Reformatting an iPod
May 18th, 2006 at 3:00 PM - Tips by Jeff Gamet
After applying the iPod updater 2006-03-23 to my 4GB iPod nano, I found that its firmware was hopelessly scrambled, and no amount of cajoling on my part, or Appleis iPod experts, was able to bring it back to life. Lucky for me, my nano was still under warranty, so Apple replaced it without any fuss or hassle. When my replacement iPod showed up in the mail, it was formatted for Windows, and did not go through the usual process of resetting itself when I plugged it into my Mac.
Since I need my nano formatted for Mac OS X, I had to force it to reset myself. Hereis how:
- Make sure you have the latest iPod Software Updater application installed on your Mac. You can download it from here.
- Launch the iPod Software Updater application. Itis in Applications > Utilities > iPod Software Updater.
- Plug your iPod into your Mac.
- Click the Restore button.
- Enter your Administrator name and password to verify that you want to reset your iPod to factory settings.
- After the process finishes, a dialog asks if you want to quit the updater and launch iTunes. Go ahead and click the Quit button.
- Your iPod will automatically reset itself to work on your Mac.
![]() Click the Restore button in iPod Updater to reformat a Windows iPod for your Mac. |
|---|
The reason I needed to format my iPod is because the iPod shuffle is the only model that works correctly with a Windows format in iTunes on a Mac. Other people reset their iPod because it isnit working reliably, or because they are selling it.
Remember: Resetting your iPod to factory defaults deletes every file, song, and picture from your music player. If your iPod has important information on it, be sure to back everything up before resetting it.
Recent Headlines - Updated November 10th
- Mon, 7:20 PM
- Rumor - Apple May Update iPod touch in December
- 6:45 PM
- Product News - MacUpdate Desktop Updated to 5.0.1 with New Features, Bug Fixes
- 5:16 PM
- Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.6.2 - Guest Account Bug Fixed, Much More
- 4:12 PM
- Games - New For iPhone: Star Rangers, Air Force Supremacy, Blood Beach, More
- 2:51 PM
- Apple Stock Watch - Radio Shack Jumps 14% on iPhone Deal, Apple Up 3%
- 2:25 PM
- Games - EA Scoops Up Social Games Publisher Playfish
- 1:51 PM
- Deal Brothers - Western Digital 1TB SATA Intellipower Hard Drive: $84.99
- 10:58 AM
- News - StarHub Signs Singapore iPhone Deal
- 10:36 AM
- Hot Forum Topic - Reader Speculation: What’s in Apple’s Tablet?
- 10:08 AM
- News - Apple Kicks Off New Credit Program
- 9:26 AM
- News - Apple Launches Reserve and Pick Up Program
- 8:49 AM
- News - ikee Worm Rickrolls Jailbroken iPhones
The Mac Observer Reader Specials
- TypeStyler For Mac OS X is Now Shipping! Download The Free Fully Functional 60 Day Tryout at www.typestyler.com
RamJet Memory: Mac Pro 8-core 8GB Kit $199.99, 4GB Kits $109.99! Sale on MacBook and MacBook Pro 8GB kits $549.99! New MacBook DDR3 2GB for $49.99. iMac and Mac mini 4GB Kits for $79.99! 1TB SATA Hard Drives for $109.99! Click here
OWC: Mercury On-The-Go FW800+USB2 up to 1.0TB. Bus Powered, no external power supply needed. Macworld Editors Choice, CNET Very Good Starting from $99.97, 500GB $159.99. Click here
If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out Full Tilt Poker for Mac. This Full Tilt Poker bonus code does the unthinkable, it actually rewards!For the latest Apple products use Ciao, a price comparison website, to find laptops like MacBook Air. Then find the best prices on MP3 players and use our comparison tool to evaluate mobile phones like the Apple iPhone.
Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.


