I brought my housemates iPod mini into work this past few days, with the intention of transferring my music from here to home. Problem is, when I plug it into the computer via the USB cable, the computer doesn't seem to detect it properly.
iTunes starts up automatically, which would lead me to believe that it detecting the presence of the iPod, but the iPod doesn't appear in iTunes, nor does it appear as a drive in Windows Explorer.
Any suggestions??
Full Version: iPod Mini not detected.
Did u plug the iPod Mini first or install its driver and iTunes first?
You should've installed the driver first before plugging it to your computer.
You should've installed the driver first before plugging it to your computer.
QUOTE(sh1leshk4 @ Sep 2 2005, 09:51 AM)
Did u plug the iPod Mini first or install its driver and iTunes first?
You should've installed the driver first before plugging it to your computer.
You should've installed the driver first before plugging it to your computer.
Actually, it doesn't make any difference. The iPod doesn't use any "drivers", and the iTunes/iPod software doesn't install any either.
First, does the iPod go into "Do Not Disconnect" mode? If so, then it sees the computer, and Windows should see it as an available drive. This is what you want to see.
Next, do you have any mapped network drives? Work computers usually do. If you just plugged the iPod in, then Windows might have stupidly assigned a drive letter to it that one of your mapped drives is actually using. You can fix this by either:
-Unmapping all your drives before plugging in the iPod, or
-Open the Computer Management Control Panel, and use the Drive Management tool to change the iPod's drive letter to one you're not using.
QUOTE(Otto42 @ Sep 3 2005, 01:03 AM)
Actually, it doesn't make any difference. The iPod doesn't use any "drivers", and the iTunes/iPod software doesn't install any either.
Am just following the guide provided w/ the box. =)
It was my cousin's; I was installing it for him.
Since that was my first time installing iPod Mini's driver (software, whatever) and iTunes, and after that the iPod Mini's working perfectly, so I thought it might be the case.
edit :
Please not that the installation from the CD provided was a two-step process.
First was the supposedly 'driver', and the second was the iTunes installation.
That's why I consider the iPod Mini's software as its driver, not iTunes.
(or to put it simply, IMO, iTunes and the iPod Mini's driver are separate)
But who knows...
I know I'm not too experienced at this iPod thingie.
QUOTE
Please not that the installation from the CD provided was a two-step process.
First was the supposedly 'driver', and the second was the iTunes installation.
That's why I consider the iPod Mini's software as its driver, not iTunes.
(or to put it simply, IMO, iTunes and the iPod Mini's driver are separate)
First was the supposedly 'driver', and the second was the iTunes installation.
That's why I consider the iPod Mini's software as its driver, not iTunes.
(or to put it simply, IMO, iTunes and the iPod Mini's driver are separate)
He just means none of that software is needed by the iPod. Its just quicktime, iTunes and some firmware update stuff. The iPod itself will mount in any Windows PC, even ones without any Apple software installed.
Edit: For example, its even possible to install an Ipod song loading program onto the ipod itself, and then plug in to random machines, load the software on the ipod, and then add music that way, all without installing software on the local machines.
Yeah, well, the iPod manual is wrong. 
The only "driver" the iPod actually uses is generally called the "mass storage device" driver. It's built into Windows, more or less. As far as Windows cares, the iPod is nothing but an external hard drive.
The iPod Software Updater and iTunes are the only two things you really need, and I recommend downloading the latest versions instead of using whatever is on the CD. And really, you only need one of those, sorta.
The iPod Software Updater lets you Update the iPod's software by rewriting the first partition, which it boots from and is hidden from the OS by being in an unrecognizable format. This is where all the iPod's software actually lives. It also lets you Restore the iPod, by rewriting the partition tables (thus erasing it entirely), and then doing essentially the same thing as an update and rewriting that first hidden partition. On the first boot, that hidden partition it writes also updates the iPod's flash memory (which is why it forces you to attach it to AC power after an Update).
iTunes just treats it like a hard drive, basically, writing files to it as needed.
The "Do Not Disconnect" means that the drive is mounted in Windows, and is thus visible as a drive letter. "Ok to Disconnect" means it's not mounted anymore.
Both the iPod Software Updater and iTunes install a service on the computer, called the iPodService. It's visible in the Services Control Panel. This service does only a couple things. Mainly, it notices when an iPod has been connected to the system and starts up iTunes. iTunes and the iPod Software Updater also call functions in this service to mount or unmount the iPod.
But none of this is a "driver", technically. The driver used is built into Windows. It's the same as connecting any external hard drive, basically. So if the iPod goes into DND mode, then that means the iPod saw the computer and switched to drive mode. That's good. If Windows is working properly, it'll see that you attached an external hard drive, and mount it, thus giving the partitions it finds each drive letters. It'll auto mount when you attach it, and if you right click the drive letter, you can "Eject" it to safely unmount it. This all works without anything else on the machine. No service, no iPod software, no iTunes. Built right in.
