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Failed Geek Needs Help

19:57 / 09.11.05

A tragedy has occurred in the House of Xoc. My laptop, the most recent model of iBook, decided last night to stop speaking to the iPod. Everything else in the AppleMac garden is lovely, only this one problem has sprung up.

I update my podcasts every evening when I get in from work and plug in the iPod so I have fresh America Now and Melvyn Bragg for long train journeys at work. But now no iPod icon appears when I plug her in and the computer says no iPod is connected.

The iPod gives the usual Do Not Disconnect message but since the computer ignores it, no updating occurs. I have tried switching both off and on. Beyond that, we delve into the realms of Great & Mysterious Geekdom and I am too stupid to know those secrets. Plus I cannot find the instruction manual that came with it, having had a trouble-free time with computer and iPod both until now and having moved house recently being my excuses.

Is there any really obvious thing that any sensible person would do that you, nimble thinkers of great brane and much resource, can suggest? Don't assume that anything is too obvious and that I would have already thought of it. I am teh THICKO!!1! in technological matters.

I am now going to try drinking a bottle of wine because that might help. Well, it won't but I'll feel better.

20:00 / 09.11.05

(It's a big thing for Xoc to ask for help. Help him. Please.)

ONLY NICE THINGS

20:50 / 09.11.05

Hmmm. Have you downloaded a new version of iTunes, maybe? It sounds like your settings may have restored to default. Try going to iTunes - preferences - iPod and making sure that it's set to sync automatically?

20:55 / 09.11.05

It is actually *starting* iTunes when you plug it in, right?

20:57 / 09.11.05

Have you reset your iPod? - toggle the hold switch on and off and then hold the menu button and the select button (the circular button in the middle) down for 6-10 seconds

You'll know if you've reset your ipod because a little apple log will appear on the screen as the ipod reboots - it should then communicate with your computer again...

Keith, like a scientist

20:57 / 09.11.05

I would, in this order:

1. Apple > Software Update - Install all iTunes/iPod related updates.

2. Restart computer.

3. Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility > Repair Permissions

4. Hook it up and see what happens.

If this doesn't work, I would potentially look into (I'd google this first) trashing your iTunes and/or iPod preferences. Which would be in here: HD > Users > "Name" > Library > Preferences, and are proceeded by 'com.apple.-" - This will likely cause you some issues in terms of setting your stuff up again.

20:59 / 09.11.05

Yes, what Sleaze said. I have had this same thing happen to my iPod a few times and every time resetting it has solved the problem. Hope it works for you too!!

21:00 / 09.11.05

Have you reset your iPod? - toggle the hold switch on and off and then hold the menu button and the select button (the circular button in the middle) down for 6-10 seconds

You'll know if you've reset your ipod because a little apple log will appear on the screen as the ipod reboots - it should then communicate with your computer again...

21:25 / 09.11.05

Thank you, thank you, but no joy so far!

I've tried plugging it into the big mac too and it doesn't recognise the iPod either. I plugged my iPod into the dock attached to speakers and it works fine playing music on those.

Have tried resetting it several times now, because I have discovered that simple procedure can do magic. But it hasn't worked yet. But such is my faith that it might work that I shall try that again soon as I stop typing.

Did all the things tyou suggested, Keith,. except that I got through >application >utilities > disc utilities > but there was no repair permissions option.

Thank you all for your patient assistance. Ganesh wants me to take it to the genius bar in the Apple Store but for reasons of social awkwardness, I would rather be trapped in a fridge with Sypha Nadon. I fear it may come to that though...

I did find a manual online but it didn't suggest much beyond the toggling and resetting. Maybe if I sacrifice one of the cats to Eris...

21:32 / 09.11.05

Call the Apple people before you go to the Genius bar. Maybe they will be able to fix it for you over the phone. And don't worry!! Even if it's really fucked, as long as you have applecare they'll give you a brand new one!!

21:35 / 09.11.05

if you do go the genius bar route be sure to book an appointment - You can do this online, but only at 10 AM for appointments later that day. After 10 AM all the slots on the genuis bar shedule for that day are allocated - you can still turn up and wait around for on the off chance that someone won't turn up, but this could take forever...

21:40 / 09.11.05

1. Plug iPod in

2. Load iTunes

3. Right-click or control-click on the iPod in the left hand bar on iTunes so you get a little popup menu. Select "update" there.

21:59 / 09.11.05

I'm probably missing saomething very obvious in your good counsel there, fridge, but there's no iPod in the left hand bar on iTunes to click on. There used to be but it stopped showing up when the computer started sulking with the iPod.

