Broken iPod Tutorial!

[mikevickrocks]

Broken iPod Tutorial

Does your iPod keep flashing the boot logo over and over again? Will your computer not recognize it? Does iTunes not recognize it? Is it just not working? If so, try this tutorial which will, hopefully, fix your iPod. It uses the HP Disk Format Tool and iTunes 7.

1. First, download the HP USB Disk Format Tool (this will allow you to later factory reset your iPod).

2. Plug in your iPod. Wait a couple of seconds for your computer to recognize it (if not, try disk mode), and then open up the HP USB Tool we just downloaded.

3. Make sure you have it formatted as File System FAT32 and enter your iPod name (keep it to a maximum of 11 characters, otherwise you will get a "Bad Volume Name" error). Screenshot.

4. Check "Quick Format" but do NOT check "Create a DOS Startup Disk"

5. Click "Start" and allow your iPod to be formatted.

6. After the formatting is complete, open up iTunes 7. iTunes should now recognize it. Click on your iPod using the left hand navigation pane in iTunes, and then select "Restore" and hit "Apply" to restore default factory settings to your iPod.

7. Allow time for your iPod to reset and restore itself, and then your computer will re-recognize it and your "Broken iPod" should now be fixed and able to sync and listen to music once more!
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Optional Steps

I have been told by some people for iPods larger than 30GB, File System NFTS seems to be working as well. After doing this, some people (Steele) have said that after NFTS format is complete, you can just continue to the updater, without using the HP Format Tool at all! (The reason for this step is that the HP Format Tool can be used on no larger than 30 GB iPods with Fat32 File System.)

If the above (using NTFS) doesn't work, then try this website. It is quite a lot to read, but if you really want to fix your iPod, you will use it.

For some reason, certain computers have trouble with iTunes and reading iPods. In this case, you should defintely try and restore your iPod on someone else's computer (if available), or as a last resort, do a fresh install of Windows on your own computer.
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Disclaimer: I have only tested this on my 5G and Nano, but I am pretty sure it will work on all generations. This tutorial should only be used if your iPod is severely broken, most other times a simple restore will suffice. This tutorial should be pretty safe, but if anything happens, I am not responsible.

[BFoster108]

Originally Posted by jubi23

I am having the same problem... i have a 60g
i converted to NTFS in computer management, how i convert to FAT32 now?

Ok well first go into computer management (right-click on my computer...click manage)....then look for disk management....click....make sure your ipod drive is plugged in otherwise the ipod hd wont show up....right-click on the ipod hd then click format....then on the next screen under file system it'll have a drop-down box with ntfs and fat32....if it just has ntfs do that....after its done with that format then it will have fat32....60 gb will take some time so dont worry if it takes 30 mins...

[x0r]

Originally Posted by mikevickrocks

Well, you aren't using the HP Disk format tool. You have to use that is your iPod is broken as often times, your computer won't work, and I am guessing that is the computer option that comes standard. (Right click on the drive, format, right?) So, just use the Format tool and then you will get more options. Also, you should follow the tutorial, as I don't think you have been if you are using the Windows stock option.

it seem you didn't read the whole thread,the one that posted in the first post was for ipod 5g 30GB,the tool cann't directly formatting Ipod 5G the 60 GB one, Must converted first to NTFS and then using the windows built-in Disk Management convert that to Fat32,the problem is there is no Fat32 in my list...

[zestynet]

My roommate's ipod crapped out on him tonight. On startup he gets the unhappy face - I ran the diagnostics tool built in and checked the hard drive - no errors, can read and write. I boot into disk mode and attach the cable to the computer, then see the drive appear in the windows explorer menu, but when I click on it, I get the following message: "The specified network resource or drive is no longer available." However, I still see the drive listed there. Needless to say, when I start the HP USB format software, the drive isn't in the dropdown list. It's a 20 GB 4th gen. If anyone has any further ideas, please send 'em my way! :-) Thanks! -B

[mikevickrocks]

No, Xor, I have read the whole thread, it seems as if you are the one who is confused. All I said was that that doesn't really look the HP Disk Format Tool, and the guy who converted to NFTS used the Disk Format Tool (in Windows), then the format tool again to get to Fat32. That screen is the WINDOWS format option, not the HP, which is much better at recognizing your iPod most of the time. Next time, get the facts straight before trying to insult me. Thanks anyways!

