Restore IPod to defaults without connecting to computer

[tmeehan]

I have an older ipod G2 or G3 not sure. It is the first 20 gig model that came out. Anyway the computer won't recognize it but it charges fine from the firewire cable. It plays music fine as an mp3 player but I just can't get it to be recognized by the computer. I have tried several computers and 3 firewire cables. No use.

I would like to restore it to factory defaults but all the articles that explain how to do it involve using itunes or atleast being able to connect to a computer. There must be a way (by holding down certain things on the ipod) to restore without access to a computer. I know about the reset method but that doesn't help this problem.

Also, I have removed the hard drive from the ipod and connected directly to the computer with an IDE adaptor. I am able to see the all the files and have done a complete clone of it to my computers hard drive. Does anyone know if there is a way to work with it hooked up this way. iTunes doesn't see it but I can manipulate the files if need be.

I am desperate. I need to get this thing working again. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[trevor]

Hmmm. The first iPod with 20 GB was the second generation, or G2. Just to be sure, does your iPod look like this:
Second Generation
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5e/Ipod_2G.png

or like this:
Third Generation
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Ipod_backlight_transparent.png/357px-Ipod_backlight_transparent.png

The reason that this might be important is that the 2nd generation does not allow USB sync, but the third generation does.

Trevor

[tmeehan]

Thanks trevor for your reply. Mine is definitely a G2. It has no USB ... only firewire. I read on another site somewhere that it is possible for the firewire port (on the ipod) to go bad-ish. In other words it will charge the ipod but won't mount. Seems strange but those are the symptoms. It just seems like there must be a way to restore this thing without connecting to a computer.

Unrelated: I see you are in Boulder. I lived there back in the 80's. I loved it there. I lived in the apartments at 16th & Walnut. Are they still there or did developers finally take over that residential block? Would really like to get back there someday.