More iPod Problems Addressed
Your in depth iPod troubleshooting guide
Let's look at a few common questions people have about the iPod. In the first part of our iPod FAQ, we covered the most common questions. Here, we'll get into the evasive actions you can take when met with some of the obscure icons that occasionally appear when using your iPod.
My iPod screen went completely black, what do I do? My iPod screen is getting dark after several minutes of play help!
This is iPod's "black screen of death" and should occur only when the iPod is still brand new. You should send it back to Apple and get a replacement because your unit is defective. The "black screen" indicates that your iPod is overheating and there is no procedure that will take care of this.
Is it true that my iPod's battery will only last 18 months and the iPod must be discarded after this period has passed?
No. 18 months might be when the battery fails because it's a Lithium ion type, and is only good for two to three years or approximately 500 charge cycles. You should know that Apple will replace your internal battery for a reasonable cost even for older iPods. Use Apple's support for out of warranty iPod battery replacement.
How do I reset my iPod?
For a complete iPod reset explanation check out the iPod Reset. However, here is the quick answer: If it's a new iPod (4th gen or greater) hold down the menu and center (select) buttons down at the same time for 6 - 10 seconds. If it's an older iPod, i.e pre-4th generation, simply hold down the pause / play and menu button for about 6 - 10 seconds.
In each case, the iPod is reset when the Apple logo comes into view.
How do I get the iPod into Disk Mode?
For a complete explanation of Disk Mode, what it is and why you'd want to know check the iPod Disk Mode page [iPod Disk Mode].
Resetting your iPod
Fourth generation iPod or greater: Hold down the FastForward and Rewind buttons at the same time for about 10 seconds. Less than fourth generation (1st - 3rd): Hold down the menu and play / pause buttons at the same time for about 10 seconds.
Less than fourth generation (1st - 3rd): Hold down the menu and play / pause buttons at the same time for about 10 seconds.
Why is the iPod making funny sounds when switching to a new song?
This issue was a bit of a controversy with older iPod's, such as those that are pre-4th generation. There have been complaints of scratchy sounds or static through the headphones, as well as whirring sounds like the disk spinning up. It's probably a defective iPod and the problem will probably surface when the iPod is still new. You should watch very closely for it and see if you can take it back to the retailer for an exchange. Apple's support is reported to sometimes deny such a problem exists and may not replace the iPod's due to this problem. Be persistent when dealing with support of any kind, particularly Apple. Do some homework before calling support with this problem and try to identify when it does this and when it does not. If you can describe the sound problems in detail, Apple or the retailer will be more likely to hear your case and provide you with an exchange.