When you connect your iPod to the computer and nothing happens

[insomniak]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:09pm

My hard drive was wiped a while back and I never fixed iTunes, but today I got a new CD (Caroline!) and I really can't put it off any longer. I plugged the thing into the computer and nothing happened.

How do I make the computer recognize the iPod?

Thanks a million.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:12pm

I'm pooter retarded, but isn't it something to do with creating a new file on your hard drive thingy?

[insomniak]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:19pm

I don't think so....

Hi, though.

[Plum]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:20pm

No, I don't think so. Look at your System Tray- the right side of the task bar. Is there an icon with a gray rectangle thing and a green arrow? Click it and see if your computer is at least recognizing a form of removable hardware.

Also, you might want to try restarting the computer, just because that works for most things. :)
Updated On: 8/5/05 at 10:20 PM

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:21pm

*brain deflates*

Yeah, what she said.

(Do I get an A for effort?)

[Plum]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:23pm

You get an A for Avatar Coolness.

[insomniak]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:26pm

Plum, I don't know what a taskbar is, but I can't find the hardware listed under my computer or anything. I'll try restarting.

Thanks for helping, though.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:27pm

The taskbar is that bar at the bottom of your computer (parallel with your Start button). The icon that Plum is talking about should be at the far right of your computer. If you have XP, there's a possibility it's hidden. In that case, click on the button that looks like this (<) and that should show all the icons.


You might have to try and install the plug in needed for your computer to recognize your iPod. Or reinstall iTunes, possibly?

Updated On: 8/5/05 at 10:27 PM

[Plum]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:30pm

Are you using the same connection you always used? That is, you're not trying to plug it into a non-USB 2.0 or Firewire port, are you?

Other than that, for now I can just reiterate what I said before- reboot and look for the "removable hardware" icon. Updated On: 8/5/05 at 10:30 PM

[insomniak]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:44pm

*drums fingers on wall*

I'll try those things once my computer finishes installing these random updates that suddenly came up.

Plum, it's the same port I've always used. Aigoo, thanks. I know what you mean now. I may just reinstall iTunes.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:47pm

Try looking at a website called iPod Lounge. They have answers to everything. I don't know the exact address, but Google does.

[Plum]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:49pm

Apple's support site is quite nice, too.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:52pm

The answer to this question should be on Apple's website; it's probably a common issue. My iPod's instruction booklet has an "if your computer doesn't recognize the iPod" section, but my iPod is a different model, and I don't want to further screw her up if for some reason procedure is different.

Updated On: 8/5/05 at 10:52 PM

[insomniak]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 10:56pm

So far no dice, but I'll keep looking.

Instruction booklet didn't help me.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 11:01pm

"If you connect iPod to your computer and nothing happens:
- Make sure you have installed the software on the iPod CD
- Make sure you have the required computer and software
- Your iPod may need to be reset (it has a page reference, let me know if your booklet doesn't tell you how to do that.)
- Check the cable conections. Uplug the cable at both ends and make sure no foreign objects are in the ports. Then plug the cable back in securely.
- If you're connecting to the correct USB/USB2 port
- If that doesn't work, restart your computer
If that doesn't work, you may need to restore your iPod software, see 'Software Update and Restore."

You also may want to look into UPGRADING iTunes - that helped me with some mishaps, and it's different than totally reinstalling. You won't lose your music.

[insomniak]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 11:08pm

That's what's in my booklet- I will, if my computer ever stops updating itself. All of the sudden it felt the need to download a million little things from its mothership and now I'm stuck here waiting until it finishes. It's very inconvienent.

I'm reading Apple's message boards now. I hope my problem is more easily fixed than some of these peoples'.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 11:30pm

If you upgrade iTunes, it'll essentially just add features on to the one you have. It's not a new thing.

[Plum]

Posted: 8/5/05 at 11:43pm

Yeah, but sometimes it adds bug fixes. And like restarting a computer, reinstalling a program can have mysterious restorative powers.

[insomniak]

Posted: 8/6/05 at 12:57am

Sigh. It was working and now it's not.