Error Message/iPod won't mount anymore

[NRS1603]

My iPod worked fine on my iMac for the past 6 months. However, today I connected it like I always do, and got two simultaneous error messages which read:


A disk attempting to mount as Unknown has failed verification or has failed to mount. Please use Disk Utility to check the disk and correct any errors.

and

You have insterted a disk containing no volumes that Mac OS X can read. To use the unreadable volumes, click Initialize. To continue with the disk inserted, click Ignore.


I tried to run Disk First Aid, and it said it repaired the disk, but nothing happened. I tried it on this computer and my iBook (which both usually had no problems whatsoever with the iPod). I have about 1000 songs, and I can listen to them with the headphones if the iPod isn't plugged in to anything, but I can't add any more songs or install the new iPod software because it refuses to mount. Does anyone else have this problem? And if so, what should I do to fix it? Any help is appreciated.

[eustacescrubb]

I would first try plugging the iPod into another Mac to see if the problem is your iPod or your iBook.

[NRS1603]

I already tried that...it didn't work on the iMac so I tried it on the iBook, and no luck. Thanks anyway.

[eustacescrubb]

Well, that means it's the iPod; if you can't reset it, and it won't mount, you'll likely have to send it in to Apple.

[Galwegian19]

I'm having the same problem at the moment. My 10gb iPod has been mounting fine for the past few months, but yesterday it would not mount and those 2 messages keep popping up when i try to mount it. It will mount fine on a windows pc, so im pretty sure something went wrong with my computer, not the iPod...does anyone know of a solution to this problem? I've tried lots of the tricks that people mention like switching to OS9 or into another user account, but none of these work...any suggestions will be greatly appreciated,

Gal19

[NRS1603]

The other day, I took my iPod over to the Apple store in my mall. The guy there hooked it up to a computer, somehow installed a software update, and erased the whole thing. I lost every single song, but it works again.

[alternatekev]

Here are step by step instructions on how to fix this problem:

YOU WILL LOSE ALL THE MUSIC, CONTACTS AND EVENTS ON THE iPOD.
Make sure the iPod is not plugged in. Quit iTunes.

1. Downlaod and install the iPod Software 1.3 Updater http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=122014
2. Run the software. It should have 2 disabled buttons: Update and Restore.
3. Plug in the iPod
4. When you get your expected errors (for me, there were 2 windows: one asking if I wanted to open Disk Utility and another asking if I wanted to Initialize, Ignore or Eject), move all the windows aside (they still stay in front of everything) so that you can see the iPod Software Updater in the background.
5. The "Restore" button should now be enabled. Take a deep breath, understand you'll have to put everything back on your iPod that was there, and click "Restore." I believe there will be a dialog box making sure you want to do this.
6. As I recall, after an on-screen status bar, the iPod will ask to be unplugged. Do so and close the error windows you got when you plugged in the iPod the first time.
7. On the iPod's screen, you'll get a status bar. When it's done with whatever it's doing, it'll give you an icon telling you to plug it back into the firewire cable. Do so.
8. Your iPod should now (after a few seconds) re-appear on the desktop with a generic name. Launch iTunes and you'll get a dialog box asking what you'd like to name it, yadda yadda yadda, it's like new again.

I can't guarantee this will work for you, but it worked for me with no problems. I'm now saddled with the task of re-populating and syncing my iPod with my Mac. This is annoying but a lot less annoying than being saddled with the task of buying a new iPod or (shudder) a different, less-spiffy MP3 player.