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Mount and Update Your iPod

When you can't get your iPod to mount or show up on your computer there are a few things you can do to trouble shoot this problem. Please follow these suggestions in order:

1) First off, connect your iPod to your computer and then restart your computer. Sometimes that's a quick and easy fix. Also try restarting your iPod.

2) If restarting doesn't work, try forcing your iPod into Disk Mode.

3) Does your iPod appear in Windows Explorer or on the OS X Desktop but not in iTunes or iPod Updater? There may be a software conflict, or the iPod software didn't load properly. You may see an "iPod Service Error" alert or a "Please Reinstall iTunes" message.

4) Maybe the USB or FireWire port you are using to connect your iPod to your computer is the problem.

Try plugging your iPod into another port. Also try unplugging all extra devices (cameras, scanners, Palm Pilots, etc) from your computer. Sometimes when chained together, these devices can drain all the power from your USB/FireWire ports and prevent other devices from functioning properly. Apple's iSight camera is one such problematic device.

If you are using a USB or FireWire card, make sure it's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certified (PC only). Also check with the manufacturer. There may be Firmware updates available for the card(s) that can solve this iPod connection problem.

NERD NOTE: The front USB port on most computers is USB 1.1 but your iPod needs a high-power USB 2.0 port so try the port in the back of your PC. Low-power ports such as the USB port on your keyboard or bus-powered USB hub don't have enough juice to mount your iPod.

5) If you have access to another iPod, try plugging it into your computer. This can help you narrow down if the issue is with your iPod or your computer.

6) Is your operating system up to date? Mac users should run Software Update (Applications > System Preferences) and PC users should check windowsupdate.com. Also remember that iTunes only works with Windows 2000/XP and Mac OS X.

7) While your iPod is plugged into your computer, open iTunes. iTunes may automatically detect a software update necessary for your iPod. If not, try updating your version of iTunes and the iPod's firmware with the latest version from Apple's website. DO NOT REINSTALL FROM THE CD THAT CAME WITH YOUR iPOD. The software on that CD is old and out of date.

You could also try reinstalling iTunes. If the updater or iTunes still doesn't recognize your iPod, keep reading.

8) Let's try uninstalling iTunes and then reinstalling the iPod and iTunes software. Remove iTunes software and then reinstall iPod and iTunes software from latest versions on the web.

9) What sex is your iPod, Mac or PC? You might be trying to use a Mac (HFS+) iPod on a PC (fat32). Mac iPods will not work on a PC until they are reformatted to Fat32. PC iPods can work with both Mac and PC computers.

You can use the iPod Software Updater to reformat your iPod for Mac or PC.

10) Kill specific preferences related to your iPod.

PC users: Go to the Run command (START menu). Run msconfig. Uncheck iPod watcher. The error message should disappear and the iPod should mount.

Mac OS X Users can try to delete this file if your iPod won't show up in the firmware updater.
1. Navigate to /System/Library/Extensions/
2. Drag the "iPodDriver.kext" file to the Trash.
3. Enter an administrator account name and password when prompted.
4. Click OK.

Or do it in the Terminal (Mac OS X only)
1. Open Terminal (/Applications/Utilities).
2. Type: sudo rm -R /System/Library/Extensions/iPodDriver.kext
3. Press Return.
4. Enter the administrator account password when prompted.
5. Quit Terminal.

11) Try hooking your iPod up to another computer. If you see the same problem, then you know the issue is definitely with your iPod and not your computer. If you are able to get a stable iPod connection with another computer, then try to erase and restore your iPod. If possible, you may want to backup your files or rip all the music off first before you wipe your iPod.

12) Can you start up off a CD and then try to erase the iPod? Put in a disk repair CD like Disk Warrior or an operating software install CD like OS X, then hold down the "c" key and restart (Mac only).

1. Put the OS X CD in the computer, then restart while holding down the "c" key.
2. DONT INSTALL THE OS AGAIN. select Disk Utility from under the Apple menu
3. Plug the iPod into your computer
4. Run the Disk Utility on the iPod

Also, windows users should run scandisk and defrag every one to three months.

13) Is your cable bad or not plugged in all the way?

Make sure that you are using the cable that came with your iPod. Some third-party cables may not jive properly with your iPod.
Make sure the cable is completely plugged in.
Borrow an iPod cable from a friend.

14) Oh no, none of the above worked? If none of these suggestions helped, you may have a hardware problem. Check out VIP Repair Service for more information and how to get it fixed.

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