The Mac Observer

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.

  • Related Entries
  • Email This
  • Tweet This
  • Jeff Gamet on Twitter
Login. Need an account? Register here.



Auto-login on future visits

Show my name in the online users list

Forgot your password?


Commenting is not available in this section entry.
 

Recent Headlines - Updated November 22nd

Fri, 7:07 PM
Games - Soccer Sim Championship Manager 2010 Released for Mac
6:47 PM
Games - EA Publishes Original Monopoly for iPhone
6:15 PM
News - Original Apple I on Ebay for $50K, w/Letter from Steve Jobs
6:11 PM
Games - New iPhone Games: Secret of the Lost Cavern Ep 1, New DJ Nights, More
5:47 PM
Games - Star Trek D-A-C Game Headed to the Mac Next Month
4:57 PM
Product News - TidBITS Releases “Take Control of Syncing Data in Snow Leopard”
4:26 PM
John Martellaro's Blog - Particle Debris (week ending 11/20) Stationery Pads Go Poof
2:59 PM
Free on iTunes - Musée du Louvre, Art Lite, SketchBook Mobile X and More.
1:50 PM
Deal Brothers - Acer P215H bmid 21.5” Widescreen LCD Monitor:  $139.99
11:24 AM
TMO Appearances - Jeff Gamet Shares More Holiday Gift Ideas on MacJury
10:43 AM
Product News - Cocktail 4.5 for Leopard Adds QuickLook Cache Clearing
10:06 AM
News - Hack Enables Mac OS X 10.6.2 on Netbooks
 

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

  • Buy Stuff, Support TMO!
  • __________
  • Macworld Expo 2010 Hotel Deal
  • TMO on Twitter!

Apple Stock Quote

  • AAPL: $199.92. Change: -0.59.
  • (Prices delayed up to 20 minutes.)
  • Discuss in our Apple Finance Board

Hot Topics

TMO Express

Join the TMO Express Daily Newsletter to get the latest Mac headlines in your e-mail every weekday. Find out more!

Top Deals From DealBrothers.com

Recent Features