iPod skips ... why now?

[brooklynipod]

I have a 20 GB iPod and very recently I've noticed that it is much more prone to skipping that it ever has.

In particular I've noticed that long tracks (DJ mixes that are about an hour long) skip a lot. but other regular tracks skip too.

Does anyone know how to diagnose and fix this problem?

I have to admit that I've dropped my iPod a few times, but it's never been without padding, i.e., it's always been in some type of case or cushioning. But I am paranoid that the last time I dropped it is causing it to skip like this.

Or am I way off base?

[kuma]

hmm i dunno sounds a little similar to my problem... small drops (from the desk to hard floor) seem to have affected my old ipod.. long time reading before playing and always seems to skip the first few songs on playing.. it has to be rewound to start from track 1....
needless to say... I am treating my new ipod like an egg.... (i was going to say like gold... but I am more than happy to drop a nugget of gold...)

[kazeeks]

I seem to have the same problem, especially with long mp3 files (hours). Playback will cut out for a second, maybe two, then come back fine. It does this every 5-10-15 minutes or so. It also does it on smaller single-song mp3 files. I know it's not corrupted files, because they're my cd's ripped with my iTunes on my mac. I also haven't dropped my iPod either. I got it in July 2002 and it's been skipping since I got it. I know I should have exchanged it, but I was stupid and i didn't. I think that 20minute skip protection buffer is a hoax, and I'm surmising that the buffer runs out on long files and the HD has to scramble to fill it back up, but it doesn't catch it in time, and i get drop-outs. It really sucks.

It's good to see others with this issue, cause there's not too much on this site about a skipping iPod.

/eric

[m.r.m.]

the slight skip during very long tracks comes from the ipod having to reload it?s buffer/cache.

[kazeeks]

i agree that the ipod has issues keeping its buffer full on long tracks, but my ipod skips on short tracks too. You'd think that a 20 minute buffer would allow the ipod to load an entire song (or a few) into ram and play it, without any skips. A four minute mp3 should not skip three times during its playback. Maybe my ipod is mysteriously broke, but if not, the ipod needs some reworking of the buffer/playback software.

/eric

[caterinka]

I have a theory about this, but it would sound like a conspiracy theory, so I don't want to say it aloud lest you all believe me to be a nut job.

Has everyone with these newfound skips upgraded to 1.3?

[eustacescrubb]

I've noticed a few skips here and there, but not very often - definitely more than before 1.3, but not nearly as often as some of you others are reporting. The skips don't seem to be connected to track length.
I'd say once or twice a week I hear a skip, and I use my iPod probably eight hours a day during the week.

[kazeeks]

yes I have updated to 1.3. I'm bummed about the lack of games.

perhaps Cupertino subliminally wants me to buy a new iPod.

[eustacescrubb]

perhaps Cupertino subliminally wants me to buy a new iPod.

I think it's safe to say that they overtly want you to buy a new iPod. :p

[Bakerman]

I overtly want to upgrade to a new one too, just because it is new. I have a perfectly good 20, use it often and heavy, have NEVER dropped it, upgraded to 1.3 and it has rarely ever skipped.

So much for the conspiracy theory :)