ipod corruption, big problem

[jmason]

i was running, and all of a sudden my ipod froze, and then a little ipod with a face with x's for eyes popped up and said "ipod corrupted, please restore your settings" which i would do, of course, but when i plug it into my computer it doesn't even register, and it flashes that it has very low battery, which is impossible, because i just charged it before it died. if anyone knows a fool proof way to restore, help!!! or if there is any way to get my ipod back without having to restore, because i don't have a back up of my music, that would be even better. thank you!

ps- i've tried all the frozen ipod stuff, reinstalling itunes, etc.

[letussewourpants]

What iPod is it? Which icons showed up? http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93936

[007]

i was running, and all of a sudden my ipod froze, and then a little ipod with a face with x's for eyes popped up and said "ipod corrupted, please restore your settings" which i would do, of course, but when i plug it into my computer it doesn't even register, and it flashes that it has very low battery, which is impossible, because i just charged it before it died. if anyone knows a fool proof way to restore, help!!! or if there is any way to get my ipod back without having to restore, because i don't have a back up of my music, that would be even better. thank you!

ps- i've tried all the frozen ipod stuff, reinstalling itunes, etc.

One way to do this is to let the ipod run out of battery and then use a wall charger and charge it for about two hours and then use a program called Copytrans http://www.copytrans.net/ to backup the ipod.

Let me know if you run into any problems.

[jmason]

it shows the sad ipod icon and the restore your ipod text.

[jmason]

i tried to charge my ipod for 2 hours, and i went to use the program, and my ipod would not even show up in the "chose ipod" dock selection, and i read everything and i just can't figure it out! my ipod just won't show up on my computer at all!

[letussewourpants]

Hey JMASON

If you can't get it fixed, you would have to consider turning it into Apple to get it serviced. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61771

iPod displays a sad iPod icon
Issue or symptom

iPod displays a sad iPod icon

and
iPod is not recognized in iTunes
iPod is not recognized in My Computer (Windows) or iPod not recognized in Finder (Mac OS X)
Products affected
Any iPod with an LCD display

Solution

In most cases, the sad iPod icon indicates a hardware issue. If you are able to force iPod into Disk Mode, then it may not be a hardware issue, and you should try to restore your iPod with the latest software.

If you cannot force your iPod into disk mode and restore it, then your iPod is in need of service. Set up an iPod Service Request or make a reservation at the Genius Bar before visiting your local Apple Retail Store. To make a reservation go to www.apple.com/retail, choose an Apple Store location, then click on the "Make a reservation" link.

Replacement takes around 1 week!

There is one other solution, but I would advise caution. Hit your iPod hard or drop it on the floor. Careful though, you don't want to crack your screen! Maybe hit it against your hands (sort of the way people hit cigarette boxes).

I think the hard drive cable gets loose. If you know what that cable is, you can reconnect that. Hitting it hard or dropping it supposedly puts the cable back in place. If it isn't the hard drive cable, then it might be a wire that needs to be resoldered, and hitting it would be a temporary solution. If it is a loose wire, then hitting it would make a connection until it gets loose again (then you're stuck with a broken iPod again).

If just hitting it on your hand a couple of times doesn't work, the next best thing to do is go to that link Apple has and get your iPod serviced.

Let me know what you decide to do and if it works. Maybe other people are having the same problems or will encounter it, and could come back to this thread as a solution.