Basic iPod Problems- What to do?

Are you an owner of an iPod? Have you had any problems or issues with it? Yes!? Then this hub is for you!

Background Information
I am the current owner of three iPods- a 30GB Video and a 16 and 8GB iPod Touch, first and second generations. Since I've had this much experience I felt that it was time to share it with anyone who would need it. Unfortunately, everyone will encounter an error with their iPod at some point and some are due to your own error while others are caused for no apparent reason. Read through this hub and see if it helps, my only goal is to help you before sending the iPod to Apple

How Can I Help You? How Can You Help Me?
What is your problem? Since no issue can be exactly alike I am going to try to give the most rounded and best answers. I am going to try to give you some options on how to fix you iPod. If something does not make sense let me know and I will do my best to help!

FIRST- Lets learn how to restart your iPods the correct way since many people do not know how to do this and this simple trick tends to be the easiest and most simple way to fix a problem. Advice: Don't just try this once, do it a few times, sometimes it needs the extra "push".

iPod Touch (any generation)- hold the power and the round center button for 10-15 secs. The screen should flash and then go blank. Turn the iPod back on and then the Apple logo will come up and then the iPod will go through its normal boot processes.
Literally, all other iPods- hold the menu (top button) and then the center button for about 10-15 secs. Once again, the screen should go blank. When you turn the iPod back on the Apple logo should come up. Then the iPod will go through its normal boot processes.

SECOND- One thing that many people do not understand is the difference between a Restart and Restore. THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!! I have seen too many people mess these two up with the ultimate consequence.
Restart- This will restart your iPod and fix about 95% of any issues that are on it. If you do this you should not lose any data, music, pictures, apps, anything- everything should still be there.
Restore- This will restore your iPod and it is usually one of my last resorts. You WILL lose all data, songs, pictures, apps, everything if you choose this option. You will need to put everything back onto the iPod.

*Now for the most FAQ's

Can't Sync?
The manual way to copy songs- Connect your iPod and go to the library section. Highlight the songs you want copied. When they are highlighted (you can hold down ctrl to highlight more than one song at once) drag them to your iPod icon "your iPod name" and drop the songs in there. (If you have the newer version of iTunes a small red bubble will come up and display a numerical value of songs that you are copying to your iPod. It's small so you aren't going to get a dialog box or anything.)

The Automatic way- Go to you iPod icon "your iPod name" and click that. A main menu will show up. Now click the box that says "sync automatically".

Is the time changing on the iPod every time you connect it to the computer?
This can get to be very annoying, however, it is an easy fix. You can either manually change it on the iPod itself by going into Settings->Clock. Or to overall, cure the issue you will need to open up the date/time on your desktop and change the time there. Usually this can be done by right clicking where the time is on your desktop and the option to update date/time will appear.

Is your iPod turning back on when the hold button is on?
Are you actually pressing or sliding the hold button? I know this is a dumb question but it needs to be addressed.

First the location of the hold button on all iPods are on the top left. This button slides to the right but on the iPod Touch the button is a push. On all iPods except for the Touch an orange background will appear when the hold button has been initiated. On the iPod Touch there will be an audible "Click"ing sound.

How to turn off your iPod?
For iPod Touch- Hold down the hold button until the slider comes up that says Power off. Slide it to the off position.
For Older iPods- To turn off your iPod hold the play/pause button until you get a slight flash and then a black screen. Make sure you see that flash otherwise its not really off. (Its a slight flash, it will be fast.)

Can’t connect to Wi-Fi?

First, verify that the device is enabled and that it is connected to the Wi-Fi network You can do this by- tapping Settings> Wi-FI. If the Wi-Fi is turned off, turn it on by sliding the On/Off icon. Also check to make sure you have any available networks- these will appear under “Choose a Network...”. Now locate the network you would like to join. However, some networks require a password to join and these are password- protected Wi-Fi networks and they are indicated by the padlock icon. If you receive an error while trying to join make sure to type slowly and that it is the correct password. Hint* if you cannot “Join the network” then the password is too short. Now to check the connection0 you will see the Wi-Fi signal strength in the status bar or the Wi-Fi menu. If you only have a single bar or you still cannot locate the network: move closer to the access point or router and avoid potential sources of interference such as microwaves, concrete walls and etc. If you have a strong Wi-Fi signal but still cannot access the Internet verify the Wi-Fi network you are using by making sure you are connected to the right network and check the cable connection- try restarting the router. If none of this works try to reset your network settings, tap Settings > General, then scroll down and tap Reset> Reset Network Settings. If none of these work try updating your software and/ or update your Wi-Fi firmware.

