I experienced the most annoying set of problems with my iPOD Shuffle today; the $70.00 gadget cost me 5 hours of troubleshooting time – alas victory is mine. The reason I was determined to make it work is because it fits perfectly into the USB port of my car deck. As I was on a quest to resolve my issues I spent quite a bit of time Googling the strange events and found very little useful information.
Problems:I installed the contents of the CD that came with the iPOD Shuffle. The CD included iTUNES 6.0 and what I will assume was version 1.0 of the firmware. I was able to synch and use the shuffle almost immediately. It is also then that iTUNES recommended an update to iTUNES 7.0 and firmware 1.1.4. I acknowledged the update. This is where the problems began.
After upgrading to iTUNES 7.0 the iPOD would connect and disconnect almost immediately. iTUNES would show Update Completed / OK to Disconnect. On the other hand, I would notice that the iPOD would disappear from ‘My Computer’ as soon as iTUNES opened. If I uninstalled iTUNES the iPOD would remain connected and allow me to copy files directly. BUT, if I tried to play them I would get no sound from the headphones; later I noticed blinking lights. Ironically it would play in my car.
I downloaded the 1.1.4 Updater from APPLE. You will find the link below. Well, I also updated to iTUNES 7.0. In that combination, the 1.1.4 Updater does not work – it tells you to use iTUNES. Well, given the original connectivity problem, I was stuck. I could not UPDATE or RESTORE iPOD Shuffle. The reason for me doing so was because of The Five Rs of iPOD Troubleshooting: Reset, Retry, Restart, Reinstall, Restore. If I tried to use iTUNES to Update or Restore I got Unknown Error 1418 after a short freeze. iPod
Issues? The Five Rs Assistant: http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/I did several Resets, Retrys, Restarts, Reinstalls, and attempted Restores but none had effect until the next series of steps.
I removed iTUNES 7.0 and installed 6.0 from the CD, then loaded the 1.1.4 Updater. That worked to Restore and Update my iPOD correctly, but the problem continued. At least it was progress.
iPOD Updater 2006-06-28 for Windows / Version 1.1.4http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/ipodupdater20060628forwindows.htmlI installed the 1.0 package that came on the CD. Now I knew I can get it back to the state it came in – and to the state it worked. I installed it directly from the CD. That worked to downgrade it, but the problem continued. I did have to remove iTUNES because otherwise it would open automatically and in turn disconnect my iPOD Shuffle.
I downloaded Updater 1.1.3 package from Apple. Installed that. Ran it on the iPOD. Installed iTUNES 6.0, restarted. It worked. So finally, I have a working iPOD – we’ll see for how long.
iPOD Updater 2005-11-17 for Windows / Version 1.1.3http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/ipodupdater20051117.htmlFinal WORKING configuration: iTUNES 6.0; Firmware 1.1.3.Machine: Windows XP Professional x64 bit edition. I hope this experience helps the rest of your. I’ve seen many people posting similar problems (headset jack not working, disconnects, unable to update, errors) and many suggested fixes like warranty, trash, etc.. Well, the good news is there may be a fix for your iPOD, or iPOD Shuffle. Just takes patience and time. Various links:iPod Issues? The Five Rs Assistant
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/iPOD Updater 2006-06-28 for Windows / Version 1.1.4
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/ipodupdater20060628forwindows.htmliPOD Updater 2005-11-17 for Windows / Version 1.1.3
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/ipodupdater20051117.html
