Comments on: macbook doesn't recognize ipod

Question: macbook doesn't recognize ipod

Manhasset — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 10:15:50 -0800

Plugged my iPod into my MacBook, the iPod lights up and then... nothing happens. WTH?

I have an 80 gb iPod and an iMac. They work together fine. However, the iMac's currently in the shop so I plugged my iPod into my MacBook to charge and the iPod lights up and then and nothing happens. It doesn't charge, it doesn't appear on the desktop... nothing. What gives?

I tried it with the laptop running, with it closed, in the firewire slot, in both usb slots, and with multiple usb cables...

Any suggestions?

By: willnot

willnot — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 10:21:33 -0800

If you launch iTunes, does it see the iPod at all? If you launch Disk Utility, does it see the iPod?

By: rsanheim

rsanheim — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 10:22:27 -0800

You don't have Parallels or other virtualization software running, do you?

By: Manhasset

Manhasset — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 10:35:27 -0800

iTunes and Disk Utility don't see it.

I am not running any virtualization software (though I own Parallels, it's off).

By: thinman

thinman — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 10:54:42 -0800

You might try resetting it; doing so fixed some weird problems with my Nano. To reset, hold Menu and Select down at the same time for about 5 seconds.

Resetting doesn't delete your music.

By: peppermint22

peppermint22 — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 11:24:39 -0800

try just leaving it plugged into the laptop for a while - say, an hour. When this has happened to me in the past it was because the battery on the ipod was very low and needed to charge a bit before it would resume functioning.

By: peppermint22

peppermint22 — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 11:30:21 -0800

Here is the Apple page on the ipod fully discharged problem I have experienced... they say "it may take up to 30 minutes for iPod to have enough charge to turn on and be recognized by the computer and iTunes."

By: Manhasset

Manhasset — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 14:04:48 -0800

Thanks peppermint. It was about 1/4 charged so I don't think that was the issue. Also, thinman, I'd tried rebooting it and the laptop prior to asking the Q so that wasn't it. Thanks, though.

So, I ran Software Update and it found a firmware update for the MacBook and I installed it. Now everything works fine. Weird.

Thanks, all!

By: filmgeek

filmgeek — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 18:09:12 -0800

next time, make sure to check system profiler (apps-utilities). this will scan your usb/firewire ports for attached items.