Having Issues with an Application?

Verify your system requirements by checking the system requirements in the App store. Check your software version by using Settings> General> About. Now make sure to update your applications. This can be done by going into iTunes and select Applications in the left column. The available updates will appear in the lower right of the iTunes window, otherwise you can click on “Check for Updates”. If this proves to fail restart your iPod. If you’ve narrowed it down to a particular application then delete the application and you can try to reinstall. If none of these work report the application by opening the App store and locating the Application and then scrolling down and tap “Report a Problem”. *Note: Some of the information contained above has been explained in other sections of the Hub. 

Did someone "early eject" your iPod by ripping out the usb cord?
This usually happens to everyone, somehow a pesky dog or relative comes by and manages to pull out the cord while you are trying to sync your iPod.

Since the new software has been updated 90% of the time the iPod will be fine, however, if its not then reset the iPod. If this does not fix the issue then the device will need to be restored. * In the rare case that that too does not work then it will have to be sent to Apple. The iPod's hardware has probably been fryed.

Trying to eject your iPod but receiving an error? such as "The iPod cannot be ejected because it contains files that are in use by another application".

This means what it says and that your iPod is being used by another program. Try closing out of iTunes, if this works, you're lucky. My advice: ctrl+alt+delete -> this will hopefully close all programs that are running, if this doesn't work shut down the computer. Don't pull out the iPod as that can erase the data- hopefully by shutting down the computer all you did was force the iPod into a forced restart hence, saving all the data.
*** I cannot promise anything good or bad with this situation, however I can tell you that I have never had a problem doing it by this approach.

How to download Applications/ Music directly to your iPod Touch and not your computer?

Turn on the device and tap the icon that says App Store or iTunes. When it opens search and find whichever application you would like, tap onto it, tap install (some applications you have to pay money for) and it should install directly onto your iPod. If it does not make sure you have wi-fi enabled and that you are connected. The only time this wouldn't matter is if you have an iPhone, all you need is service, internet and a data plan. This also applies for music.

How to transfer the songs, that were downloaded onto my computer onto my iPod?
Open up iTunes, connect the iPod, and hopefully a box will come up that says "Transfer songs from iPod to Computer", click yes. If this does not come up find the particular song on the iPod and drag it into the main library on the computer.

How to move Applications and how to delete them from the iPod Touch or iPhone?
Open up the home screen on the iPod, find the application that you want and touch it and hold onto it, soon after the icons will start to wiggle, this allows you to be able to move them to different home screens and to even delete them. To delete them just tap the "X". However, eventually you will need to delete the application from your computer too if you do not want it ever again. To do this, start up iTunes and find the tab that says "Applications" find the application you do not want and press the "X" this will delete it permanetly. My Advice: If I paid for the application then I will never remove it from my computer.

Now lastly, the iPod went for a swim?
This happens to the best of us whether it be the washer machine, pool or a puddle. However, fixing this depends on how much damage there is, how lucky you are and time.
After, you discovered your iPod submerged in water DO NOT TURN IT ON! I understand it is instinct but you can and will fry your motherboard and hard drive if you do this.
SOLUTION: First dry out the outside surface of the iPod. Next go get dry rice (like whats in the bag of "success" rice, although I suggest better) and put it in a air-tight jar. Put the iPod in there and wait about two to three days. The longer you wait the better of a chance the iPod will be ok. When you've waited long enough turn on the iPod. Unfortunately, if the iPod doesn't work then the damage was too extensive and unless you have an extended warranty, ie. Apple Care then Apple will not fix it.

*** Do not blame me if some of this information does not work. I have done all of it and it has worked. If that is enough convincing for you then do it.

I hope that this information was helpful to anyone who needed it. If you have any questions about how to fix your iPod please feel free to comment or send me a message. I would love to add more to this, especially if you did something different from what I said and it worked for you. Thanks everyone!!!