Shocker: Apple/iPod support sucks

[SpookyPistolero]

My wife has an iPod nano 3rd gen. The damn thing won't turn on. It will however turn on when you hook it up to a computer. But then it only stays on for about ten seconds.

I looked up 'resetting' the ipod by holding down two buttons for a while, but this didn't fix anything. The apple website is about as useless as I'd expected.

Anyone know to whom you would send a busted ipod? Anyone already know what is needed to fix it? Or how much a repair would cost?

I looked up her serial number on the site as well and it reports that 'it isn't qualified for repair or phone support'. Wow, thanks.

I f'ing hate apple.

 

[dpusser]

Get a battery from ipodjuice.com. They have great battery replacement instructions and it is only around 40 bucks for a new battery. I have done it and and as long as you are slow and careful you should have your wife fixed up in no time!

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Ooo, nice site! Thanks a bunch.

 

[IVANKERLEY]

when i had a problem i couldnt resolve myself i'd take it to the apple store and they should have a tech guy (genius bar) usually pretty helpful, had to lug my imac in there a few years ago and also had an ipod freeze up, the guys were nice and helpful.
i would suggest this course of action first, apple 1yr warranty rocks but chances are a 3rd gen ipod nano you might be outta luck.
i'm still chugging along in my 1st gen click wheel, i need new toys
best of luck
ivan (apple fanboy since 92)

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Is it a 1 yr warranty normally? She says she's had this for almost exactly 1 year.

I think the only apple store is in Louisville (don't really fell like driving all the way up there for that).

 

[dttomcat]

I had a computer problem and lost my itunes library off my hard drive. Nearly $600 worth of Apple product between the ipod and the itunes I bought from the itunes store for a buck a piece. When I tried to call tech support for assistance in re-syncing my player it seems as though you have to pay for tech help. Not sure what the fee is but I hate being nickel and dimed like that.

 

[IVANKERLEY]

Is it a 1 yr warranty normally? She says she's had this for almost exactly 1 year.

I think the only apple store is in Louisville (don't really fell like driving all the way up there for that).

when my ipod died it was still under the 1 year standard apple warranty (i didnt buy any extended warranty, etc) i took it to apple store they confirmed it was dead and i walked out with a replacement this was a few years back i hope things havent changed
ivan

 

[hwpaintballer]

I know you said you tried resetting it, but did you put it on hold take it off of hold and then hold down menu and the center of the click wheel until you see a white apple appear.

 

[Harry Callahan]

I recently purchased a MacBook (after long hours of research) and the tech support has been amazing in my experience. Not that I've really needed much. Just simple "where's my order" questions and such. But every time I've called in to the customer service department, the phone is promptly answered after a few automated prompts and the person that answers usually speaks accent-free english. They're like, Americans or something. How strange is that? I did call for actual tech help once, after doing something woefully stupid (trying to boot with Ubuntu) and my Mac wouldn't boot on it's own anymore. I freaked. The tech dude was very helpful and my Mac was back up and running in zero time. Good luck with the Ipod issue. When I had a prob with my Ipod I simply returned it to Wally World and they gave me a new one. Cheers.

 

[IVANKERLEY]

is everything up to date on the nano? is it on a pc or a mac?
silly question but is it fully charged? sounds like you already tried resetting...make sure its not on hold when you try your reset... also try plugging it into the computer and resetting... dunno, man
let me know how it goes, i did a google but its hard to trouble shoot when i'm not holding it in hand
hope it goes okay
ivan

 

[ChadHahn]

It sounds like your battery might be completely dead. I have had this problem with my iPod a few times. Just plug it in and leave it for a few hours. It should get enough of a charge to start back up.

Chad

 

[Mountainman38]

My wife has an iPod nano 3rd gen. The damn thing won't turn on. It will however turn on when you hook it up to a computer. But then it only stays on for about ten seconds.

I looked up 'resetting' the ipod by holding down two buttons for a while, but this didn't fix anything. The apple website is about as useless as I'd expected.

Anyone know to whom you would send a busted ipod? Anyone already know what is needed to fix it? Or how much a repair would cost?

I looked up her serial number on the site as well and it reports that 'it isn't qualified for repair or phone support'. Wow, thanks.

