formatting an ipod shuffle

nevinenigma · 04-16-2005, 08:57 AM

This might be an odd thing to see on these forums but I got an ipod shuffle today and it wouldnt work, it kept ejecting itself out of itunes and then it wasn't being read as an ipod. Now the computer won't even read the thing so I can't restore it, I think something on the ipod's firmware was corrupted. I think if I could just format the drive then the computer would be able to see it then I could load on the firmware. Is there anyway to force the computer to see it and to format it(via usb2.0 on WinXP sp2)? I've tried help at some ipod forums but no luck, so I thought I'd take the technical route. If there isn't a way to force winxp to see it I also have a windows me machine that will read it, however ipod doesnt work with winos's under 2000 and xp so it just shows up as a usb device and not a drive.

Trizoy · 04-16-2005, 05:32 PM

Imnot an ipod guru but i found this...

"Restore" erases the hard disk and restores iPod to its original factory condition. Because Restore erases all of the songs and files on the hard disk, make sure to back up your songs and files first.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983

I also found this

"This is waiting to be posted, but I'll show it here anyways:

I've been messing around with different filesystems on the iPod since I have been reading rumors that it can support other filesystems. I've tried HFS, WIN16, and the Unix filesystem that Mac OS X has. None of these things ruin the ipod - I always could restore it back (I did partition it also, and the German site is incorrect, it is very possible to restore it back - Use Disk Utility and/or iPod Restore). The iPod would start up fine for each format, but would display the wrong capacity. iTunes couldn't copy to it either if it saw the drive.

So in other words, it doesn't work, and It doesn't show an "!" on a Folder icon like the above poster says."
http://www.ipodhacks.com/modules.php...pic=37&forum=2

And one more link on reformating...
http://www.ipodhacks.com/modules.php...pic=83&forum=1

Good news: "All you need is the iPod Updater and no matter what condition the drive is in, it can be returned to its factory default settings."

Hope it helps

rars222 · 04-16-2005, 06:54 PM

There is a TON of great info on the iPod forums. You can access them thru iTunes.com

nevinenigma · 04-16-2005, 08:24 PM

I know about restoring, it is what I want to do, however my pc won't recognise the ipod shuffle at all, if there was a way to force it to recognise it then I would be able to restore it.

rars222 · 04-16-2005, 10:13 PM

http://discussions.info.apple.com/we...zW.0@.68a37f48

There are some very helpful people...

nevinenigma · 04-16-2005, 10:52 PM

I'm installing xp on the ME machine(needed the upgrade anyway), then I should be able to fix the shuffle.

04-16-2005, 08:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
nevinenigma Silver Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 119	formatting an ipod shuffle This might be an odd thing to see on these forums but I got an ipod shuffle today and it wouldnt work, it kept ejecting itself out of itunes and then it wasn't being read as an ipod. Now the computer won't even read the thing so I can't restore it, I think something on the ipod's firmware was corrupted. I think if I could just format the drive then the computer would be able to see it then I could load on the firmware. Is there anyway to force the computer to see it and to format it(via usb2.0 on WinXP sp2)? I've tried help at some ipod forums but no luck, so I thought I'd take the technical route. If there isn't a way to force winxp to see it I also have a windows me machine that will read it, however ipod doesnt work with winos's under 2000 and xp so it just shows up as a usb device and not a drive. Last edited by nevinenigma; 04-16-2005 at 09:02 AM.

04-16-2005, 05:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Trizoy VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mountain View, Ca Posts: 4,681	Imnot an ipod guru but i found this... "Restore" erases the hard disk and restores iPod to its original factory condition. Because Restore erases all of the songs and files on the hard disk, make sure to back up your songs and files first. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983 I also found this "This is waiting to be posted, but I'll show it here anyways: I've been messing around with different filesystems on the iPod since I have been reading rumors that it can support other filesystems. I've tried HFS, WIN16, and the Unix filesystem that Mac OS X has. None of these things ruin the ipod - I always could restore it back (I did partition it also, and the German site is incorrect, it is very possible to restore it back - Use Disk Utility and/or iPod Restore). The iPod would start up fine for each format, but would display the wrong capacity. iTunes couldn't copy to it either if it saw the drive. So in other words, it doesn't work, and It doesn't show an "!" on a Folder icon like the above poster says." http://www.ipodhacks.com/modules.php...pic=37&forum=2 And one more link on reformating... http://www.ipodhacks.com/modules.php...pic=83&forum=1 Good news: "All you need is the iPod Updater and no matter what condition the drive is in, it can be returned to its factory default settings." Hope it helps Last edited by Trizoy; 04-16-2005 at 05:34 PM.

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04-16-2005, 06:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
rars222 Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NY Posts: 131	There is a TON of great info on the iPod forums. You can access them thru iTunes.com

04-16-2005, 08:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
nevinenigma Silver Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 119	I know about restoring, it is what I want to do, however my pc won't recognise the ipod shuffle at all, if there was a way to force it to recognise it then I would be able to restore it.

04-16-2005, 10:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
rars222 Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NY Posts: 131	http://discussions.info.apple.com/we...zW.0@.68a37f48 There are some very helpful people...

04-16-2005, 10:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
nevinenigma Silver Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 119	I'm installing xp on the ME machine(needed the upgrade anyway), then I should be able to fix the shuffle.