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View Full Version : ipod won't show up on my desktop or itunes


blackdiamondbay
07-20-2005, 02:00 PM
I bought a 40GB iPod (with click wheel) in November 2004. I used it with my dad's dell laptop (windows) because my desktop (windows) was so old that it did not have even a USB 1.0. I bought a powerbook g4 (with tiger installed, plus I also have the 10.4.2 update) in mid-june, and I have been using my ipod with it since. Just a few days ago, my ipod stopped mounting on my computer, after working with it for about a month. It happened when I was trying to connect both my and my sister's ipod to my computer at the same time (mine with firewire and her's with usb). Since then, my ipod has not worked on my computer. When connected with either firewire or usb, it displays the "do not disconnect" image, and begins showing that circle with arrows in the upper left hand corner. However, the ipod does not mount on my computer (doesn't show up in the desktop or in itunes). As far as I can tell, it is not a problem with my computer, as my sister's ipod still mounts on my computer using both firewire and usb. Also, my ipod shows up on my sister's windows laptop, so it seems to be a problem with my ipod when used with mac os. And my ipod also still works in its normal form (disconnected from computer and playing on headphones).

I have done the following things to try to save my ipod:
-reseting (menu + select)
-disk mode and/or restore (menu +select, next+prev)
-downloading the new ipod software update, but i cannot use it since my computer does not recognize it.

if anyone could help me out, that would be great. just to check, if someone whose ipod works could plug it in and go to system profiler and post the information that it gives for their ipod, it would probably help. mine is pretty normal, except that it leaves out some of the sections that are usually there in system profiler for the ipod. i know that it says "s.m.a.r.t. - no" when i think that it should say yes. i also tried to use disk utility. it shows up in there, but when i try to mount it using the button on the toolbar on top, it says that it won't work and that i have to do first aid on the ipod, which never works either . . . i don't know what to do. please help.

xlax999999
07-20-2005, 03:55 PM
Try opening up Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities. Does the iPod show up in the left toolbar? if so try reformating it (Mac OS X Journaled) through Disk Utility then reinstall the software via iPod Updater.

tsmilt
09-17-2005, 11:29 PM
i was using a friends ipod as an external HD to transfer some files from my old g3 to my new mac mini and there wasn't enough space on it so i copied all the files off of it a trashed everything else now the i pod wont mount and im worried because i have to give it back to him tomorrow morning HELP!! what can i do i got into disc utility and its now there i unplugged and plugged it a lot all it says is charged and lets me go through its menu but i cant put all his music and stuff back on it to give to him.... its a 4 gb i pod mini

xlax999999
09-17-2005, 11:49 PM
First off Relax, Take a deep breath.

You say that you got it to show up on Disk Utility, that's good news. Click on the Firewire icon that represents the iPod on the left hand toolbar. Try clicking the blue mount button.

Another thing to try would be to open up iPod Updater usually in Apps>Utilities> try to update the software if that fails you may have to restore it to get it to mount. However, be forewarned, restoring will erase the iPod.

Good Luck

tsmilt
09-17-2005, 11:53 PM
I was using a friends ipod as an external HD to transfer some files from my old g3 to my new mac mini and there wasn't enough space on it so i copied all the files off of it to my mini. Trashed everything that was on the ipod and now the i pod wont mount and im worried because i have to give it back to him tomorrow morning HELP!!

What can i do?
I got into disc utility and its not there i unplugged and plugged it a lot. it wont mount. All the ipod says on the screen is charged, lets me go through its menu when i hit buttons on it. But i cant put all his music and stuff back on it to give to him untill i can view it as a volume.... its a 4 gb i pod mini thats all i know about it...

hayne
09-18-2005, 12:12 AM
Check the procedures on Apple's iPod troubleshooting page:
http://www.info.apple.com/usen/ipod/tshoot.html

Depending on what got trashed, it might be necessary to restore the iPod to factory condition using Apple's "Restore" utility. But you should read all the docs available before doing anything in case you end up doing more damage.

And, by the way, I merged your separate thread into this existing thread. Please don't start a new thread when you already have asked the same question on an existing thread.

tsmilt
09-18-2005, 02:09 AM
Awesome thanks man you just saved me from giving a bum ipod back to my bud. :cool:

i reset the thing according to apples instructions and reconnected it and pop there it was all i had to do was hit a restore button in itunes and now its working fine. :)

sorry for the double post i didn't think anyone would see this one hidden in the muck.