Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPod iTunes doesn't like my iPod

H

Hirsty

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 18, 2007
10
0
When I plug my iPod (2nd generation 40GB) into my iBook and open up iTunes the whole thing freezes. The multi-coloured wheel appears and it displays the iPod update screen. After some conciderable time a box appears stating that my iPod is being used by a different user. I can't force quit iTunes as it still believes that my iPod is connected.

I have tried logging out from my username, restarting the iBook, switching the whole thing off, running the batteries down, reloading iTunes, and swearing at it but to no avail.

The reasons it probably happened are that my girlfriend plug in her Nano on my user name, then unplugged it without ejecting. She also unplugged my iPod without ejecting after this.

Any suggestions on how to fix this would be apreciated.
 
iMeowbot

iMeowbot

macrumors G3
Aug 30, 2003
8,634
0
You can give this a shot. With iTunes not running, hold down the option key (keep it held down until it mounts) and plug in the iPod. This should let the Finder mount it, without iTunes starting up. After you see it in the Finder, then try launching iTunes. With luck, that will be enough to un-confuse iTunes.
 
H

Hirsty

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 18, 2007
10
0
thank you, I shall give it a try tonight.

Sorry for sounding stupid though, what does 'mount' mean and how will I recognise it when it happens?
 
H

Hirsty

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 18, 2007
10
0
Again thank you.

Shall try it tonight & report back tomorrow.
 
H

Hirsty

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 18, 2007
10
0
Still no joy!

It now states "The iPod is in use by another user on this computer."
 
H

Hirsty

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 18, 2007
10
0
Hello everyone, thought I'd shift this back up to the front again.
 
H

Hirsty

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 18, 2007
10
0
Just thought I'd bring this around one last time before I have to spend £70/$139 minimum mailing this to a Mac repair specialist (there are no repair shops in Scotland for Apple)
 
iMeowbot

iMeowbot

macrumors G3
Aug 30, 2003
8,634
0
Okay, here are some last-ditch things to try before you send in your toys.

=-=-=-=

In Library/Preferences under your home folder, trash com.apple.iTunes.plist, com.apple.iTunesHelper.plist, and com.apple.iTunes.(lotsanumbers).plist if they exist, log out and back in. This will leave your library intact, but it will set lots of other iTunes settings back to their defaults (just remember for the next time you load up a new CD or anything like that).

=-=-=-=

If that fails, you can try forcing the iPod to forget its identity. If there are any files on your iPod that aren't also in your iTunes library, first fish them out with something like Senuti, or manually copying from Terminal, whichever you're most comfortable using.

Start up Disk Utility.

Manually put the iPod into disk mode as described here, and plug it in, with the option key iTunes bypass thing. Click on the iPod's icon in Disk Utility and erase. Leave the name as Untitled, or snything that isn't your iPod's normal name.

Elect the iPod. When it says Ok to disconnect, reset it and let it start up in normal iPod mode (the scary flashing folder icon is expected at this point). when you again plug it in, iTunes should believe that it's looking at a brand new iPod, you'll want to pick Restore from iTunes.
 
H

Hirsty

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 18, 2007
10
0
iMeowbot said:
Okay, here are some last-ditch things to try before you send in your toys.

=-=-=-=

In Library/Preferences under your home folder, trash com.apple.iTunes.plist, com.apple.iTunesHelper.plist, and com.apple.iTunes.(lotsanumbers).plist if they exist, log out and back in. This will leave your library intact, but it will set lots of other iTunes settings back to their defaults (just remember for the next time you load up a new CD or anything like that).

=-=-=-=

If that fails, you can try forcing the iPod to forget its identity. If there are any files on your iPod that aren't also in your iTunes library, first fish them out with something like Senuti, or manually copying from Terminal, whichever you're most comfortable using.

Start up Disk Utility.

Manually put the iPod into disk mode as described here, and plug it in, with the option key iTunes bypass thing. Click on the iPod's icon in Disk Utility and erase. Leave the name as Untitled, or snything that isn't your iPod's normal name.

Elect the iPod. When it says Ok to disconnect, reset it and let it start up in normal iPod mode (the scary flashing folder icon is expected at this point). when you again plug it in, iTunes should believe that it's looking at a brand new iPod, you'll want to pick Restore from iTunes.
Click to expand...


Thanks iMeowbot.

I had a flash of inspiration at 3am last night. I took all none iTunes files off the iPod and then created a new user. I opened up iTunes on this new user wiping the iPod and then plugged it back into my normal user. Hey presto, job's a good 'un, and all that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom