15.2 iPod Hardware Problems

If your iPod syncs up fine to the computer and only seems to misbehave when you're out trying to listen to your Rockabilly Workout playlist at the gym, the problems could lie within the iPod itself.

15.2.1 The iPod Keeps Freezing Up

Inside the iPod spins a busy hard drive, just like the one inside a desktop computer. Hard drives have been known to freeze, crash, and lock up when you least expect it, and the iPod's is no different.

Rebooting (resetting) usually thaws a freeze, so grab the iPod and reset it as described on Section 15.1.1. But if a simple reset doesn't solve the problem, read on.

15.2.1.1 Restoring the iPod software

If the iPod still freezes up again after you reset it, restoring its software may help smooth things out; see Section 15.8.1.

15.2.2 The iPod Won't Turn On or Wake Up from Sleep

Some days you just don't want to get out of bed. In its own way, the iPod has days like that, too. If you're pushing its buttons and nothing's happening, run through this troubleshooting checklist:

• Make sure the HOLD switch isn't on. Yes, this is obvious, but it's surprisingly easy to overlook in a panic. If it's on, slide it so that the orange band doesn't show, and then try to turn on the iPod again.

• Check your battery charge. Even if you're sure you recently charged it up, your iPod could have gotten bumped inside a backpack or purse and run itself down. The iPod can't turn on if the battery doesn't have enough juice . You may even see a flash of the Low Battery icon, or a message. Plug the iPod into the computer or AC adapter to get some power flowing , wait a few minutes, and then try to turn it on while it's recharging.

• Reset the iPod . See Section 15.1.1.

15.2.3 The iPod Won't Reset

If the iPod doesn't respond to any amount of poking and prodding, and you can't even reset it, you may have to take more drastic measures.

First, unplug it from power and put it away for at least 24 hours to let the battery's power drain. Once the iPod has had its little time-out, reconnect it to the AC adapter (or your computer) so it can draw power, and then try to reset it again.

Also make sure the iPod is actually getting power when you plug it in. The AC adapter that came with the iPod could be plugged into a dead power outlet, or a turned-off power strip could be at fault. Look for the charging-battery icon to confirm that your iPod's power cell is getting filled up.

NOTE

The iPod's battery won't charge when connected to a computer in Sleep mode. Make sure the computer is up and running.

If you charge the iPod via its FireWire cable, note that a bent or damaged FireWire cable may fail to deliver power to the iPod. Make sure you're using the FireWire cable that came with the iPod, too, because a different cord may not work properly. Finally, try plugging the iPod's FireWire cable into a different port (most modern Macs and FireWire add-in cards have two).

NOTE

Check the FireWire port on the iPod to make sure it's free from anything that might block some of the connector pins. Some iPod models have a small plastic cover for the FireWire port to help prevent these situations, but early iPods have exposed ports. (The FireWire port is on the bottom of the 2003 and later iPods.)

If you've managed to revive the iPod with any of the above steps, updating or restoring its software may help prevent this situation from happening again. See Section 15.8 for the restore instructions.

Alas, if none of these methods revive the iPod, your next step should be having Apple look at it (see Section 15.9..2).

NOTE

If you're having problems getting any of your iPod or other FireWire devices to show up on the Mac, a little time out may help matters. Unplug all the FireWire devices and then shut down the Mac. Unplug the power cord from the wall for a few minutes. Then plug it back in, start it back up, and after it boots up all the way, try plugging in the iPod again.

15.2.4 Weird Icons When iPod Boots Up

If you turn on the iPod one day and see odd icons instead of the familiar menus , the iPod may be trying to tell you something. Here are explanations for the typical icons you may see (Figure 15-3).

Figure 15-3. May you never see these icons except right here in this book. They let you know that your iPod is concerned for its own health.

15.2.4.1 Folder icon with exclamation point

Longtime Mac fans may remember the dreaded Disk Icon With Flashing Question Mark, which indicates a corrupted System Folder or a hard drive problem. This icon on an iPod could have similar meanings. Among the possible causes of this icon:

• You have the wrong version of iPod software. If you inadvertently installed a version of the iPod software that's earlier than the software it came with, download and install the latest version (Section 15.8).

• The battery is too low. Plug your iPod into its AC adapter or a powered FireWire cable to see if juicing it up makes the icon go away.

• The iPod's hard drive was formatted incorrectly. If you were just tinkering and decided to wipe the iPod's drive and reformat it with your favorite Mac or Windows disk utility instead of the iPod Software Updater, the iPod might have a hissy fit. Download and use the Restore option to install the latest version of the iPod Update software on your iPod.

If none of the above seems to mirror your situation, try resetting the iPod to see if the folder icon goes away. If not, it may be time to contact Apple or the holder of your extended warranty about repairs .

