drives: bought a brand new drive, go to format it, made bad noises and wouldn't format or show up, had to send it back.

tr

[Cellery]

It's probably not the bag, but personally I have the sneaking suspicion that the strong magnet on my money clip killed my 3G 15GB iPod a couple of months ago. I keep the replacement far away from the money clip, and it's great, but since iPods are so expensive, I'm not going to push my luck again.

[subego]

Originally posted by pjmurphy:
Since I have already eliminated two, is someone else willing to try this??

Well I don't have that bag so I can't tes...

Okay. It was a stupid idea.

Withdrawn.