Firewire Card

[oliegirl]

With my bad knee, radii bought be a firewire adapter card to use on my laptop so I can update my iPod from downstairs (since I can't go up stairs right now - or for the foreseeable future). I got it installed, and the computer recognizes the card, but when I plug in the iPod, nothing happens. I don't get the "do not disconnect" screen, and the "Julie's iPod" icon doens't appear in iTunes (the one you click to update the iPod). Does anyone have experience with these cards and can help me get this working???

[ice4277]

did you install the IPod software on the laptop?

[oliegirl]

Yes, I think so :) I went to the apple website and downloaded iTunes - is that different than the iPod software? Radii installed it on the upstairs computer when we bought it so I don't know what all is involved...

[Easy Mac]

Yeah, its different than the ipod software.
http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/

[oliegirl]

I feel like a total idiot - but I think (hope) that is what it was! I had to download Service Pack 4, so I am just now downloading the iPod software, but hopefully that will fix it. :)

[oliegirl]

Nope - that didn't do it. I got the iPod software installed and ran the exe program, even rebooted, but still nothing when I plug in the iPod...no change to iTunes and nothing on the screen of the iPod to show that it even knows it's connected to a computer. Any other ideas???

[Easy Mac]

If your Windows PC does not recognize iPod when you connect it to the computer's FireWire or USB port, follow these steps.

This document is for Windows PC users. If you have a Mac, see iPod doesn't appear in iTunes or on my Mac desktop (http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n60950) instead.

iPod appears in Windows Explorer but does not show up in iTunes or iPod Updater You may also see an "iPod Service Error" alert or a "Please Reinstall iTunes" message. Go here (http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n93716) if you see one of the above alerts.

System Requirements Make sure your computer meets the system requirements (http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n60971) to use iPod for Windows.

If an exclamation point and folder icon, or sad or "unhappy" iPod icon appears on the screen or iPod appears in My Computer, but not in iTunes. If the iPod appears in My Computer, but does not appear in iTunes or if an exclamation point and folder icon, or sad or "unhappy" iPod icon appears on the screen, then follow these instructions (http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61771).

Formatted for Windows iPod for Windows Software only recognizes iPod for Windows. You cannot use iPod for Macintosh with a Windows PC. To see which model of iPod you have, follow these instructions (http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61672).

High-power USB 2.0 Port and iPod mini, iPod (Click Wheel), and iPod photo If you're connecting an iPod or iPod mini to a Windows PC using the USB cable, be sure you're connecting it to a high-power USB 2.0 port. Typically, USB 2.0 high-power ports are located directly on your computer. If the computer has a FireWire connection, try using that instead. Typically, USB 2.0 high-power ports are located directly on your computer. Try another USB port on the computer if the iPod is still not recognized.

You can also connect iPod mini to a self-powered USB 2.0 hub that's connected to a high-power USB 2.0 port on your computer.

If you're connecting an iPod or iPod mini to a Windows laptop computer using the USB cable, connect the laptop to a power outlet before connecting iPod.

WHQL-Certified IEEE 1394 Card Make sure the FireWire (IEEE 1394) card in your computer is a Windows-certified FireWire card. The card must be Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certified. If it is not, the iPod may not be recognized, or you may not be able to send music to the iPod. If you are uncertain about the card's certification, look at your FireWire card's inbox material or contact the manufacturer. A listing of WHQL certified cards is available at the Windows Hardware Compatibility List website (http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/search.mspx/). Enter All Products in the Search For field and from the Product Categories pop-up menu, choose 1394 Controller. Then click the Search Now button.

Tip: Windows XP information is not listed on the initial search screen, but is listed when you click on an individual card.

Apple also has a list of cards (http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n93405) that have been tested by Apple with iPod and Windows XP.

Try the card with a different FireWire device, if possible.

Apple sells FireWire cards that are compatible with iPod at the Apple Store (http://www.apple.com/store/).

Connections Verify all cable connections.

iPod Charged or Getting Power iPod must be charged or getting power from the FireWire bus (http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61676) in order for your computer to recognize it.

Try a Different Port If another FireWire or USB port is available, try it. If you are using FireWire and have a USB cable to connect to the iPod, try using USB instead. If you are using USB and have a FireWire port and cable to connect to the iPod, try using FireWire instead.

Tip: iPod will not wake when you connect to a 4-pin FireWire port. You must press select (center of wheel) on the iPod to wake it from sleep.

Only Device Make sure iPod is the only device on the FireWire bus in case there is a conflict. If you have more than one iPod, only connect one to your computer.

Restart Computer Restarting your computer can sometimes help.

FireWire Card recognized by Windows Make sure Windows recognizes (http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61712) your FireWire card.

Reset iPod Resetting (http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61705) iPod can sometimes help.

Conflicting 3rd-party software Some third-party software (like security software) may prevent your computer from recognizing the iPod. Try adjusting the settings of such software or temporarily disabling the software.

Restore iPod Restore iPod (http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n60983). Warning: The restore process cannot be undone. All of your songs and files will be deleted. Always keep a backup of your important data.

Software Installed/Reinstall Make sure the iPod for Windows software is installed from the iPod for Windows CD that came with iPod. Verify that the iPod Watcher appears in the system tray. Reinstall (http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61669) the iPod for Windows software.

Reformat the iPod in Windows Disk Management Warning: The formatting process cannot be undone. All of your songs and files will be deleted. Always keep a backup of your important data.

Note: Due to a 32 GB FAT32 limitation of the Format utility in Windows XP and Windows 2000, you cannot format a 40 GB iPod as FAT32. If you try to format a 40 GB iPod in Windows, a message reading "Logical Disk Manager: Volume size too big" will appear. More information is available from Microsoft in "Limitations of the FAT32 File System in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314463)".


Open the Control Panel.
Open Administrative Tools in the Control Panel window.
Open Computer Management from the Administrative Tools window.
Choose Disk Management in the Computer Management Window. The iPod appears as a removable disk in the list.
Right-click the drive, and select Format.
Choose FAT32.
Click OK.
Restore iPod (http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n60983).
Try another computer If another computer is available, verify that the same issues happens with the other computer.

Service If after following these steps your computer still doesn't recognize iPod, see the iPod Service Website (http://depot.info.apple.com/ipod/) to arrange for repairs.