PLEASE HELP: All was running great.... then it went downhill

[rubble099]

Thanks in advance for your help. Hopefully this will be an easy one for all you seasoned iPod fanatics.

Being no stranger to computers, I got my new 20GB iPod and dove right in. I installed all software (autorun) off the disk. Things were up and running with MM plug-in, iPod Manager, and Updater all able to detect the iPod. It didn't take me long to dislike MM for synching the iPod, so I downloaded EphPod, installed it and everything was up and running smoothly. I loved EphPod and was thrilled with my new toy.

Since I had already organized my tags and started ripping with MM 7.5, I figured I'd continue to use it for those purposes even though I planned on using EphPod to synch from now on. Since I wouldn't be using the MM plug-in (only compatible with 7.5) I decided to upgrade to 8.1 to have all the latest and greatest. This is when everything went downhill.

Since i've installed the latest MM version, it?s now difficult to get iPod Manager to recognize the docked iPod at all. Some times it shows up (iPod pic at the top of the iPod manager box), some times it does not. When it did show up, I was sure to check 'enable disk mode' so EphPod could pick up on it. (no luck) Even though the icon was there in the iPod manager, and the icon was present in the system tray (without the red x), the computer didn't recognize the iPod, and the iPod's screen never went into 'do not disconnect mode', and I'm able to 'safely' disconnect the iPod from the dock at any time. iPod Manager also says (when system tray icon is right-clicked) 'mount iPod 0' at the top of the menu, but when selected, nothing happens.

Updater (2.0.1 v2) does not detect the docked iPod either. Once Updater comes up, I tried to restore the iPod and start from scratch. No luck there. Updater usually locks up the computer, and when it doesn?t, I sometimes get a message that says ?updater can not continue because there are other applications using iPod. Please close all iPod applications and try again? or ?Can?t mount iPod?. I've made sure that nothing was accessing the iPod, but no luck again.

In order to trouble shoot, I?ve done the following (none of which worked):
1) Remove and reload all software (updater, manager, MM 7.5, MM plug-in) from the iPod disk, as well as EphPod. I've done this 3 seperate times.
2) I removed the firewire and reattached it to the computer.
3) Reset the iPod by pressing and holding ?menu? and ?play/pause? keys on the iPod itself, both while docked and undocked.
4) Physically removed the iPod from the dock and replaced it many times at different times.

The computer now does not recognize iPod at all, even as a separate drive letter. I?m more than willing to wipe the iPod and start from scratch. Does anyone have any suggestions I have not already tried? This is very strange, because it was working fine until I upgraded to the latest MM (I didn?t delete the plug-in or any other software when this was installed over MM 7.5) Because of all the steps I?ve taken, I?ve ruled out the software or the computer (including the firewire card). I think the problem is with the iPod itself, but I?m not sure why. Is there a way to wipe the iPod without connecting it to a computer? I?d love to start off with a clean slate.

This iPod was purchased through Amazon.Com and would be a long and difficult process to return and reorder? but it is returnable since it?s only a few days old.

Please advise?Thanks!

Rubble

[rubble099]

Forgot to mention... I'm running Windows XP.

Thanks,

Rubble

[Lance]

Alright, I recently (in the last 2 days) have delt with many of the problems you have, but in a different manner, yet in all my readings from the archives of this site, all the problems seem to come from the same place. My best recomendation is to start from scratch. I too have the 20 gig, and it doesn't take too long to fill up though firewire (I get a transfer speed of 5-7 mb/s).

*Remove mmjb completely. Remove all ipod software that shows up on your add/remove programs list. Remove ephpod (might as well eliminate all factors.)

*Go to the Apple web page, click support, select ipod, scroll down to "downloads/updates" and download updater 2.0.1

*Install the updater.

*Uninstall ipod manager (it's actually VERY unneccessary and the source of many problems.)

*Plug in ipod, go to start menu ->programs->ipod and run updater, and restore the ipod.

*Download ephpod 2.70a and install.

If all goes well up to this point, you're in very good hands...

*Download mmjb 8.1 and enter unlock code on your apple cd.

***DO NOT DOWNLOAD iPOD PLUGIN***

Now you can rip cd's though mmjb, upload/manage though ephpod, and use your ipod. To disconnect your ipod just use the explorer and right click the ipod drive and select "eject" and it should safely disconnect your ipod.

[rokamawa]

Hi I had the same problem only now its got worst.... latest development.... after numerous unsuccesful attempts previously I gave up and left my ipod for a couple of days. Just today I decided to give me luck a go and connected my ipod in the glimmer of hope that some divine intervention in the past couple of days would solve my woes. NOT!!!

Now, when it boots up... it firstly displays the apple logo and then a picture of a folder and an exclamation mark shows up before it shuts down on its own. The folder and exclamation mark is much like the low battery sign just the battery logo replaced with a folder logo. Can someone tell me what this means?

seems like a fair bit of people are encountering this problem... is there a way to get apple to take serious notice of this issue?

[Lance]

You need to run a restore on your ipod. Folder with exclamation point means you're missing system folders. Just run a restore, and it should fix everything.

[rubble099]

I tried what you suggested and unfortunately it didn't work.

I called Apple, and they are pointing to the Firewire card I installed. The card isn't windows certified (I didn't tell them that), but it did work before I upgraded to mmjb 8.1. The Apple tech said that it's possible for a non-sertified firewire card to work some of the time and not others... sounds strange to me.

I'm not sure what to do from here... I could sub another firewire card and roll the dice again, or I could return the iPod, call it a day, and pretend it never happened.

Anyone have any other suggestions outside of buying a Mac?

Thanks!

Rubble

[ashawley]

Go for the Adaptec 4300 or an Orange Micro card. Just make sure you can return them if that's not the problem, but I'm willing to be a good card will solve the problems....

Adam

[rubble099]

Adam,

Funny you should mention it... I picked up the Adaptec from Circuit City tonight (14 day return policy). Is the Adaptec 4300 "Windows XP Certified"? Is there a list of certified Firewire cards for WinXP?

I bought some $35 combo card (USB2.0 and Firewire) from NewEgg.com. All drivers loaded smoothly, and I'm still not convinced it's the card. I just find it strange that it worked for a while, then a software change is causing something not to work. Hopefully this works... I'll keep you posted.

Rubble

[Adam]

Things like that don't happen suddenly when you update software. Its unlikely thats its the firewire.

If all else fails, I suggest you format. Yes it may be a little harsh, but a fresh format solves 95% of problems with PC's (and don't go and have a field trip with this statement mac fanboys).

[rubble099]

Any thoughts on this?

Also, will iTunes replace the iPod manager and updater software?

Rubble

[rubble099]

Thanks to all for lending a helping hand... I'm finally a happy iPoder!

Rubble