iPod iPod 6th not recognised by iTunes

[Tacticus]

Hi, I am having a problem with my iPod 6th generation ...... when I connect it to my MacBook Pro iTunes does not recognise that it is connected. The MBP is up to date with software & iTunes. An older iPod is successfully recognised. I have tried resets etc and also iPod doesn't seem to start up from the power button and unable to charge from mains. Is it the battery ? Easy to replace ?

 

[ApfelKuchen]

"Not recognized by iTunes" doesn't seem to be the issue. Based on the other info you provided, that's just a symptom of the larger issue: iPod doesn't work at all.

Have you referred to this Apple Support document http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3474 ?

Have you tried a reset while connected to power?

How long have you charged it? Have you tried a different cable?

Should you embark on a battery replacement on the assumption that it is the problem? Perhaps there's a high probability of being right, but it's not certain.

Apple (and presumably other repair shops) will do a battery replacement. The US price from Apple is $59. A full repair is $65-$75, so if it turns out the battery is not the cause, you're not out a whole lot more money to get a working iPod back in your hands.

Can you replace the battery yourself? I suggest you checkout iFixit. While possible, it's not something for the inexperienced. You'll need a heat gun to open the case, and when you finally get to the battery, it's soldered.

 

[BrettApple]

Soo, is the iPod working at all? And what power button?
You can easily get a battery for the classic for about $10 and replace it yourself. But even with the battery disconnected, the iPod should still boot up and display an icon on the screen.

Many times its the dock connector rather than anything else. Have you inspected it and made sure it is clean with no bent pins?

 

[Tacticus]

Thanks for your replies, I have spent (a while) more on this and discovered that iTunes (and my MBP) only recognise the iPod when I put it in disc mode at which point I can sync etc. But when I eject it I can still not use it...... I have to reset it to exit disc mode and then it seems to go into a "frozen" mode. The frustrating thing is it's not consistent what is shown on the screen, sometimes "Connected eject etc", sometimes the home screen with icons but frozen, sometimes an empty home screen. So I think in response to your suggestions the battery, pin connection etc are ok but still unusable. The model is a 6th generation nano. Any ideas anybody ? Cheers.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Thanks for your replies, I have spent (a while) more on this and discovered that iTunes (and my MBP) only recognise the iPod when I put it in disc mode at which point I can sync etc. But when I eject it I can still not use it...... I have to reset it to exit disc mode and then it seems to go into a "frozen" mode. The frustrating thing is it's not consistent what is shown on the screen, sometimes "Connected eject etc", sometimes the home screen with icons but frozen, sometimes an empty home screen. So I think in response to your suggestions the battery, pin connection etc are ok but still unusable. The model is a 6th generation nano. Any ideas anybody ? Cheers.

You've established that the iPod isn't dead, so it probably isn't the battery. It's behaving in an uncharacteristic manner, which suggests you have a software/firmware issue with the iPod. If so, the standard approach is a restore.

Have you tried restoring the iPod? Or should I say, is Restore an available option when it is recognized by iTunes (when you put it in disk mode)? http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1339

Do you have access to another computer with iTunes on it? That can help establish whether it's a computer-related or iPod-related issue.

I also trust that both iTunes and your Mac OS are up to date?

 

[Tacticus]

Yes I have updated my iTunes and Mac OS and done a restore. I have been through all the diagnostic tests too and all Pass or OK. Thanks for your help anyway.