Cannot re-format my iPod..(major problems)

joe360 · Jun 26, 2005, 11:44 PM

I have the newest iTunes (4.8), and the newest iPod updater (2005-03-23). And now I can't reformat my iPod. It has many problems with it, it doesn't recongize in iTunes, I see it in "my computer" but it often crashes. When I run iPod updater it use to get the service error, so I followed this the guide on the apple site.

Re-Installed iTunes (Step 1). The iPod updater worked for the first time and i clicked the 'Restore' option. But then I got this error "Cannot reformat: disk write error" something similar to that. Now when I run iPod updater it just says "initializing" and crashes there.

Fix one mp3 player now the other ones goes all wrong. Man I have have bad luck with computers...

Tipstaff · Jun 27, 2005, 12:22 AM

I had the same problem one time with a clients iPod mini. Best thing to do is reset the iPod (Toggle the Hold switch from on, to off, then press and hold down Menu and Select buttons until you see the Apple logo). Then, follow the below:

How to restore iPod for Windows XP and 2000

This procedure assumes that the iPod preferences are in their default condition, which means iTunes automatically opens whenever you connect iPod to your computer.

Warning: The restore process cannot be undone. All of your songs and files will be deleted. Always make a backup of your important data.

The USB cable is included with iPod mini and iPod (Click Wheel). When restoring with USB you will have to disconnect the iPod from the computer and attach it to the iPod AC Adapter to finish the restore (a graphic of a plug on the iPod will indicate if you have to do this - iPod mini (Second Generation) models connecting via USB do not need to be connected to the AC power adapter).

Connect iPod to your computer using the cable that came with iPod. iTunes opens and updates iPod with your music library and playlists. The iTunes display tells you when the iTunes music update is complete.
Quit iTunes.
Open the Updater application. Click the Start button, point to All Programs, then point to iPod, and click Updater.
Click Restore. An alert box appears to confirm you want to restore iPod.
Click Restore. A progress bar appears.
If you have iPod 2.0 software or later, or an iPod mini, skip to Step 9.
When the factory settings have been restored, unplug the cable from iPod.
When prompted by iPod, reconnect the cable. After iPod has turned on, and you see the message "Do not disconnect". Close the Updater window and iTunes automatically opens. Note: For iPod Software 1.1, when iPod is in Disk Mode a FireWire logo appears on the screen instead of the "Do not disconnect" message.
In the iTunes Setup Assistant window, type a name for iPod in the space provided.
The "Automatically update my iPod" option is selected by default. Deselect this option if you wish, then click Done. The iTunes main window appears, and the download status appears in the iTunes display.
Wait until the iTunes display says the update is complete.
Quit iTunes.
Disconnect the cable from iPod. After a few moments, the Language display appears on iPod's screen.
Select a language.
Quit the iPod Software Updater application.

This was the only way I could get my clients iPod mini fixed. The biggest thing to remember is that the updater program also has a "restore" function. However, this wouldn't work until I reset the iPod.

joe360 · Jun 27, 2005, 02:19 AM

Yeah I can't even get past step 1. I connect my iPod to my computer, attempt to open iTunes, which then my computer freezes. I tried just connecting it and going straight to the updater, but then it says "Plug in an iPod to update it". I also tried using the iPod earlier today, and wow it really has a mind of its own, it seems that it attempts to play a song for about 30sec, go nowhere, then randomly skips to the next song, attempt to play it and so on. Anyone think this is grounds from claiming warranty, this would be the second time already..

Tipstaff · Jul 1, 2005, 06:57 AM

Did you try a reset without having the unit plugged into the PC? I was able to reset it easily by plugging it into the wall charging cable, or by using the firewire cable. This was also true for updating/restoring it. I had more luck using the firewire cable.

In any case, if your having that much difficulty with it I would certainly give Apple a call. They are in a far better position to help you out with this. If you can return it to the place you purchased it for an exchange then I would do so. Even if it's the second time I wouldn't let that stop you. If you can exchange it maybe you might want to consider getting a different iPod series.

Hope you get this figured out.

classic_leon · Jul 1, 2005, 08:42 AM

Every time my friend connect his iPOD to my IEEE1394, I have to wait a long time for searching connecting. Is this a issue or kinda slow progress of iPod?

Tipstaff · Jul 1, 2005, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classic_leon

Every time my friend connect his iPOD to my IEEE1394, I have to wait a long time for searching connecting. Is this a issue or kinda slow progress of iPod?

One thing I've noticed is that if you connect the iPod (infact, any high transfer devices) to a cheap firewire card that there is always some issues. Take the firewire connection on the Audigy. This damn thing constantly screws up my external hard drive when I try to transfer large data back and fourth. Take the same drive, and throw it on card based on a true firewire chip, such as one based on a Texas Intruments chip, and everything runs faster, uses less CPU time, and is more stable than the cheaper cards AND USB2.0. Go figure.

The other thing is that IEEE1394 is considered by Windows to be a network/lan device, and as such will try to get an IP address when a device is connected to it (this doesn't happen with every device, but I have seen it happen a number of times). One thing you can try is to assign it a static address (such as 192.168.1.1), and try connecting the device again. I've seen this work on a number of cheaper cards, but it won't effect stability and speed issues if you have them.

classic_leon · Jul 1, 2005, 09:43 AM

Thanks, man. I'll use USB2.0 next time.