And that's it. There's the magic. Probably more than you wanted to know, but there you go.
The only "driver" the iPod actually uses is generally called the "mass storage device" driver. It's built into Windows, more or less. As far as Windows cares, the iPod is nothing but an external hard drive.
The iPod Software Updater and iTunes are the only two things you really need, and I recommend downloading the latest versions instead of using whatever is on the CD. And really, you only need one of those, sorta.
The iPod Software Updater lets you Update the iPod's software by rewriting the first partition, which it boots from and is hidden from the OS by being in an unrecognizable format. This is where all the iPod's software actually lives. It also lets you Restore the iPod, by rewriting the partition tables (thus erasing it entirely), and then doing essentially the same thing as an update and rewriting that first hidden partition. On the first boot, that hidden partition it writes also updates the iPod's flash memory (which is why it forces you to attach it to AC power after an Update).
iTunes just treats it like a hard drive, basically, writing files to it as needed.
The "Do Not Disconnect" means that the drive is mounted in Windows, and is thus visible as a drive letter. "Ok to Disconnect" means it's not mounted anymore.
Both the iPod Software Updater and iTunes install a service on the computer, called the iPodService. It's visible in the Services Control Panel. This service does only a couple things. Mainly, it notices when an iPod has been connected to the system and starts up iTunes. iTunes and the iPod Software Updater also call functions in this service to mount or unmount the iPod.
But none of this is a "driver", technically. The driver used is built into Windows. It's the same as connecting any external hard drive, basically. So if the iPod goes into DND mode, then that means the iPod saw the computer and switched to drive mode. That's good. If Windows is working properly, it'll see that you attached an external hard drive, and mount it, thus giving the partitions it finds each drive letters. It'll auto mount when you attach it, and if you right click the drive letter, you can "Eject" it to safely unmount it. This all works without anything else on the machine. No service, no iPod software, no iTunes. Built right in.
And that's it. There's the magic. Probably more than you wanted to know, but there you go.
This might sound silly, but make sure the iPod is not on hold. Someone I know couldn't figure out why her iPod wasn't working when she plugged it into her computer, and it turned out that the Hold feature was active and preventing it from working with the PC.
Huh. It should work on hold. All the hold switch does is send a signal to the iPod software that tells it to ignore button presses.
I usually leave mine on hold, since it's really easy to activate the thing by mistake.
I usually leave mine on hold, since it's really easy to activate the thing by mistake.
I had a very frustrating experience with my new iPod on my Windows XP Pro laptop, which took many days and many dollars to resolve. I figured I'd add the details here to this already good post for further reference, since my issue is nearly identical.
My laptop is a Dell latitude D600, with Win XP Pro SP2. Has USB2 ports but they are flakey (long story, not relevant here) so I had already purchased a PC Card USB2 / Firewire card. The USB2 function of this card has been used extensively and works well with a variety of hard drives and other USB2 devices.
1) Loaded iTunes on laptop, connected iPod to laptop on this USB2 card.
2) iPod goes into 'Do Not Disconnect' mode, but iTunes does not recognize.
3) eventually called Apple tech support. After an hour on hold, with very frustrating 20-second updates telling me to stay on the line, I got through to a pretty darned good support guy who obviously knew his stuff in general and was determined and patient.
4) After an hour of 'trying everything under the sun', we decided to try one of my other computers. The one chosen was a win2k SP4 desktop machine with USB2 hardware. It worked like a charm immediately.
5) we concluded that there must be an issue with my laptop PC Card USB2 card, which uses the 'VIA' chipset.
6) Went out and spent $50 for a belken USB2 PC Card - the one recommended on Apple's site. Same problem
7) Finally realised that, when the iPod was plugged in, if I 'hovered over' the 'eject' icon (safely remove ...) in the win XP tray, it would show a 'mass storage device' but it did NOT have a drive letter.
8) I then remembered that this is an age-old problem ... (and that's where the similarity to this thread comes in) - if you have mapped network drives in the 'low letter range' - D:, E:, etc - I do - Win XP will 'double up' on these drive letters for a new device, and the new device doesn't work.
9) I ran disk manager (Start/Run ... diskmgmt.msc) and sure enough, there was the ipod assigned the "D:" drive letter, even though I was actively using files sitting on my network mapped 'D:' drive.
10) I changed the drive letter to M: and ... suddenly, the iPod showed up in iTunes.
Hope this helps others!
