Windows sees external HDD, iTunes & iPod updater see nothing

[Josh784]

I installed a bunch of new parts in my PC this weekend, motherboard, hard drive, RAM, etc. I wanted to use my iPod to backup my files, so I used iPod updater to restore it, and put everything I wanted to back up onto it. Once I had the computer set up and running, I installed the iPod software, and copied all my files to the hard drive. I then installed iTunes, and ran it. iTunes asked me to name the iPod, which I did. That was a few days ago. Today, I deleted all my backed up files from the iPod, and iTunes no longer sees it, nor does iPod updater.

I have tried doing a hard reset, and putting it in disk mode. I also reinstalled iPod updater. It shows up in My Computer as "Josh" as a removable disc, but not in Apple's software, so I am unable to re-load my music onto it. (after restoring with iPod updater, I copied my iTunes directory onto it)

If anyone could shed some light onto my dilemma, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Josh

[honeybee1236]

Did you restore the iPOd and it's connecting now or it's still not connecting after you restored it?

What letter if the iPod showing up as in my computer? Try changing it to "I" or "E" if it's something else.

[Josh784]

It shows up as "F"...How do I change the drive lette? Do I use the format option available when I right click on it?

Thanks,
Josh

[Josh784]

Anybody?

[Josh784]

I'm using USB 2.0 if that helps at all...

[Josh784]

I tried reformatting by right clicking on it in My Computer.

It still shows up as "F" and is not recognized by iTunes or iPod updater.

??????????????????

[Josh784]

This is lame.

I just uninstalled iTunes, and restarted.

I then attempted to reinstall. When trying to change the install directory, the window only stays active for a split second, forcing me to click, enter a letter, click, enter another, etc. This happened the first time I tried to install iTunes on this computer also. Once I finally got the directory keyed in this time around, iTunes Setup gives me: Error 1606.Could not access networklocation bin.

As per ipod.com support, I cleaned out the temp folder in my documents before restarting.

iPod still shows as F: JOSH in My Computer, even after format. "About" in iPod menu shows it to be version 3.0.2.

I fail to see what the problem could possibly be here. As I said before, this is basically a new computer, using only a couple parts from my old one, and as such there is little software installed on it that could cause conflicts. One of the parts is my USB2.0 card, which worked on my old computer, which I have tried along with the USB ports on the motherboard.

System spec:
Epox nForce 3 250 motherboard
Seagate 80GB SATA HDD
Windows XP Pro
1GB PC3200 2.5-3-3-8
Athlon 64 2800+ at stock speeds
Security software: Microsft anti-spyware, and McAfee security center (virus protection and firewall) Windows firewall disabled, checked all security software and nothing is blocking iPod access.

Have 3 USB2.0 ports in read PCI slot from USB2.0 card, 4 on back of motherboard, and two on front of case, connected properly to motherboard. Other devices connected via USB: HP printer, TI graphlink cable.

Any help would be appreciated.

Josh

[Josh784]

Come on guys, I'd really appreciate some help here! Even a suggestion or two would be great, just something to try as I am missing using my iPod.

The latest development is that I cannot uninstall iPod updater: "Error: -1618 Another installation is already in progress."

Anybody?

[Josh784]

Tested iPod on different computer, and it works.

Tried changing drive letter to "I" with no luck.

Thanks for all the help so far :rolleyes:

[Josh784]

iTunes and iPod updater problems sovled, now reinstalled. Still no luck with iPod.

[ricktx]

I'm in much the same position, although I'm using a Firewire card rather than USB, and it's the same computer and OS that I've used all along, but the iPod is no longer recognized by any of the iPod apps.

I think what happened is this: I plugged in a USB memory device (a "thumb drive"), and that changed Windows' disk letter assignments, moving the iPod from "G:" to "H:". Windows XP shows the iPod as a detachable drive, and can browse through the iPod's files (and can even play the mp3 files), but Apple's iPod manager and Audible and Music Match (I installed all this before iTunes for Windows) think no iPod is attached.

Following a suggestion on another forum, I used the Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Disk Management tool to change the USB memory drive to "Z:" and the iPod back to "G:". NO LUCK -- the iPod is still not recognized.

I can't believe the hardware is faulty, that it happened to break just as I plugged in the USB device and changed the drive mapping. The same thing happens with a different iPod.

Any suggestions would be *much* appreciated.

Rick

[Josh784]

The only way I was able to solve my problem was by reformatting the HDD, and doing a fresh install of Windows.