Restoring your iPod on a PC
A step by step guide to performing an iPod restore operation to a PC
The iPod restore operation is intended for the regular iPod with a hard drive, and won't work for the flash-based iPod Shuffle.
There are two variations for restoring the iPod. The first we'll cover is how to perform the iPod restore on a computer. We'll then look at how to do the iPod restore on that close facsimile of a computer they call a Mac.
Windows XP and Windows 2000
Warning: Hopefully you've had the foresight to backup the entire contents of your iPod before you started having troubles. The restore will wipe out your iPod's hard drive, so there will be nothing saved after this operation is completed properly. If you haven't backed up recently, this is a good time to start.
First, it's important to have the latest version of the iPod updater application installed on your computer. You can obtain iPod Updater's latest version here.
Erase your iPod. This mini-step before the actual update and restore operation is important. You should perform this step if you're planning on selling your iPod.
- Connect your iPod via USB
- Go to My Computer (on desktop)
- iPod should be listed as a removable drive. Right click on the iPod
- Select "Format", choose FAT 32 as the format
- Format progress will be indicated. Once it's done, reboot your computer
Now you're ready for the Update.
- Locate the Updater application on your PC: Start - Programs - iPod
- Select the iPod Updater option with the most recent date in its file name
- Make sure the iPod is available on the computer (check My Computer to see if the removable drive is present)
- Click "Restore". An alert pop-up box will appear asking you to confirm, choose yes.
- Let the progress indicator run its course
- Now close the iPod updater. The screen on the iPod will dictate your next step
- If it shows a progress indicator and an Apple logo, let it run its course
- If you get the AC adapter icon on screen, disconnect the iPod from the computer and use the wall outlet adaptor that came with it. This is how you will have to complete the update
- If you had to use "Disc Mode", the screen should show "Ok to Disconnect". After you disconnect you should reset the iPod
Now that the iPod Update is complete, if it's not already connected to your computer do so now. If you have to connect it now, depending on how iTunes is setup, you may need to run iTunes or it will automatically try to synchronize with your iPod (if left as default). If the update has been performed correctly and the iPod is now empty, the iTunes Setup Assistant should start. First you'll be required to name the iPod, then your iPod will synchronize with iTunes.
Once the synch with iTunes is complete you have a restored iPod and it should be right as rain. The iPod has been restored to factory settings and your iTunes library is now restored.
Enjoy the music.