Mac won't recgonize iPod

A Few Things...

Here's a few suggestions. But first, a question: did you use it with a PC previously? If so, there may be a problem with the disk format, which you can, of course, fix. On to the suggestions:

1. Restart your computer and try again.

2. Go into Applications:Utilitiesisk Utility, and see if the iPod shows up there. Perhaps you will see some sort of hard drive or fire wire disk there.

3. Perform a hard reset (or two). Look in your iPod's manual regarding how to do this.

Make sure you have your music backed up before you start tinkering with your iPod (i.e., don't do any of these things if your iPod hold all of your music and your hard drive holds none, but I highly doubt you are in such a situation).

Mike LaRiviere

 

Sounds to me like a logic board failure. Call apple care or take it to a authorized service center.

 

First, did you add any RAM to the machine? If so, what brand?

Do a few things:

1. Run Apple Hardware Diagnostics, which came on one of your install discs, and/or Micromat TechTools.

2. Take out the extra RAM stick (if there is one) and see if the problem is solved.

3. Reinstall the OS using your system restore discs. You can do this without destroying your data; I believe the appropriate option is "archive and install," which will keep your programs and files intact.

I had the same problem as you, and it turned out to be poor-quality RAM. I hope you are able to solve your problem quickly.

Mike LaRiviere

 

Pretty quick to jump to the worst case.

Let's start simple. Create another user account and see if the iPod will work well in it. If it does, then you've narrowed the problem down to something in your account. No need to reinstall the OS or anything like that. If it still doesn't work, then do the Hardware Diagnostics, as suggested and remove 3rd party RAM, as suggested.

There are some "just for the hell of it" things you can try with the iPod. You've probably already reset it. You can also "restore" it, which basically reformats it. Most likely it's not a problem with the iPod but you have to rule it out as a cause.

Quick longshot--do you have an iSight? iSights can cause problems with iPods. If you do have one, unplug it and try the iPod.