This is the order in which, according to Apple, one should go about attempting to solve a glitch in your iPod. If one fails, you move on to the next. So, a visual guide for number one (in Step Two you have to press both buttons at once and hold them down till you see the apple):

Number two just means: “Play it again Sam” (like plugging it into a different usb port in your computer)
Number three means: Restart the computer.
Number four means: Reinstall the software (preferably the latest iTunes version)
Number five deletes everything in your iPod so, so only do this if you really need to
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/index.html
…..Good Luck!

Album art is part of the fun of buying a CD. Would’nt it be great if you can have that same artwork in iTunes and your iPod? If you buy songs from the iTunes stores, they will come with the art, but if you download tracks from other sites, sharing it with friends etc., the album art might not be included. Let’s have a look how to add the album art to the tracks that don’t have it automatically.

…..Your Album Art area is visible in iTunes on the left corner (it is the small square area). If you can’t see it, press the right bottom of the four bottoms that are located on the bottom left.
…..Next, select a song that you’d like to add album art to. There are various ways to add the album art into iTunes.
If you have a scanned image as a file on your hard drive, drag it into the Album Art area from Windows Explorer (PC) or the Finder (Mac).

…..If you do not have the image on your computer, search for it on the internet. There are a few good websites where you can find good artwork. (http://www.amazon.com, http://www.walmart.com, http://www.allmusic.com) On Amazon, search for the album you’d like, and click on “see larger picture” for a suitable image file. If you found the desirable image, drag it into iTunes as you did with a scanned image, simply by dragging it from the website into the iTunes album art are (the square on the bottom left).

…..If you don’t like the drag-and-drop method, just use the following technique from a website:
Right-click (command-click on the Mac) on a track (or tracks) and select “Get Info.”
Open the “Artwork” tab. Click the “add…” button. Have fun designing your iTunes.

…..For a bigger view of your album art, double click on the album art area. You can do that either with the “selected song” or with the song that is “now playing. To switch in between them, click on the little arrow on the bar above the Album Art area in the bottom left corner of iTunes.

…..Some songs have multiple album art files, which can be stored on one track. To add another image file, simply drag it on top of the existing one. In the bar above the album art will appear arrows, which allow you to switch images.

How to tell which model you have

Several external features can help you identify your iPod.

iPod classic

The iPod classic is a hard drive-based iPod (80 GB or 160 GB) featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. Like other models, it uses USB for syncing. The iPod classic is available in silver and black, and has an anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel enclosure.

You can distinguish the iPod classic from the iPod (5th generation) by the last three digits of the serial number. The iPod classic serial number’s last three digits will be one of the following: Y5N, YMU, YMV, and YMX.

iPod nano (3rd generation)

The iPod nano (3rd generation) is available in 4 GB or 8 GB capacity, and comes in 5 colors.

iPod nano (3rd generation) is distinguished from previous iPod nano models by:

• Its wider screen
• Hold switch location on the bottom
• Its ability to play video

You can also distinguish the iPod nano (3rd generation) by the last three digits of the serial number. The iPod nano (3rd generation) serial number’s last three digits will be one of the following: YOP, YOR, YXR, YXT, YXV, YXX.

iPod (5th generation late 2006) (also known as iPod with video or Fifth Generation iPod)

You can distinguish the iPod (5th generation late 2006) from the original iPod (5th generation) by the last three digits of the serial number. The iPod (5th generation late 2006) serial number’s last three digits will be one of the following: V9K, V9P, V9M, V9R, V9L, V9N, V9Q, V9S, WU9, WUA, WUB, WUC, and X3N. The Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod (30 GB Late 2006) serial number’s last three digits are W9G.

iPod (5th generation) (also known as iPod with video or Fifth Generation iPod)

The iPod (5th generation) is a a hard drive-based iPod featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. Like iPod nano, it uses USB for syncing and comes in white and black.

iPod nano (Second Generation)

iPod nano (Second Generation) is distinguished from other models by:

• Its smaller size.
• Its colors.
• The dock connector and headphones port are both located on the bottom of the unit.

The iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition is an iPod nano (Second Generation) available in red and with a 4 GB or 8 GB drive capacity. With each iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED purchased, $10 from the sale goes directly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.

iPod nano

iPod nano is smaller than iPod mini and has a color screen and a Click Wheel but has flash memory instead of a hard drive. Song and photo syncing only occurs over USB 2 (not FireWire). iPod nano comes in white and black. The capacity of the iPod nano is engraved on the back of the case (1 GB, 2 GB, or 4 GB).

The dock connector (1) and headphone jack (2) are both on the bottom of the iPod nano.

iPod shuffle (2nd generation)
iPod shuffle (2nd generation) is smaller than the original iPod shuffle and has no USB connector.

iPod shuffle
iPod shuffle is smaller than iPod mini and has no display. There are LED lights on the front and back. The capacity of the drive is engraved on the front USB connector.

iPod mini is distinguished from other models by:

• Its smaller size.
• Its colors.
• The Hold switch, which is on the top-left side.