My laptop is a Dell latitude D600, with Win XP Pro SP2. Has USB2 ports but they are flakey (long story, not relevant here) so I had already purchased a PC Card USB2 / Firewire card. The USB2 function of this card has been used extensively and works well with a variety of hard drives and other USB2 devices.
1) Loaded iTunes on laptop, connected iPod to laptop on this USB2 card.
2) iPod goes into 'Do Not Disconnect' mode, but iTunes does not recognize.
3) eventually called Apple tech support. After an hour on hold, with very frustrating 20-second updates telling me to stay on the line, I got through to a pretty darned good support guy who obviously knew his stuff in general and was determined and patient.
4) After an hour of 'trying everything under the sun', we decided to try one of my other computers. The one chosen was a win2k SP4 desktop machine with USB2 hardware. It worked like a charm immediately.
5) we concluded that there must be an issue with my laptop PC Card USB2 card, which uses the 'VIA' chipset.
6) Went out and spent $50 for a belken USB2 PC Card - the one recommended on Apple's site. Same problem
7) Finally realised that, when the iPod was plugged in, if I 'hovered over' the 'eject' icon (safely remove ...) in the win XP tray, it would show a 'mass storage device' but it did NOT have a drive letter.
8) I then remembered that this is an age-old problem ... (and that's where the similarity to this thread comes in) - if you have mapped network drives in the 'low letter range' - D:, E:, etc - I do - Win XP will 'double up' on these drive letters for a new device, and the new device doesn't work.
9) I ran disk manager (Start/Run ... diskmgmt.msc) and sure enough, there was the ipod assigned the "D:" drive letter, even though I was actively using files sitting on my network mapped 'D:' drive.
10) I changed the drive letter to M: and ... suddenly, the iPod showed up in iTunes.
Hope this helps others!
I never figured out why people mapped drives to letters like D: or E: or F:. It just invites problems when you add drives to your computer.
Probably coz they've never run into troubles for doing it like that.
Personally, I always map networked drives to Z and up.
Personally, I always map networked drives to Z and up.
QUOTE(chrisgeleven @ Sep 21 2005, 09:19 PM)
I never figured out why people mapped drives to letters like D: or E: or F:. It just invites problems when you add drives to your computer.
Several reasons ...
At work, we have to have 'common drive letter mappings', and given that you don't know how many 'local drives' any given computer may have (legacy issues), we always map network drives starting at "M:" on down (M: -> Z:), leaving D: -> L: for local drives. Essentially, the office are 'reserving' M: on down for their own use. So right there, M: through Z: are spoken for.
At home, therefore, I have to map network drives within the range D: -> L:. Why did I choose D:? Well, on my laptop, I have only one local drive - C: - but on my desktop/server, I have numerous local drives (C:, D:, E:, etc). Further, I have some applications that I want to run on both my desktop and on my laptop, accessing shared data, and these apps don't play well if the drive letters are not identical, so ... I configure my desktop apps to point to the data files on 'D:', and on my laptop, I map the same physical drive as the local 'D:' drive - thus, both my desktop and my laptop can point to the exact same filesystem as the 'D:' drive - local on one system, mapped network on the other. This is, of course, a kludge to get around the poor application design that does not support flexible drive mappings. I could, instead, configure my desktop to have drive letters H:, I:, J:, etc - but that's crappy for the desktop.
It's only Windows XP that has this bizarre behavior of ignoring existing mappings when assigning drive letters to USB devices. My Windows 2000 machines assign drive letters more logically. It's a bug (in my opinion) in XP but affects a small enough number of people to be ignorable by MS.
I'm having a similiar problem with my roommate's iPod. The difference lies in that I cannot get "Do Not Disconnect." It always reads "OK to disconnect." I have tried reseting the ipod and also ran scan disk from the ipod diagnostic menu and it came back ok.
Thank you very much - you made my day!
After changing the drive letter, my iPod finally works again! GREAT!
After changing the drive letter, my iPod finally works again! GREAT!
QUOTE(Steerpike @ Sep 22 2005, 03:50 AM)
I had a very frustrating experience with my new iPod on my Windows XP Pro laptop, which took many days and many dollars to resolve. I figured I'd add the details here to this already good post for further reference, since my issue is nearly identical.
My laptop is a Dell latitude D600, with Win XP Pro SP2. Has USB2 ports but they are flakey (long story, not relevant here) so I had already purchased a PC Card USB2 / Firewire card. The USB2 function of this card has been used extensively and works well with a variety of hard drives and other USB2 devices.
1) Loaded iTunes on laptop, connected iPod to laptop on this USB2 card.
2) iPod goes into 'Do Not Disconnect' mode, but iTunes does not recognize.
3) eventually called Apple tech support. After an hour on hold, with very frustrating 20-second updates telling me to stay on the line, I got through to a pretty darned good support guy who obviously knew his stuff in general and was determined and patient.
