# iPod won't read or be read to? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 21, 2009, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-wont-read-or-be-read-to/518399 "2009-11-21T12:15:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrobey_Mavromihalis)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-wont-read-or-be-read-to/518399/1 "2009-11-21T12:15:47Z")
Really do need help fast. Just about to go on a 5 day drive and am trying to load up my iPod Nano with stuff to listen to (mixture of podcasts and music). It won’t do it properly and gives the message in the title. I have restored it and retried, but got the same thing. It seems to have done the podcasts ok, but none of the music. Any clues? ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-wont-read-or-be-read-to/518399/2 "2009-11-21T12:50:23Z")
Not enough info to go on, but try the following options: Connect to a different USB port on your computer > **[Learn how to force restart your iPod](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204307)** > > If your iPod isn't responding, try forcing it to restart. > **[How to use disk mode on your iPod](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201544)** > > If you can't restore your iPod or it's not recognized in iTunes, try using disk mode. ---
**Author:** ![Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrobey_Mavromihalis)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-wont-read-or-be-read-to/518399/3 "2009-11-21T13:20:37Z")
Nope. Different USB doesn’t help. Reseting doesn’t help. Going to Disk Mode doesn’t help. ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-wont-read-or-be-read-to/518399/4 "2009-11-21T13:34:36Z")
I assume you’ve checked the Apple website or phone assistance for info about that particular error message. About three years ago my ipod failed and a system restore did not help. I can’t remember if there was an error message. The Apple store techs were able to fix the problem for free, but i don’t know how they fixed it. Sorry I can’t be more help. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-wont-read-or-be-read-to/518399/5 "2009-11-21T14:07:23Z")
> [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](#): > > Nope. > > Different USB doesn’t help. Try unplugging as many other USB devices as possible before hooking your iPod directly to a port on the computer, not a hub. iPods can get _very_ picky about about the quality of the bus. ---
**Author:** ![Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bcef8e/32.png) [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrobey_Mavromihalis)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-wont-read-or-be-read-to/518399/6 "2009-11-21T14:20:38Z")
Finally! Noticed that the sync seemed to be holding on one particular podcast before it gave the error message. I deleted it and tried again, and all was good. Thanks for the help all - I’m off to drive across Europe x