iPod dies after 4 days.

[Steve Downer]

OK, so I've got a problem. I'm an iPod killer. It's the only explanation.

I purchased an iPod, 4G, 20GB b/w screen back in May '05 with my iMac G5 running Tiger. Long story short, I've gone through four- yes, that's right, four iPods since then!

The most recent was received back from Apple last Thursday. Tuesday morning it gave up the ghost. All during work Monday it froze when I put it on "Shuffle Songs". I could never get past 10 or so songs. It froze once during standard playback of my Top Rated list, not on shuffle. A reset seemed to fix it.

So this morning I put it on the dock, and a couple hours later, I look up and see that it's blinking "Do Not Disconnect" and making a familiar whining click sound. Familiar because iPod number three died in the exact same pathetic manner. I pop it off the dock, and the screen still blinks, "Do Not Disconnect". I reset it. Apple logo, then the sad iPod icon.

Rest in peace, number four.
It was using the most recent iPod software- I updated it myself- and I've got the most recent version of iTunes. I do have a couple Pixar shorts, but I haven't checked to see if they're on the iPod. All my music is either from iTunes or imported from CD. What. The. Crap.
Does this happen to other people?
Or am I all alone in my misery?

Please, please help. I haven't contacted Apple yet because I'm seriously cosidering getting something else to play my music.
Everything I've heard about the iPod is great, but in my experience, they're nothing but trouble. Is it a problem with my computer? My music? Does Apple hate me? What?
I've got a 400 Gig HD, and I've never defragged it. Is that a factor?
Anyway, help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
–Steve

[SatCure]

I've had two iPods and the only problem I've had was a smashed earphone socket caused by my dropping the iPod (several times from a great height) onto the jack. I guess I can't complain.

Defragging a Mac is not required and obviously has nothing to do with your iPod problems. My son's iPod Mini "died" but we quickly fixed that by forcing it to reboot (I forget the button sequence to do that but it's well documented).

Basically, I think it's all due to the colour of your socks.

[fryke]

It _could_ very well be one of your songs. I've heard of problems with certain files. But then again... Who knows. Either way: Have you tried everything to revive it? And: WHY oh WHY did you remove it when it told you *NOT* to? Why didn't you first unmount it on the Mac?

[Guitar Mac]

there's almost no doubt in my mind that there is a problem with one of your song files.