[Jordan]

Been struggling with this for a few weeks and can't work it out. Anyone think of anything that I can do??

Hardware:
- PowerMac G4 867Mhz
- Powerbook G4 800Mhz
- iPod 10Gb x 2
- FireWire Cables x 3

Software:
- OS 10.2.4
- iPod 1.2.1

Problem:
Plugging in an iPod to the PowerMac will not start iTunes and will not mount the iPod on the desktop. However, iPod is visible in Apple System Profiler as an attached device. When I plug it in I get the BeachBall for ages but no mounting. Both iPods mount perfectly on the Powerbook. The Powerbook can be attached to the PowerMac as a FireWire device and can be used perfectly.

What I've tried
- reset the iPod (full reset including a restore to factory defaults)
- Different combinations of FireWire cables and iPods.
- Reinstall 10.2 (Archive & Install with and without transferring users)
- Upgrade to 10.2.4 again

What I've not tried
- Renstall of OS (Erase and Install option)
- Hitting, dropping, throwing any device (Been tempted though)

I just recently swapped the G4 for my Cube with a friend. He says that it was working perfectly with his iPod before. (I've tried his iPod and since updating it to 10.2.4 doesn't seem to work anymore)

Anyone got any ideas. Will an 'Erase and Install' do something an Archive and Install won't?

[kndonlee]

If the Powerbook works fine, then you ought to try the erase and install.

But why don't you try creating a new user on the powermac, and try plugging the ipods in. If it works with the new user, then you know, there's something messed up with the prefs with the current user.

Hope that helps.

[Jordan]

Hate you!!!!

Actually, it wasn't the user that was the problem but doing what you suggested lead me to it eventually.

I created a new user AND tried another cable. Left the other cable in there attached to #1 FireWire port (laziness) and plugged the second cable into #2 trying another iPod. Lo and behold it worked. Went back trying different combinations and have finally been able to reproduce the problem.

FireWire #1 port will mount the PowerBook and appear to work correctly however will not mount either iPod

FireWire #2 port will mount the PowerBook AND the iPods and behave perfectly.

Solution: FireWire #1 has something wrong with it. Thank goodness for 3 year AppleCare. This baby's going back it's maker to get fixed.

All this time thought it was a cable or iPod problem and yet it was one of the ports on the G4. Bugger!!!

Thanks for your suggestion kndonlee