File errors? hard drive failure? I dont know..

My Ipod had been working fine for the few years I have had it.. (got it used, so im not sure about warranty/service) Then recently, it would freeze up on certain songs and after a while, just skip the songs (it's not the audio files.. they've all been ripped from CDs). After a few days of that kind of malfunction.. it stopped working all together. It powers on, but wont even make it to the menus. I can hear the hard drive spinning.. but after a while of displaying the apple logo, it displays a strange.. file error looking icon. a folder with a triangle over it, with an exclamation point inside (!). then it turns off.. sometimes powering back on by itself and repeating the same strange error. I have tried to reformat the ipod.. but when I connect it to my PC.. it makes my PC freeze until it is unplugged (strange, i know). The PC does not recognize it, and neither does Itunes. So I cant update the software, or reformat the storage.. It seems to me that maybe the hard drive inside is ruined? Is there any way to fix that? or is it doomed for the trash? any tips would be much appreciated. Thanks.

splaneto Aug 31, 2008

My son's iPod, first generation, had the same problem. I checked some websites and found out that the fix, in many cases, was not a hard drive failure but rather a bad connection on the ribbon cable that goes from the board to the hard drive. Took me about 5 minutes, including opening the case, to follow the procedure. I turned it on, charged it, the menu came up and worked fine. I have turned it on and off several times and things are wonderful. Now, all that being said, this does involve a small word, RISK. The cable is very small and fragile. The connection is not putting a cable on some pins, it slides underneath the connector and you push it in place. I also did make a small mark where I put my tweaker in to leverage open the case. The folks at the following link are the ones to thank here. Very simple easy to understand and had pictures to follow.http://lowendmac.com/zisman/06/0911.html
Regards,
Stephano

3 Answers

Anonymous

I'll suggest this a a very last-ditch method, as I've had this problem countless times with my faithful 4th gen: Press rather firmly on the metal side and/or bash the metal side on a table. this is basically a modification of the folded paper solution, without having to open your ipod up.

Posted on Nov 09, 2007

Anonymous

This particular generation is known for getting the ipod screen of death. As it turns out, there is an issue with the hard drive ribbon cable. It is possible to dissasemble (open) the device and reset the ribbon cable. I did this and it worked again for about a year before I started to have the same problem again.

I'm sure there are numerous online resources on how to open and upgrade your IPOD. Use the same instructions to disconnect and re-connect your ribbon cable. I think you will find this will cure your problem with the 4th generation device.

Posted on Nov 09, 2007

Anonymous

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67 Answers

Sounds like a possible hard drive failure. Have you tried to do a reset? Toggle the hold button on and then off. Then hold down the menu button and the center button at the same time. hold them until the screen flashes. then release. You may have to try this several times.

Posted on Jul 29, 2007

1 Related Answer

Anonymous

135 Answers

SOURCE: My ipod is not working

The problem is with the hard drive. If you feel comfortable enough opening the iPod, you can buy a replacement hard drive on eBay, open it up (there are special pry tools you can buy on eBay that won't scratch the case, but if you don't mind you can use a small flathead screwdriver) and replace the hard drive.

Posted on Jan 05, 2008

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