[x0r]

Originally Posted by mikevickrocks

No, Xor, I have read the whole thread, it seems as if you are the one who is confused. All I said was that that doesn't really look the HP Disk Format Tool, and the guy who converted to NFTS used the Disk Format Tool (in Windows), then the format tool again to get to Fat32. That screen is the WINDOWS format option, not the HP, which is much better at recognizing your iPod most of the time. Next time, get the facts straight before trying to insult me. Thanks anyways!

first i have 60GB ipod not 30GB ipod,the HP Tool only able to format the 30GB ipod to fat32,even have converted to NTFS,then use the hp tool again,it still cann't(you can try it by yourself if you had the 60gb one),here is the quote :

1

Originally Posted by BFoster108

be careful that usb format software says the 60gb is too big and doesnt finish the format so after 3 hrs of trying to get my ipod back up and running I went into computer management with ipod plugged in had to format it in there using ntfs and convert it back to fat32.....so thats just an fyi.....the usb format app is only upto 32gb

2

Originally Posted by BFoster108

Ok well first go into computer management (right-click on my computer...click manage)....then look for disk management....click....make sure your ipod drive is plugged in otherwise the ipod hd wont show up....right-click on the ipod hd then click format....then on the next screen under file system it'll have a drop-down box with ntfs and fat32....if it just has ntfs do that....after its done with that format then it will have fat32....60 gb will take some time so dont worry if it takes 30 mins...

thats the proof mate,and the last one i really didn't mean to insulting you,i just tell you the tips from another 60 GB user which may you forgot to read it..... sorry mate

[spiez]

forget my last post. if you are having the same problem as i had, it is because you downgraded the firmware and left it without updating the updator. this will cause problems with the HP tool, as when i reinstalled the updator, everything seemed to be working fine.

:s no idea wots going on

[Steell]

My 60gig iPod Video crapped out on me when I changed the font, so I was forced to do a format. I didn't use this tutorial to do so, but I pretty much did the same thing.

It is true that the HP tool cannot format any storage device over 30 or so gigabytes into FAT or FAT32, due to an actual limitation in the FAT data system (or so I read somewhere). This is why for iPods over 30gigs you must convert it to NTFS.

What you don't need to do, however, is convert it to FAT32 afterwards. You can plug it into the comp and the iPod updater will recognize it! This is what I did with my iPod, and it works like nothing happened. So to save time, you don't need to convert it to FAT32 through computer management in Windows.

Hope people are able to fix their broken iPods, and great job with the tutorial!

[Steell]

Originally Posted by whitty

I'd do it though, because if you don't, you can't use linux or rockbox or anything with it later. Or for that matter manage the ipod with linux should you want to.

Actually, when the iPod updater restores the iPod, I'm pretty sure it formats it to FAT and then uploads the firmware, so it's pretty much resulting in the same thing. You should still be able to run Linux and Rockbox.

Even though my iPod was formatted with NTFS and I didn't format it to FAT32 through computer management, when I check the iPod through my computer now, it says its formatted as FAT. So formatting it to FAT32 shouldn't do anything besides waste time.

[potterfan731]

OK. HP USB Disk Format Tool Works- but there IS something BETTER. ANapod Reinitializer. It is like the HP USB DiskFormat Tool, but it is built SPECIFICALLY for iPods. IT gives you the format option, and it also gives you an option that acts as the updater, so it is both of them in one. It is a small file, about 150kb, and it is FREE. I'll post the link, but if you can't get to the link I'll attach the file in a zip if you ask. Hope this works better for you than these 2 tools. http://www.redchairsoftware.com/anapod/reinit.php

EDIT: I attached the file, jsut for the ease of it. Have fun, and this program has worked flawlessly for me like 20 times when i screw my iPod over pretty damn near completely.