Hold switch on:

Before delving into the guts of your iPod, check to make sure the hold switch isn't activated. If the hold switch is on, the iPod will ignore any input on the click wheel and refuse to do anyting. If your iPod's problem isn't so easily solved, read on.

 

Drained/bad battery:

If your iPod won't turn on, especially if it has not been used recently, you may simply have a drained battery. Plug your iPod into your computer or AC adapter, and see if anything happens. Ideally your iPod will recognize it has been connected to a power source and charge its battery. If it will no longer charge, the battery must be replaced. We sell batteries for both 30 GB and 60/80 GB video iPods

 

Bad logic board:

If your iPod does nothing when plugged into a computer, the problem most likely lies in the logic board. We stock logic boards, and we offer the instructions for installing them.

 

Bad display:

It is possible that it appears nothing is happening because the display is bad. If you hold the iPod up to your ear you should be able to hear the hard drive spinning. If the iPod sounds like it is working properly but nothing is visible, it is possible the display is bad and must be replaced.

 

Bad click wheel connection:

If the click wheel is not seated correctly, it is possible that the iPod will not boot. Be sure that the bar on the click wheel is completely flipped down to ensure a positive connection.

 

Bad headphones/speakers

It's unlikely your headphones or speakers are bad, but it's worthwhile to eliminate these as the source of your problem at the beginning. Try your iPod with another set of headphones or speakers just to make sure that the problem is with the iPod.

 

Bad audio jack:

The most likely cause of audio output problems on iPods is a bad audio-out jack. We sell the thin (30 GB) and thick (60/80 GB) headphone jack & hold switch combinations, and we offer free guides for replacement.

 

Corrupted software:

Sometimes, a reset and restore will fix a sad iPod. Connect your iPod to your computer and use iTunes to restore the iPod. Restoring the iPod will erase everything on it, so make sure everything on the iPod is stored elsewhere prior to restoring. Sometimes it may be necessary to restore the iPod several times before it works properly.

If you are unable to restore your iPod using iTunes, you can hard reset your iPod. 5th generation iPods can be hard reset by booting while holding the menu and select (center) buttons. This should result in a quick dark screen followed by the standard apple boot graphic.

Bad hard drive:

 

It is also possible that the sad iPod icon is caused by a bad or poorly connected hard drive. If no information is being sent to the iPod from the hard drive, it makes the iPod quite unhappy!

Bad battery connection

Another potential issue is the battery's connection to the logic board (a bad battery should not cause this error, however). To test this, carefully detach the battery and re-connect it to the logic board.

Bad logic board:

If restoring the iPod and diagnosing the hard drive and battery connection does not fix the problem, the sad iPod is likely caused by a problem with the logic board. There's not much to troubleshoot here. Basically, the only option is to replace the logic board.

Bad hard drive or cable:

One of the best methods to diagnose a failing hard drive is to listen to the drive. If you put your iPod up to your ear, you should hear a smooth-sounding whirr of the hard drive spinning. Any loud clicking or grinding sounds may mean that your iPod's drive is failing. If you don't hear anything, the drive is not getting power or is very damaged and can't spin up. In this instance, re-connecting or replacing the hard drive cable first is a good idea. Then, if the problem persists, replace the hard drive.

Note that video iPods have unique connectors, and only specific hard drives will work in them. The thin video iPods use 30 GB drives, and the thick version uses 60 GB and 80 GB drives.

Bad logic board

This is likely the cause, and the logic board must be replaced.