4) After an hour of 'trying everything under the sun', we decided to try one of my other computers. The one chosen was a win2k SP4 desktop machine with USB2 hardware. It worked like a charm immediately.
5) we concluded that there must be an issue with my laptop PC Card USB2 card, which uses the 'VIA' chipset.
6) Went out and spent $50 for a belken USB2 PC Card - the one recommended on Apple's site. Same problem
7) Finally realised that, when the iPod was plugged in, if I 'hovered over' the 'eject' icon (safely remove ...) in the win XP tray, it would show a 'mass storage device' but it did NOT have a drive letter.
8) I then remembered that this is an age-old problem ... (and that's where the similarity to this thread comes in) - if you have mapped network drives in the 'low letter range' - D:, E:, etc - I do - Win XP will 'double up' on these drive letters for a new device, and the new device doesn't work.
9) I ran disk manager (Start/Run ... diskmgmt.msc) and sure enough, there was the ipod assigned the "D:" drive letter, even though I was actively using files sitting on my network mapped 'D:' drive.
10) I changed the drive letter to M: and ... suddenly, the iPod showed up in iTunes.
Hope this helps others!
My laptop is a Dell latitude D600, with Win XP Pro SP2. Has USB2 ports but they are flakey (long story, not relevant here) so I had already purchased a PC Card USB2 / Firewire card. The USB2 function of this card has been used extensively and works well with a variety of hard drives and other USB2 devices.
1) Loaded iTunes on laptop, connected iPod to laptop on this USB2 card.
2) iPod goes into 'Do Not Disconnect' mode, but iTunes does not recognize.
3) eventually called Apple tech support. After an hour on hold, with very frustrating 20-second updates telling me to stay on the line, I got through to a pretty darned good support guy who obviously knew his stuff in general and was determined and patient.
4) After an hour of 'trying everything under the sun', we decided to try one of my other computers. The one chosen was a win2k SP4 desktop machine with USB2 hardware. It worked like a charm immediately.
5) we concluded that there must be an issue with my laptop PC Card USB2 card, which uses the 'VIA' chipset.
6) Went out and spent $50 for a belken USB2 PC Card - the one recommended on Apple's site. Same problem
7) Finally realised that, when the iPod was plugged in, if I 'hovered over' the 'eject' icon (safely remove ...) in the win XP tray, it would show a 'mass storage device' but it did NOT have a drive letter.
8) I then remembered that this is an age-old problem ... (and that's where the similarity to this thread comes in) - if you have mapped network drives in the 'low letter range' - D:, E:, etc - I do - Win XP will 'double up' on these drive letters for a new device, and the new device doesn't work.
9) I ran disk manager (Start/Run ... diskmgmt.msc) and sure enough, there was the ipod assigned the "D:" drive letter, even though I was actively using files sitting on my network mapped 'D:' drive.
10) I changed the drive letter to M: and ... suddenly, the iPod showed up in iTunes.
Hope this helps others!
Ive checked the disk management tool and it doesnt show the extra drive in there. I assume its not mapped then. My Ipod shows "Do not Disconnect" but something weird is showing up in Device Manager and it doesnt show up in iTunes. Under "Disk Drives" in device manager, it has "Apple Ipod USB Device" with an exclamation point next to it and under "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" it displays USB Mass Storage Device". Whats up with the exclamation point before "Apple Ipod USB Device"? I checked windows for the error code, which is 39, and it just says "driver corrupted or missing". How can this be when Ive downloaded Ipod Updater and Itunes? Aaaaaggghhh! The only thing that might help is that I never received a CD wit hit due to purchasing it on Ebay. Thanks for any help!
Extra Description: Reasons for this error (39) include a driver that is not present; a binary file that is corrupted; a file I/O problem, or a driver that references an entry point in another binary file that could not be loaded.
Uninstall the driver, and then click Scan for hardware changes to reinstall or upgrade the driver. (Tired this, doesnt work)
On the General Properties tab of the device, click Troubleshoot to start the Troubleshooting Wizard. (My troubleshooter gives me some damn Active X warning and I cant see teh troubleshooter)
By the way, I use XP Pro x64 Edition.
Extra Description: Reasons for this error (39) include a driver that is not present; a binary file that is corrupted; a file I/O problem, or a driver that references an entry point in another binary file that could not be loaded.
Uninstall the driver, and then click Scan for hardware changes to reinstall or upgrade the driver. (Tired this, doesnt work)
On the General Properties tab of the device, click Troubleshoot to start the Troubleshooting Wizard. (My troubleshooter gives me some damn Active X warning and I cant see teh troubleshooter)
By the way, I use XP Pro x64 Edition.
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