Jun 26, 2005, 11:44 PM	#1
joe360 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 78 Rep Power: 0	Cannot re-format my iPod..(major problems) I have the newest iTunes (4.8), and the newest iPod updater (2005-03-23). And now I can't reformat my iPod. It has many problems with it, it doesn't recongize in iTunes, I see it in "my computer" but it often crashes. When I run iPod updater it use to get the service error, so I followed this the guide on the apple site. Re-Installed iTunes (Step 1). The iPod updater worked for the first time and i clicked the 'Restore' option. But then I got this error "Cannot reformat: disk write error" something similar to that. Now when I run iPod updater it just says "initializing" and crashes there. Fix one mp3 player now the other ones goes all wrong. Man I have have bad luck with computers...

Jun 27, 2005, 12:22 AM	#2
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	I had the same problem one time with a clients iPod mini. Best thing to do is reset the iPod (Toggle the Hold switch from on, to off, then press and hold down Menu and Select buttons until you see the Apple logo). Then, follow the below: How to restore iPod for Windows XP and 2000 This procedure assumes that the iPod preferences are in their default condition, which means iTunes automatically opens whenever you connect iPod to your computer. Warning: The restore process cannot be undone. All of your songs and files will be deleted. Always make a backup of your important data. The USB cable is included with iPod mini and iPod (Click Wheel). When restoring with USB you will have to disconnect the iPod from the computer and attach it to the iPod AC Adapter to finish the restore (a graphic of a plug on the iPod will indicate if you have to do this - iPod mini (Second Generation) models connecting via USB do not need to be connected to the AC power adapter). Connect iPod to your computer using the cable that came with iPod. iTunes opens and updates iPod with your music library and playlists. The iTunes display tells you when the iTunes music update is complete. Quit iTunes. Open the Updater application. Click the Start button, point to All Programs, then point to iPod, and click Updater. Click Restore. An alert box appears to confirm you want to restore iPod. Click Restore. A progress bar appears. If you have iPod 2.0 software or later, or an iPod mini, skip to Step 9. When the factory settings have been restored, unplug the cable from iPod. When prompted by iPod, reconnect the cable. After iPod has turned on, and you see the message "Do not disconnect". Close the Updater window and iTunes automatically opens. Note: For iPod Software 1.1, when iPod is in Disk Mode a FireWire logo appears on the screen instead of the "Do not disconnect" message. In the iTunes Setup Assistant window, type a name for iPod in the space provided. The "Automatically update my iPod" option is selected by default. Deselect this option if you wish, then click Done. The iTunes main window appears, and the download status appears in the iTunes display. Wait until the iTunes display says the update is complete. Quit iTunes. Disconnect the cable from iPod. After a few moments, the Language display appears on iPod's screen. Select a language. Quit the iPod Software Updater application. This was the only way I could get my clients iPod mini fixed. The biggest thing to remember is that the updater program also has a "restore" function. However, this wouldn't work until I reset the iPod. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Jul 1, 2005, 06:57 AM	#4
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	Did you try a reset without having the unit plugged into the PC? I was able to reset it easily by plugging it into the wall charging cable, or by using the firewire cable. This was also true for updating/restoring it. I had more luck using the firewire cable. In any case, if your having that much difficulty with it I would certainly give Apple a call. They are in a far better position to help you out with this. If you can return it to the place you purchased it for an exchange then I would do so. Even if it's the second time I wouldn't let that stop you. If you can exchange it maybe you might want to consider getting a different iPod series. Hope you get this figured out. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Jul 1, 2005, 08:42 AM	#5
classic_leon HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Wu Han, Hu Bei, P.R.China Posts: 1,238 Rep Power: 0	Every time my friend connect his iPOD to my IEEE1394, I have to wait a long time for searching connecting. Is this a issue or kinda slow progress of iPod? __________________ Fashion keeps us alive. YouP-PAX Please visit http://www.A-PAX.co.uk to discuss the computer mods. The latest YouP PAX modded drivers are provided on the site.

Jul 1, 2005, 09:43 AM	#7
classic_leon HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Wu Han, Hu Bei, P.R.China Posts: 1,238 Rep Power: 0	Thanks, man. I'll use USB2.0 next time. __________________ Fashion keeps us alive. YouP-PAX Please visit http://www.A-PAX.co.uk to discuss the computer mods. The latest YouP PAX modded drivers are provided on the site.

Jun 27, 2005, 02:19 AM	Thread Starter #3
joe360 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 78 Rep Power: 0	Yeah I can't even get past step 1. I connect my iPod to my computer, attempt to open iTunes, which then my computer freezes. I tried just connecting it and going straight to the updater, but then it says "Plug in an iPod to update it". I also tried using the iPod earlier today, and wow it really has a mind of its own, it seems that it attempts to play a song for about 30sec, go nowhere, then randomly skips to the next song, attempt to play it and so on. Anyone think this is grounds from claiming warranty, this would be the second time already..