Handy links for anyone having iPod problems

[poprock]

Every now and again someone posts here asking what to do when something goes wrong with their iPod.

The first step is usually to reset the iPod, a bit like restarting a computer. The buttons you need to hold down to do this are different on each model of iPod. Resetting usually sorts you out.

The second step for more serious problems is to take your iPod in to an Apple Store (if you live near one) or an independent Apple specialist shop, like Just Mac in Glasgow.

If you’re fairly technically literate though, you can try a couple of other things for yourself. Firstly, restarting the iPod in Diagnostic Mode. You can’t fix anything in Diagnostic Mode, but you can figure out what’s wrong. Again, the combination of buttons to do that varies from one iPod model to the next.

The third thing you can try is restarting the iPod in Disk Mode, which bypasses the iPod operating system and makes it act just as a hard drive for connecting to your computer. From there, you can then run the latest iPod Updater from Apple and use it to wipe you iPod clean and start from scratch.

To find out quickly what button combinations you need for each of those three restart modes, check here.

For instructions on restarting an iPod in Disk Mode, to then reinstall the iPod operating system with Apple’s latest iPod Updater, check here.

For a really hardcore techy way of testing/repairing an iPod’s hard drive, check here for a guide to cracking open the iPod and which adaptors you will need to hook the tiny drive up to a PC for running more serious drive repair utilities.

For Apple’s help pages, which deal with less technically-desperate troubleshooting and instructions, go here.

***Largest of Gregs adds:

I believe that if you do a disk check in diagnostic mode it attempts to fix any problems it finds...

Some good videos showing how to change the battery...

3rd generation ipod
4th Generation ipod. Photo and Video

You can buy a baattery for about £8 now from ebay, which will save a wad of cash

[Largest of Gregs]

I believe that if you do a disk check in diagnostic mode it attempts to fix any problems it finds...

[poprock]

That’s helpful.

[Largest of Gregs]

only small problems will be sorted tho. Any bigger problems then you will need to follow the instructions on removing the hard drive

[Largest of Gregs]

Some good videos showing how to change the battery...

3rd generation ipod
4th Generation ipod. Photo and Video

You can buy a baattery for about £8 now from ebay, which will save a wad of cash

[Elfaba]

erm the first link isnt working and my ipod mini appears to be gubbed

[poprock]

erm the first link isnt working

Weird. Works for me.

Try going to www.command-tab.com

In the archives on the right-hand side, click March 2006. Then click the article called Hidden iPod Commands. That’s what the link goes to.

[djtoast]

The url has some BB code mixed up with it. It should be

http://www.command-tab.com/2006/03/3...ipod-commands/

Good luck with it!

[Elfaba]

cheers got it sorted now guys

thanks very much

[Withnail]

Is it possible to get a replacement clickwheel? Mine's starting to go on my mini, but it's lasted 2 years of constant abuse and dropping.

[Largest of Gregs]

sadly its not as simple as just popping one in. It a complicated but of electronics.

If you want another mini, then john lewis sells refurbished ones reasonably cheap

[Withnail]

[Largest of Gregs]

Hey, I may be wrong, y'never know but im pretty sure thats how it is.

sorry