Quick way to test an iPod Nano?

July 5, 2006 5:53 AM

I'm about to buy a used iPod Nano. Any combination of buttons I can press to test this thing out on the spot? The seller's a stranger.

I know on a full-grown iPod you can run a test on the hard drive like scan disk. Anything similar for the little version?

posted by Manhasset to technology (6 comments total)

You'll want to run the iPod through the diagnostic tests described here.
posted by mds35 at 6:13 AM on July 5, 2006 [1 favorite]

I doubt the technologies are that different. You can mount the nano as a disk, so you should be able to do all the things you can do on a full-sized one.
posted by beerbajay at 6:14 AM on July 5, 2006

Thanks, mds35--do you know if that test will test the flash ram the way the diagnostics test the HD on the full size models?

beerbajay, I won't be near a computer.
posted by Manhasset at 6:25 AM on July 5, 2006

Sorry Manhasset, I don't know the answer to that question. You may want to skim the support discussion boards at Apple.com to see if someone has answered that question.
posted by mds35 at 6:40 AM on July 5, 2006

I just did this on my 2g nano, here is the diagnostic menu:

FiveInOne
KeyTest
FlashScan
PowerTest
WheelTest
TouchWheelID
Playback
Linein
Status
HD_Specs
PatternTest
SleepShort
Reset
posted by nomad at 9:29 AM on July 5, 2006

It looks like FlashScan is what you're looking for. Search for Flashscan here
posted by nomad at 9:41 AM on July 5, 2006