I f'ing hate apple.

You don't understand. If it's an Apple product, it can't break. Can't malfunction, easy enough for a baby to understand, lasts forever, is only used by the most beautiful people.......

Fortunately my wife's iPod is still working. As far as iTunes goes, though -- that's about the most hideous, poorly designed, unhelpful bit of software ever foisted on the public. Probably just because I'm a simple PC user who thinks you should be able to drag and drop files. NO! That's way too complicated....

Hope you get your iPod woes straightened out.

 

[IVANKERLEY]

You don't understand. If it's an Apple product, it can't break. Can't malfunction, easy enough for a baby to understand, lasts forever, is only used by the most beautiful people.......

Fortunately my wife's iPod is still working. As far as iTunes goes, though -- that's about the most hideous, poorly designed, unhelpful bit of software ever foisted on the public. Probably just because I'm a simple PC user who thinks you should be able to drag and drop files. NO! That's way too complicated....

Hope you get your iPod woes straightened out.

whoaaaa why all the hating on apple, i might just start thinking you PC guys are out to get me Apple isnt perfect and lord knows itunes has issues but i have had nothing but positive experiences with apple since '92
wheres the love

So spooky get anything resolved?
ivan

 

[Mountainman38]

whoaaaa why all the hating on apple, i might just start thinking you PC guys are out to get me Apple isnt perfect and lord knows itunes has issues but i have had nothing but positive experiences with apple since '92
wheres the love

So spooky get anything resolved?
ivan

Apple may have good products -- haven't used a Mac for years -- but iTunes sucks. If it's any indication of what Apple has to offer with it's other software, you can keep it!

 

[T.K.C.]

I am sorry that you are having issues. I hope you get it resolved.
I have never had a problem with Apple or it's warrantee.

 

[IVANKERLEY]

Apple may have good products -- haven't used a Mac for years -- but iTunes sucks. If it's any indication of what Apple has to offer with it's other software, you can keep it!

and having played on my wifes vista laptop i intend to indeed keep my macs

hope spooky has gotten something resolved
ivan

 

[tedwca]

Apple may have good products -- haven't used a Mac for years -- but iTunes sucks. If it's any indication of what Apple has to offer with it's other software, you can keep it!

You can drop and drag in iTunes. Name something that works better and is cross platform.

 

[enderwiggin]

Apple may have good products -- haven't used a Mac for years -- but iTunes sucks. If it's any indication of what Apple has to offer with it's other software, you can keep it!

Right, because Microsoft's music player is just such a better program.

I don't like the warranty on iPods either. It seems like Apple considers them disposable products, i.e. by the time the battery life drops off, they just assume the users are about ready to buy the latest and greatest iPod.

This is becoming a trend with them, and they're shifting more toward Boutique-edition than the well-designed, quality built products they've put out in the past. The trend worries me.

I also don't like the number of "I've used Apple computers for a year! I'm a Mac expert!" idiots they hire at the "Genius" bar, but you can find some knowledgeable people there too.

Anyway, it sounds to me like like you just have a straight-up dead battery. There are more than a few online places that will swap it out for $40.00, or you can pay Apple to do it.

Have you called Apple at 1800 SOS APPL yet?

 

[Mountainman38]

You can drop and drag in iTunes. Name something that works better and is cross platform.

Windows Explorer.

Good thing Apple realized the importance of being able to use Windows, and is making Macs capable of running it. Might keep them in the computer game for a few more years....

Right, because Microsoft's music player is just such a better program.

What does this comment have to do with how well iTunes works?

I think the iPod itself is a fine piece of equipment. I've watched movies and tv shows on it, and listened to music just fine. It's getting stuff on and off of it that's a pain.

Maybe the Zune is a second-rate piece of equipment with a miserable interface, too. All I know is that I spent quite a bit of money on my wife's iPod, and am dissapointed with iTunes now.

 

[tedwca]

Pretend iTunes is the iPod and drop and drag your files from Windoze Explorer onto itunes. Then connect the ipod and let it sync. If you don't like auto syncing set the ipod to manually mange songs and add or remove them by dropping and dragging. It's fool proof. If my 72 year old computer illiterate father can use it, anyone can.