iPod Why does my iPod have a sad face picture on it?

[mznan5]

Hey all,

I bought my ipod photo last year when I had a windows pc laptop and it was formatted for windows. Then late last year I got an ibook g4 and started using my ipod on the mac. I was able to use my ipod on the mac even though it was windows formatted. But these past three weeks, the ipod has been freezing a lot. And now its showing the ipod sad face and telling me to go to the apple website. I went on the ipod site and they said to restore it...the thing is I'm following all their instructions but when it comes to the update/restore screen on ipod updater application it doesn't read the ipod even though its plugged in to the computer. My questions:

1) Is the ipod updater not recognizing the ipod because the ipod is windows formatted?

2) If so, do i have to update the the ipod on the windows computer it was formatted on?

3) Is this happening because I'm using a windows-formatted ipod on a mac and/or the ipod software hasn't been updated since last year?

4) Is it better for me to format the ipod for Mac. If so, how do I do this?

Please help! I'm new to Mac and i'm desperate to get my ipod working again!

Thanks a lot!

M.Z.

 

[Mord]

unhappy face means dead ipod, the HD has probably failed, if you lived in the uk i'd offer to buy the thing from you as i have a spare HD from my 3rd gen which the headphone socket has broken.

 

[Sutekidane]

Usually the sad face indicates a hardware error or a dead HD. there or other icons for improper formatting/software error.

 

[mznan5]

Does this mean the damage can not be repaired? Even if I restore it?

 

[redAPPLE]

you could always try resetting the iPod. if it does not help, then i would suggest a proper burial for the iPod.

 

[Mord]

reset it and see if you can format it in disk utility.

if it truely is hosed (the HD) sell it on ebay, your likely to get like 60-80 bucks if your lucky.

 

[hqz]

It might be fix-able!

I myself got the sad face on a 2nd gen ipod after dropping it. I thought it was hopeless, but did a Google search and found this:

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY---Fix-Broken-iPod!/

All you gotta do is open up the ipod with a screwdriver and place a business card on the foam. I did this, and viola, my ipod was alive again. I couldn't believe it, but it's been running without a problem for over a year since then.

So, if you were thinking burial, give this a try first!