  

• The Click Wheel’s button labels, which are on the wheel itself.

  

The iPod mini (Second Generation) models are distinguished from the original iPod mini models by:

• Hard drive size engraved on back of unit.

  

• Click Wheel text color matches iPod mini (Second Generation) color
• Click here for more differences.

iPod with color display
iPod and iPod photo are now one and the same, with every white iPod boasting a full-color display. They continue to have the same controls as iPod (Click Wheel) but now all models have a color display like iPod photo - ideal for viewing album artwork and playing slideshows. These are considered fourth generation models along with iPod (Click Wheel).

iPod (Click Wheel)
iPod (Click Wheel) models have a Click Wheel like the iPod mini, but are larger and the hold switch is on the top-right side. iPod (Click Wheel) models have a monochrome display. iPod (Click Wheel) is referred to as the fourth generation iPod.

iPod Special Edition U2
The iPod Special Edition U2 is a standard iPod model with certain external differences including: Black plastic exterior, red Click Wheel, signatures of the U2 band members engraved on the back, and “iPod Special Edition U2″ engraved on the back. The first model was based an iPod (Click Wheel) with a 20 GB hard drive. In June 2005 a new version of the iPod Special Edition U2 was introduced that was based on an iPod with color display Generation iPod . These are both also considered fourth generation iPod models. In June 2006, a new version of the iPod Special Edition U2 was introduced that is based on a Fifth Generation iPod (also known as iPod with video) with a 30 GB hard drive. In Sept 2006 a model based on the Fifth Generation iPod (30 GB Late 2006) was introduced. You can distinguish Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod (Late 2006) from the Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod by the last three digits of the serial number. The Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod (30 GB Late 2006) serial number’s last three digits are W9G.

iPod Special Edition Harry Potter
The iPod Special Edition Harry Potter is a standard iPod model with the Hogwarts Crest engraved on the back:

The first model was based an iPod with color display with a 20 GB hard drive. In October 2005 a new version of the iPod Special Edition Harry Potter was introduced that was based on an Fifth Generation iPod with a 30 GB hard drive.

iPod photo (also known as iPod with color display)
iPod photo models are functionally and visually identical to the iPod with color display (see above photo).

iPod (dock connector)

iPod (dock connector) models have a dock connector as illustrated here.

Newer iPod models like iPod (Click Wheel) and iPod mini also have a dock connector, but the iPod (dock connector) has a touch wheel instead of a Click Wheel and the four control buttons are above the touch wheel. iPod (dock connector models are referred to as third generation iPod models.

iPod (touch wheel)

All iPod (touch wheel) models have a FireWire port cover. Scroll wheel models don’t, and dock connector models don’t have a FireWire port. The iPod (touch wheel) model controls look similar to the iPod (scroll wheel) but the touch wheel itself does not turn. iPod (touch wheel) models are considered second generation iPod models. The top of an iPod (touch wheel) model is shown here:

iPod (scroll wheel)

iPod (scroll wheel) models have a scroll wheel that physically turns. The controls (Play, Menu, Next, Previous) appear in a circle around the wheel. iPod (scroll wheel) models are referred to as first generation iPod models.

Probably the most common type of iPod/iPhone repair involves the replacement of their batteries. While some batteries may fail with a year or less of use, more typically batteries last anywhere from one to three years. Customers often ask me, “What causes my iPods battery to die?”. And thats a fair question. iPods use a type of battery technology called Lithium ion. Lithium ion batteries have a limited lifespan of between 300 and 500 charge cycles. A complete cycle is using your iPod/iPhone from a full charge, all the way to when the iPod/iPhone shuts off when the battery is completely drained. Assuming you are someone who uses your iPod/iPhone everyday, or nearly everyday, 300-500 cycles will get you anywhere from one to three years of usage. Super heavy users may wear out the batteries in a year or less, and your grandmother who listens to Elvis once a week might take 5 years to reach 300 cycles. What I usually tell customers is that your iPods battery should last at LEAST one year. If not, I would consider it defective. The same goes for our replacement batteries. In addition Lithium ion batteries should be conditioned regularly. What do I mean by conditioning? Lithium ion batteries can suffer from a strange affliction whereby crystals can develop in the unused portion of the battery. Lets say for example that you fully charge your iPod everyday and then use its battery halfway the following day and repeat charging it. The 50% that is always charged will begin to develop crystals which will limit that portion of the batteries ability to properly and reliably provide power. To prevent this, regularly fully discharge your iPod/iPhone and completely charge it up. This is not necessary everytime you use your iPod/iPhone, however this should be done at least once a month. Even simple maintenance such as what I just explained can help you to see a noticeable increase in both battery life and battery longevity. Please continue to check back regularly for more articles on keeping your iPods and iPhones in tip top shape, preventing problems, and fixing issues when they do occur.

