I've used the diag mode on a many iPod to fix them. Most people don't know about it until they need to know it.
 

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I had forgotten about this. My 4G 20GB iPod recently stopped being recognized by Windows and iTunes. It would lock up both. I got the bad folder deal and all. Also got the screen referring me to the support site. There is a HUGE thread over there regarding iPods that not longer work (HDD failure they call it). I called customer support and without having to pay (my iPod was 2 months out of warranty) was told that I was basically SOL. I either could send it to them and pay $250+ bucks for them to fix or - and I quote - "Look at the new models and see what you like". I was pissed. Any way I resigned myself to getting a new iPod (4GB Nano) causing some serious problems with my wife. I put the old one in a drawer until that website that pays you for junked iPods came back online and could get $15-20 bucks for it.

Anyway I fish it out of the drawer use this diag mode and voila! It works again. iTunes recognized immediately and it's updating as we speak. WOW! I gotta go over to the Apple support forum and inform all those depressed folks. Yeeeha!!!!! Did I mention I'm totally jacked it's working again.
 

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You rock because you helped me fix my pod without spending a dime! Whenever I have an iPod need in future, I’ll come to you first.

I really thought all was lost. I had the folder with exclamation mark. Tried restoring (wouldn't do); tried everything I could find anywhere. FINALY, I found the “super-fix” on your site.

Erase Your iPod (The Super Fix)
http://www.methodshop.com/gadgets/ipodsupport/erase/

It didn’t work for me the first try. Had to let my pod rest for a day, mess with the Disk Utility settings (Mac), try again, then Restore… and it WORKED!!!

Never realized how attached I am to my pod till I didn’t have it.

Thanks and thanks again. God bless you! Keep rocking!
 

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I have a fifth generation ipod that was not responding to any of the tips given on the official MAC website. It was frozen beyond belief and none of their reset instructions were working.

I should have known better than to rely on the ACTUAL MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE. Your tip to hold down both the "Menu" and "Select" buttons did the trick when simply holding down the "Menu" button alone (while suggested by MAC) did absolutely nothing.

Your website has simultaneously proven to me, once again, why an economic system comprised of multi-national conglomerates simply cannot compete with a few people who create a website geared to help you.

Thanks again.
 

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Hi,

I just wanted to thank you for your suggestions
about how to fix my ipod. When I first tried
formatting my Ipod so I could just reload everything
my computer wouldn't let me. I kept getting this
failure message about Windows being unable to complete
the formatting task. However after Oh I'm not sure
maybe 6 or 7 tries Windows finally decided to complete
formatting my Ipod after which I was able to go to
Itunes and reload all my software and songs. Now it's
working great again. I just wanted to write an email
to thank you guys and your wonderful site for having
such detailed directions on how to repair this Ipod
problem myself. I will definitely be coming to your
site again with any other Ipod questions I may end up
having. Thanks again!



Sincerely,
Libby
 

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