Attn Ipod experts, this one might stump you!

Submitted by rbraddock on January 23, 2006 - 7:43am

Basically I recently updated my ipod's software as I was prompted by itunes.
Now when docked windows does not 'see' the ipod. When i turn on the device I simply get a screen showing me an american style wall socket and a charger.
I would have thought this meant charge it. So I left it docked through the cable in case the dock was the problem.
Still no joy so I tried the apple reboot (the select and menu holding trick). When I perform this the ipod shuts off and a low battery indicator appears.
Then when I try and turn it back on it simply refuses to for a few minutes. What could be the problem?
Can anybody please help? I would be very grateful as I'm not able to replace it. Many Thanks, Richard

Submitted by rbraddock on January 23, 2006 - 7:52am.

PS its a 4th Gen Monochrome 40GB Ipod

Submitted by bin_jammin on January 23, 2006 - 8:22am.

to charge via usb or firewire? The 4th gen ipod would only charge via usb after a firmware update. If you haven't done so, you need to charge via firewire, then perform the update, and you'll be able to charge via usb.

Submitted by rbraddock on January 23, 2006 - 9:05am.

I've always charged by USB since I got it Sad Dont have a firewire cable either

Submitted by evilrobot on January 23, 2006 - 11:51am.

not identical, but when i updated the firmware on my mini through my Mac, the mini showed the charger wall socket icon, and the updater indicated that i needd to plug it into the wall for the update to finish. as i dont have a wall charger for it, i just moved my cable over to a PC and plugged my mini in there.. and everything worked fine (since a PC cant read a Mac formatted drive, it wasnt trying to be accessed, just charged)

EDIT: of course that might not work for you if you are using windows, since if you put your windows iPod on a Mac to charge the Mac would mount it since it can read Mac and PC drives.

Whosawhatsis's picture

Submitted by Whosawhatsis on January 24, 2006 - 4:41pm.

... Dont have a firewire cable either

Got a friend who does? If not, you can pick up a dock cable with both connectors for less than $15 US including shipping from overstock.com or through amazon's "new & used" option. (although it won't do you still need a powered firewire port to plug it into).

I have a 3rd gen that I use with my mac, but I did a restore on a PC so that I would be able to use it as a hard drive with one. I got the same message after the update, so plugged it into my iBook via firewire. The "plug in" screen went away and I was able to connect it to iTunes and start loading my music again.