15.2.4.2 Apple logo and iPod name won't go away

If you turn on your 'Pod and see only the Apple logo (Figure 15-3, middle), and it seems like your poor machine is stuck in a continuous loop of restarts, try one of the following steps:

• Plug the iPod into your computer's powered FireWire port, if you have one. (If it's an iPod Mini, you can plug it into your computer's USB 2.0 port instead.) Then reset the iPod as described on Section 15.1.1.

• Go into forced FireWire mode, as described on Section 15.1.3. As soon as you see the Apple logo, press and hold the and buttons until you see the "Do Not Disconnect" message on the iPod's screen. (In early versions of the iPod software, you see the Y-shaped FireWire icon instead.)

• Download and use the Restore option to install the latest version of the iPod Update software on your iPod. Remember, doing a restore wipes the iPod's drive; you'll have to copy all of your songs, contacts, and other data back to it.

• If your iPod is so trashed that it never even displays the "Do Not Disconnect" message, try the first two steps above again to see if you can get to the point where you can restore the iPod software.

If nothing works, contact Apple (Section 15.9..2) to inquire about repair options.

15.2.4.3 Hard disk icon with magnifying glass

If you see the disk-scan icon shown at right in Figure 15-3, the iPod suspects trouble with its own hard drive. See Section 15.1.1.

15.2.5 Battery Life Issues

Since the iPod's introduction, the subject of battery life has consistently lit up online forums and message boards around the Internet. For one, owners of the 2003 iPods were dismayed to see that these new models only had a maximum battery life of eight hours.

15.2.5.1 Excessive Clock appetite

Even with the 10 hours of battery time promised on the 2001 and 2002 iPods, owners found that they weren't even getting that much. Some iPodders also noticed that the battery charge seemed to run down far more quickly after Apple introduced the Clock feature in version 1.2 of the iPod software.

Many tech-savvy iPod owners concluded that the clock and the alarms used with the Calendar were gulping down juice unnecessarily. People who didn't care about the new organizer functions, and just wanted to play music for as long as possible between charges, fought back by refusing to set the iPod's clockor even reverted to the pre-Clock version 1.1 of the iPod software that they kept around.

Update 1.2.6 of the iPod software in March 2003 was specifically designed to address battery problems; Apple recommends installing it (or whatever the current version is; see Section 15.8) on all iPod models. A battery that still refuses to maintain a charge especially with normal usagemay have internal problems that an Apple repair technician should take care of.

15.2.5.2 Charging the battery

Remember how you were taught that certain kinds of batteries (in laptops and camcorders, say) worked better if you occasionally fully drained and then recharged them? Forget it. You want to keep the iPod's lithiumion battery charged always, or else you'll lose your clock, date, and other settings.

Many dedicated iPod People prefer to charge the player only when the AC adapter is connected. That's because connecting the player to a computer makes its hard drive spin, which uses up the battery juice faster.

15.2.5.3 Battery life

Apple has posted various recommendations on its Web site for treating the iPod battery to help ensure a long life, including:

• Don't expose the iPod to extreme hot or cold temperature ranges. (In other words, don't leave it in a hot, parked car, and don't expect it to operate on Mt. Everest.)

• Take the iPod out of any heat-trapping cases or covers when you charge it.

• Put the iPod to sleep to conserve battery power. (Press the button until the iPod display goes blank and the iPod settles into slumber.)

• Even when you're not using the iPod, charge the battery every 14 to 18 days to keep it powered even while it's sleeping. (It still needs power in sleep mode.)

• When you see the Low Battery icon or message, plug the iPod into the computer or an electrical outlet with the AC adapter. The iPod battery indicator shows roughly how much charge is left in the battery.

NOTE

The Battery Indicator icon in the upper-right corner of the iPod screen is an approximation of the battery's charge, not the ultimate authority. It may even tell you that you still have power when the battery has run down, although recent iPod software updates were designed to help with this problem.

15.2.5.4 Replacing the battery

The iPod uses a rechargeable lithiumion battery. It's rated to last for 500 chargings. If you use and charge your iPod daily, you'll get two or three years out of it; if you use it more moderately, you're looking at nine or ten years . Since the iPod has only been around since 2001, however, there are no definitive long- term case studies, and some batteries give out sooner than others.

That answer wasn't good enough for two brothers who, following a less-than - satisfying adventure in Apple tech support in the fall of 2003, spray- painted a stenciled slogan , "iPod's unreplaceable battery lasts only 18 months" across iPod posters all over Manhattan, and then released a Web movie documenting their revenge .

It wasn't exactly accurateyou'd have to be a serious ten- hour -a-day iPodaholic to burn out the battery in 18 months, and most original 2001 iPod batteries are still going strong. Still, the incident caused panic among prospective and current iPod owners. At just about the same time, Apple introduced the $99 battery-replacement program described on Section 15.9. (Coincidence? You decide.)

