iPod Issues - Suggestions on a Fix or Replacement?

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

06/07/2009 07:12:17 PM · #1

I just got my new computer (Dell Studio Desktop running Vista Home Premium 64-bit), and have got everything up and running except my iPod (5th generation video iPod). As soon as I plug it into the computer, iTunes locks up, as does pretty much everything else. When I unplug it, everything works again. I've gone through Apple's less-than-useful support site without luck - none of their suggestions work.

I borrowed my girlfriend's computer and used her iTunes to do a full restore & update of my iPod. It still doesn't work and locks up the software when I plug it in.

If anyone has suggestions for how I might fix this, I'd appreciate it.

On the other hand, I hate - and have always hated - the damn thing in the first place; it's poorly designed piece of junk. So if anyone has a good suggestion for a replacement unit, I'm all ears. All I want to do is keep my entire music library on it, have the ability to play based on album/artist & playlists. It gets used most in my car, although also in a speaker-dock in my home.

Bugzeye

06/07/2009 07:30:52 PM · #2

This sounds like a driver issue. I would try a complete uninstall of Itunes. Check your registry afterwards and make sure all traces of the program are removed. Then reinstall the latest version of Itunes, Can't say that will work. But it is where I would start.

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF for Pentax

06/07/2009 07:48:49 PM · #3

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

Just tried that again. No luck :-(

Nobody

Pentax K-S2

06/07/2009 08:11:59 PM · #4

Do you live near an Apple store? The folks at the genius bar are pretty good at fixing meltdowns like this.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

06/07/2009 10:00:57 PM · #5

Turns out that Apple's predictably horrid software is at fault. I tried installing both the 32 and 64-bit versions on my 64-bit computer. Strangely, the 32-bit version got farther before locking up.

Fired up the laptop and installed the 32-bit iTunes there; no issues, my library is transferring back to my iPod. It'll take another 30 minutes to finish, and I'll have to rebuild my playlists, but the stupid thing will work. I'm almost disappointed - I was moments away from ordering a Creative Labs "Zen" player...

Anyway, thank you both,

Nobody and

Bugzeye for your input. All's well that ends well. It'd just be nice if Apple got their act together and built software that actually worked with the current OS.

NstiG8tr

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

06/07/2009 10:12:19 PM · #6

Ipod= ripoff

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

06/07/2009 10:19:23 PM · #7

Originally posted by NstiG8tr:

Ipod= ripoff

Couldn't agree more! They're only popular because they're "trendy." In terms of operation, they're the most wretched thing to come along in a while. Not intuitive, not easy to use, not well built. Sadly, at the time it was the only unit that had the capacity I needed, hence my being stuck with it. I spend more time futzing with the thing and clearing its lock-ups than I care to remember.

I may still replace it this summer, working or not.

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

06/08/2009 04:43:48 AM · #8

Hmm..sounds like what Mac people have had to endure for the last 20 years with "everything WIndoze based software."
I have never had a problem with my iPhone, iTunes, etc. But, I run Mac too. :-)

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

06/08/2009 09:30:23 AM · #9

Hmmm...I have to disagree with the OP. I have 2 iPods, a Classic and a Touch, and I've never had hardware that's so intuitive to operate and works so well with the computer. I originally resisted buying an iPod, simply because I thought they were just trendy and a fad, but, for the most part, they exceeded all expectations and are one of the few products that deliver on their hype.

The other MP3 players I've had are horrible by comparison.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

06/08/2009 09:47:00 AM · #10

I have a Sansa Clip, and I love it. I use it for listening in the car, and 2 Gig is plenty of storage for my purposes. It's also cheap enough to leave hooked up in the car. If you are coming from an Ipod, you may want something that has more storage capacity. The second generation Zunes have a good rep.

I am partial to drag and drop loading of files using my computer's file manager. I don't care for having to sync with a proprietary program. I do realize I am different from most in that.