…That shiny new 80 or 160gig iPod may seem like a tempting candidate for a handy portable hard drive. And it can be, if used properly. There are several things to remember when using iPods in this way. The first of which is the fact that the drives used in iPods do not seem to be designed for heavy data use, such as the drive in your PC/Mac Desktop or Laptop. Those drives have been designed for the constant reading/writing that a modern computer must do, day in and day out. The drives used in iPods however seem to have been designed more for the task at which they are used the most, which is being filled up with music (an intensive date writing session), and then being spun up and read continuously for the duration of their operating life (several years on average). Even when being used exclusively in read mode (when playing music or videos on your iPod), the iPod and its drive utilize a data buffer in the form of a flash memory module. What happens is, your iPod’s hard drive spins up, transfers the song you select, and the following songs/videos into the buffer until the buffer is full. Then the drive stops and your iPod runs off the flash buffer until you select a new song or video outside the buffer, at which point the process repeats. In this way, the drive is not constantly running, therefore putting less strain and more importantly for the operation of a portable device using less battery power than if it were running continuously.

.Next to worn out batteries and broken hard drives, the most common malady facing iPods is broken lcd screens. Unlike some other components in iPods, the screens don’t break themselves. A broken screen is always the result of some form of misuse or neglect. There are some iPod models that are much more susceptible to screen damage. These include the 1st generation iPod Nano, and the iPod with video.

…..The 1st generation iPod Nano is a marvel in miniaturization, however that miniaturization came at a cost. The Nano in a departure from its predecessor the Mini, is made of plastic (with the now familiar silver back plate). What the Nano lost in comparison to the Mini is a great deal of resiliency and strength. The Nano, being so thin, and being made with plastic, has a tendency to flex when bent. The tiny, super thin glass LCD screen inside will crack with the slightest flex in the iPod. What we recommend to minimize the likelihood of your iPod breaking is to purchase a strong hard plastic or metal case for your iPod Nano, this will give it the additional support and strength it needs to stand up to daily use, and abuse. iPods with video, are also very susceptible to screen breakage. The main reason for this is the fact that the lcds on iPod videos are much larger than previous iPod models. The larger the screen, the higher the chance of breakage. Commonly we receive iPods that have been in a gym bag, or purse and have come out broken. Things such as women’s makeup, books, keys, anything hard, when knocked against the iPods screen in the right way will break it. Again the best and really only way to help prevent the screen from breaking is to buy a sturdy, high quality case for your iPod. Very, very few of the iPods with broken screens that we have received have been in cases.

…..Moral of this story….a few dollars investment in a high quality case, can save you a lot of money a screen replacement down the line.

…One of the first symptoms of a dying battery is a shortened charge time (less play per charge, so to speak). However, there is another possible reason for such decrease.

…..The internal component that requires the most energy to run is not really the screen but the hard drive. That is due to the fact that it has mechanical parts -moving at a high speed. One of the factors that can make it spin more than necessary is called fragmentation -which means that instead of occupying one continuous chunk of space on the disk, a file (say, a song) is split into several different pieces throughout it. This happens because, as files get written and deleted, they do not get reorganized to take over the freed up space (like in a liquid medium) -but they leave a number of ‘holes’ where they used to be (sort of like in a brick wall) -holes that have to be used by the new files, even if they’re not large enough for them, occupying several to fit in and thus ending up split. Eventually, the number of files that are ‘cut’ this way grows larger and larger, requiring more and more battery power to get read, and so lowering the amount of plays that you can get per charge.

…..There are two radical solutions for this issue, one involves iTunes (bringing all your iPod’s songs into your computer and doing a restore so that they get written in a continuous and orderly manner ), the other, a little less dramatic, involves using a disk defragmenting program, such as Disk Warrior, that can achieve pretty much the same result.

…..It is a time consuming process, but definitely one you should try before deciding to replace your battery.

So, you got the dreaded folder or sad face icon on your iPod? Apple support, and various other iPod resources around the web tell you to first try to “restore” your iPod. The restore function is found within iTunes and is available from the iPod pane when your iPod is plugged in. But what exactly happens when this mysterious button is clicked? And more importantly, what can it, and can’t it do? (more…)

So, you woke up this morning to find your iPod with a sad face. “Poor little guy” you say, “what happened?” iPods who upon being turned on flash either the Sad iPod face, or the folder icon usually have suffered from either hard drive failure, or a bad motherboard (logic board). But how can you tell which? (more…)

Firewire vs. USB. Those of you who are fervent Mac or PC users will likely have strong feelings one way or another on this age old debate. Which one is better? Well which one is better in a general sense is not so important to this article, but rather which one is better when it comes to your iPods. Some iPods can only use USB, while some can only use Firewire. First a brief explanation of each.
(more…)