If your iPod battery clearly isn't retaining its charge, and you've taken all of the other steps described here, and it's out of warranty, you can find replacement batteries for sale on the Web. Shop around at http://www.ipodbattery.com, http://www.pdasmart.com, http://www.smalldog.com, or http://www.ipodresq.com for parts and service.

Of course, installing them voids the warranty (if indeed your iPod is still under warranty at all). If it's still covered, or if the thought of opening your iPod gives you the wiggins, let Apple's repair crew take care of it instead.

NOTE

The iPod's battery has become such a hot topic that a helpful fan created a Web sitehttp://www.ipodbatteryfaq.comspecifically to collect all the latest news and technical documentation on the portentous power cell.

15.2.6 The Backlight Turns on by Itself at Midnight

If you have at least version 1.2 of the iPod software, then you have the Clock feature. When the Clock strikes midnight, it makes an internal adjustment that may pop the white backlight on for a second. This flash doesn't consume much power, but it can be annoying. Turning off the backlight stops the midnight flashing (choose Settings Backlight timer Off).

15.2.7 That Little Plastic Flap Came off the FireWire Port

If the FireWire port cover popped off your 2002 iPod but isn't torn, you might be able to reattach it. Position the end of the plastic tab over the slot for the cover flap and push down firmly.

If your port cover is torn or damaged, contact Apple's repair service about getting a replacement.

The 2003 iPods come with a thin plastic cap to snap into the port on the bottom of the player, plus an extra in case you lose the first one.

15.2.8 The Touchwheel is Out of Control

In 2002, Apple replaced the iPod's turnable scroll wheel with a nonmoving "touchwheel" that works like a laptop trackpad. The move to the touchwheel made sense; the moving wheels were so easily tripped up by dirt or sand, using the iPod at the beach was no day at the beach . (The iPod Mini's "click wheel" kept the touchy-feely scrolling action but moved the buttons underneath. You chunk down on the edge of the wheel when you want to hit one of the buttons.)

But even with no moving parts, the touchwheel can be prone to jumpy behavior. It works by translating the electrical charge from your finger into movement on the menu screen. The wheel is very sensitive, and it's not uncommon to hear the iPod jump ahead or skip a song if you accidentally brush it when putting it back in your pocket.

Other factors that could confuse the touchwheel and make it behave erratically include:

• Using the touchwheel right after applying lotion or moisturizer to your hands.

• Using more than one finger on the touchwheel, or resting another finger near it that might confuse its sensors.

• Using pencil erasers or pen caps instead of your finger.

• Getting moisture on the touchwheel from a humid environment or damp hands. (If that happens, wipe off both the wheel and the finger with a soft dry cloth or tissue .)

• Wearing heavy jewelry like bracelets or rings, which may also throw off the touchwheel. If your wheel is acting wacky, try taking off your ring or charm bracelet.

  The wheel and all the buttons on the front of the 2003 iPod buttons are made of touch-sensitive nonmoving parts. If you've upgraded from a first- or second-generation iPod, it may take a few days to get the feel for the new iPod. Even the Select button is touch-sensitive, so even a light finger brush across it while scrolling can dump you into a menu you weren't intending to visit.

NOTE

The touchwheel works best when you use strong, deliberate strokes. Instead of a running-hamster approachmaking short little movements all in the same placeslide your fingertip all the way around it.

15.2.9 Some Idiot Set the iPod Menus to Korean

Changing the iPod's operating system language to an unfamiliar alphabet is an obvious trick used by jealous co-workers and older brothers. Fortunately, you have a couple ways to get the iPod back to English.

One quick way is to click the Menu button until you get back to the iPod's main menu screen. You'll see "iPod" in English at the top, and five lines of text in whatever language your wisenheimer pal picked out for you.

1. Scroll down to the fourth line.

   If you can't read Korean, you've actually highlighted what would have been the Settings menu.

2. Select this item. Scroll to the end of the list to the words, "Reset All Settings," which are conveniently in English.

   Here, you can make a decision.

   Option 1: The third menu item from the bottom of the list (two up from Reset All Settings) is the Language setting. Click there to get to the list of languages, then scroll all the way to the top to get back to English (or whatever language you were using before this incident).

   Option 2: If you're tired of your iPod settings anyway, you can wipe them out and start over. Press the Select button on Reset All Settings. You now come to a screen that gives you a choice: Cancel or Reset.

3. Scroll to and choose Reset (also in English) to get back to the Language menu, where you can select "English" for the iPod.

15.2.10 Broken Screen Glass

A smashed and broken iPod is a sad sight indeed. Wrap it up gently and contact Apple to inquire about the repair procedure. A list of resources appears at the end of this chapter.