Desperate for iPod assistance

[wickedwritah]

Don't mean to post this here, but I've tried Googling and getting into newsgroups and everything, and still I'm about to pull my hair out stumped.

I just bought an iPod and I'm trying to plug it into my USB port. Every time it recognizes the new hardware, it also recognizes a "USB Mass Storage Device."

I go through the process of looking for drivers, etc. Then I get an error message telling me:

"There was a problem installing this hardware.
iPod.
An error occured during the installation of the device.
The data is invalid."

I have tried plugging the iPod into all of my USB ports, and I get the same result. (The ports should be USB 2.0, since I only got the computer two years ago, though I don't know for sure.)

Needless to say, iTunes is not recognizing the iPod, so I can't transfer over my four days of music, which I'ma need soon enough.

Can anyone help?

 

[PeteyPirate]

This is not relevant to the topic, but I just got a MacBook (my first Apple) and it is amazing. I am running Windows and OS X. Why did I ever have a PC? Now I need to get an iPod.

 

[21]

Just guessing, but some of the refurbished iPods are formatted for Macs...you have to convert them for PCs. It's simple, I think, if you go to the iPod site...that might be your fix.

 

[wickedwritah]

Thanks for the tip, 21, but I already checked. It's formatted for Windows.

I've spent the better part of four hours the past two days trying to figure it out, and it ain't getting any better.

 

[qtlaw]

Try ilounge.com. Great message board.

I am just a novice with my Ipod but have you loaded iTunes yet? Perhaps unless you have loaded iTunes, the ipod will just be recognized as another mass storage device.

 

[Moderator1]

Do what I did.
Get a Dell.

 

[wickedwritah]

Indeed (hi Jones!), iTunes is loaded -- the most current version, too, off the Apple Web site.

Thanks for the message board tip. Maybe I can get somewhere on this ...

P.S. Moddy -- I have a Dell. Screw Dell.

 

[Columbo]

Do what I did.
Get a Dell.

Works for me.

 

[imjustagirl2]

wicked: Moddy meant a Dell MP3 player. Like instead of an iPod.

 

[wickedwritah]

I'd rather eat my own anus than buy another Dell.

 

[Moderator1]

Again - not a Dell computer. A dell digital.
We have four in the family and all work like a charm and there's no bull**** about loading them up.

 

[wickedwritah]

I know, Mod. I just don't trust any pieces of **** Dell makes.

 

[Moderator1]

OK. But these "pieces of ****" are rock solid sturdy and work like a charm.

And they are cheaper than an iPod.

Buddy of mine said his daughter has been through several nanos, they're just not big enough to be sturdy.

 

[Gomer]

You'll probably find the answer somewhere on this site: http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/

I'd suggest running the Ipod installer software BEFORE you plug in your Ipod. Then restart your computer (something you ought to do after any software update/install), then plug in the Ipod. If that doesn't work, try uninstalling, then reinstalling Itunes and Ipod software. If that doesn't work, call Apple's 1-800 number. I've found their customer service people easy to deal with.

 

[wickedwritah]

I followed their instructions to a T, Gomer. Made sure I waited before I even thought of posting here.

I couldn't find their 1-800 number on the Web site. I'll try searching again.

 

[Gomer]

1-800-800-2775

 

[HeadFirst]

Your computer may not have the right operating system. I had to download a "service pack" to Windows 2000 to get my IPod and ITunes to run correctly on my computer...

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I heard the biggest problem with the Dell is that it just doesn't have the memory that the iPod does...

 

[Duane Postum]

To be additionally unhelpful, I agree on the Dell/rather eat my own anus proclamation, Wicked. My escape from the PC world (and most particularly Dell) and into Mac was one of the best things I've ever done.

 

[wickedwritah]

Called Apple and the phone jockey couldn't figure anything out. I even took my iPod back to the store, exchanged it for the same model and tried to install it on my PC again -- same issue, different try, even after reboots.

**** you, Steve Jobs -- or, more appropriately, **** you, Michael Dell.