Yes, I shall give over several hours of my life to phoning the helpline, Cherie. It will be less humiliating than genuflecting before a twenty four year old with bad hair and worse diction in the genius bar. I'm sure the helpful helpers are going to ask me for a sceret password or something and I will not know it. But, hey, I can be Field Marshall Rommel when I have to be and TAKE NO SHIT FROM NOBODY!

Maybe I should take some speed first. Then I'd be realllly scary.

22:08 / 09.11.05

Do you get an icon appearing on the desktop when you plug the iPod in?

22:13 / 09.11.05

No, icon doesn't show on desktop and no indication on iTunes either. Same with the other computer. iTunes also doesn't start up automatically when I plus the iPod in which I'm sure it used to.

22:16 / 09.11.05

Do you have another cable by any chance? It could just be that the cable is fucked. That's one of the first things they'll try.

The Genius Bar is not that bad but they do make you wait.

22:22 / 09.11.05

Yup, tried both cables. Fortunately G and I have the same gear oretty much, so two of everything. I have now worked out at least that the problem lies with the iPod not doing whatever it needs to do to talk to the computer. Knowing how to fix that is not my forte. My group analytsis skills fail dismally with things made of plastic and wires.

22:25 / 09.11.05

Yeah, that sounds like it's the iPod's fault. You could try connecting something to the same port that you've tried to connect the iPod to, to see whether it's that port or not, but I'm guessing it's the iPod.

Sorry, not a lot to do there apart from take it to get fixed.

Keith, like a scientist

22:35 / 09.11.05

Did all the things tyou suggested, Keith,. except that I got through >application >utilities > disc utilities > but there was no repair permissions option.

Sorry, I should have explained the Disk Utility more. When you start it up, there is a window on the left hand side, which will likely have two things. The top is the entire Hard Drive. Below that and to the side of it is basically the "computer," all that stuff that is installed on the HD. Click that second one (possibly called "Macintosh HD"), and the right side of the window will give you more info. 3 tabs will appear. Click "First Aid" and then there will be Verify and Repair Permissions. Do the Repair Permissions one.

This sorts out all the pathways in the OS, makes sure they are all working in the most direct and efficient way. OSX is based on Unix and Unix is heavily dependent on the file pathways. Sometimes the OS gets confused and the file pathways get out of sorts.

Every OSX user should run Repair Permissions once a month or so (more if you use it for 8-10 hours a day).

22:35 / 09.11.05

I have reset Missus Finch's ipod using the method (I quoted from somewhere or other), below.
Hope it helps!
Ronald

"Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, then turn it off again.)

Press and hold the Menu and Select buttons until the Apple logo appears, about 6 to 10 seconds. You may need to repeat this step.
Tip: If you are having difficulty resetting your iPod, set it on a flat surface. Make sure the finger pressing the Select button is not touching any part of the click wheel. Also make sure that you are pressing the Menu button toward the outside of the click wheel, and not near the center.

If the above steps did not work, try connecting iPod to a power adapter and plug the power adapter into an electrical outlet, or connect iPod to your computer. Make sure the computer is turned on and isn't set to go to sleep."

22:41 / 09.11.05

Forgot to say - you will lose any data stored on the ipod though...

22:54 / 09.11.05

I have tried to do all the things you have all kindly suggested but have decided to stop thinking about it until I feel emotionally robust enough to cope with helplines and genius bars and shit. Thank you.

Does make me feel like I need to trap sleazenation in a cupboard so he's permanently on hand for these tech crises.

19:01 / 10.11.05

I think the problem might be with the wine.

Have you tried a different vintage?

19:23 / 10.11.05

Vintage shouldn't really be a problem with wine. If it doesn't taste right, what you do is put the cork back in the bottle, wait 5 seconds, and then take it out again. Your wine should then have an excellent flavour.

08:13 / 29.11.05

WAAAAH!! My iPod won't talk to me! I keep getting the apple logo followed by a folder with an exclamation point. Does anyone know what this means.

I don't know how I will live as I truly am addicted..

08:25 / 29.11.05

I suppose I should thank this thread on Xoc's behalf: your suggestions not only solved his iPod's communication problem but made it slimmer, with a bigger screen...

08:35 / 29.11.05

has it also developed the ability to play video ?

11:20 / 29.11.05

Oooh yes I want one of those too. But for now I will settle simply for my beloved iPod working again..

19:49 / 29.11.05

It's so lovely. The old one will be getting serviced and handed on to my niece, because her Shuffle is fucked.

20:03 / 29.11.05

where are you getting it serviced?

20:13 / 29.11.05

Big Al's Gay Animal Sanctuary.

20:14 / 29.11.05

Big Al's Gay Animal Sanctuary.

20:23 / 29.11.05

Getting it serviced twice, obviously. Just to be sure. Once by lusty Ed Grundy and once by Big Gay Al himself.