Apple iPhone 5

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

06/08/2009 10:48:53 AM · #11

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

+1

When I bought my iPod Touch I was worried it'd end up at the back of the drawer with all the other impulse buy gadgets. But I've been addicted to it for a year now; video, music, email, photos, online poker :) - And it's an amazing device for bringing on holiday to keep my son occupied watching Disney movies when we're sitting in a restaurant.

Nobody

Pentax K-S2

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF for Pentax

06/08/2009 10:54:30 AM · #12

I'm definitely a PC person, but I have to say that I find the ipods to be very well designed. Some of the features of iTunes could be improved, but the ipod itself is about as intuitive as it can get.

hsolakidis

Nikon D50

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

06/08/2009 11:18:29 AM · #13

Itunes sucks big time, at least on the PC. Try floola. Excellent and free.

bergiekat

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-70 2.8L II

06/08/2009 01:17:45 PM · #14

I resisted the whole mp3 player wave until last Thanksgiving. I got a steal on a 4GB Sansa Clip and it rocks! The headset jack is a bit loose, but the sound and functionality are amazing! I then got an itouch from hubby for Christmas (he blew the $50 limit rule). I've not had any problems with either one. I have software issues int the past with iTunes, but only on the Windows computer and with hubby's older iPod. The Mac loves both programs.

FYI - Floola doesn't work for iTouch or iPhone. :)

06/08/2009 03:45:47 PM · #15

Another update - because I apparently have no life and am too stubborn for my own good, I removed all traces of Apple products from my desktop and shut it down last night. This afternoon I turned it all back on and hooked up the iPod. Low and behold, it appeared in My Computer as a drive. Checked that the drivers were good, they were, so I "ejected" it, then downloaded and installed the 64-bit iTunes software.

iTunes opened, recognized the iPod, and actually functioned correctly! Of course, because the iPod was synced to my laptop, I had to erase it and reload all the files - and I'll have to recreate my playlists AGAIN. But now it appears to be mysteriously working.

I can't for the life of me figure out why it suddenly functions...

Regarding my anti-iPod rant, most of that is based off the fact that I believe the unit is popular not because it's really a great device, but because it was marketed very well as being "hip." I find the proprietary nature of iTunes annoying, and its logic in organizing/updating files a bit obtuse - especially its knack for creating multiple duplicates of songs for no reason.

I think the unit itself is badly designed - I have large fingers, and when I try to press the set button, I am forever managing to spin the dial a click or two and end up with the wrong selection. It frustrates me to no end, and I think it could be improved upon. I also think the internal filing system is obtuse.

A lot of people like them - more power to you. If there were a solid, viable alternative, I'd switch in a second. In the meantime, looks like the stupid thing is working again - probably out of spite. :-)

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

06/08/2009 04:06:07 PM · #16

Hey, you can export playlists from iTunes.... Whatdaya know - I guess that's actually +1 for Apple :-)

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

06/08/2009 04:07:11 PM · #17

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:

If there were a solid, viable alternative, I'd switch in a second.

Your second's up.

There are lots of other great media players out there. Here's a good place to see what's available: Anythingbutipod.com

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/08/2009 04:08:42 PM · #18

I had an Ipod, it had a mind of its own. It would load my files one day, erase them the next, then after a reload, duplicate all my music. Very irritating listening to tracks twice and even more irritating sitting there all evening erasing duplicate files.

I passed it on to my wife and now use a Sansa View 16Gb. Strangely all my troubles have vanished and now I simply drag and drop tracks onto it:))

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/08/2009 04:10:27 PM · #19

My ipod touch is still the dumbest thing I ever bought :-(

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/08/2009 04:11:08 PM · #20

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:

iTunes opened, recognized the iPod, and actually functioned correctly!

You mean installing from a clean start just worked? So much for "Apple's predictably horrid software." The software is fine. Applications are not immune to corruption or computer misconfiguration, but Apple's is generally well known for software that "just works."