iPod 5g 30GB doesn't mount or charge?

[tgreathead]

I'm a mac based user, 10.4.10.

I just bought a used 30GB 5th gen iPod with RockBox version r13728-070628. I thought I'd just uninstall RockBox and restore it for use as an original iPod. I have been able to boot in RockBox and the original Apple OS and it charges fine using my old firewire cable but using the USB cable shows no signs of life.
I know the dock connection works because it charges with the firewire. I also have an Alpine receiver in my car that has full iPod integration that works with it fine. The first time I plugged it into my laptop the "Do Not Disconnect" screen came up for a few seconds, the iPod rebooted itself into RockBox and since then it shows no signs of the cable even being connected: no mounting, no charging, nothing.

The RockBox software seems to work fine until I play a song. It plays for a few seconds then I get an error "Undefined Instruction at 03B5210C" and its frozen. Resetting it brings it back to RockBox or, while flipping the Hold button, back into the Apple OS but nothing seems to get it to connect to my laptop. I've tried several other computers too with no luck.

Any ideas?

[tgreathead]

UPDATE:
I accidentally rebooted it holding down just the Play/Pause key and a new screen I've never seen before popped up.

It reads:

Rockbox boot loader
Version: 1.1
IPOD version: 0xFFFFFFFF
TOSHIBA MK3008GAL
Partition 1: 0x0B 28521 MB
Loading Linux...
Error!
Can't load Linux.bin:
File not found
Hold MENU+SELECT to reboot
then SELECT+PLAY for disk mode

Does that mean something, since it says it can't find the Linux file?

[scorche]

When you hold that button while booting, that tells the bootloader to try and boot iPodLinux, so the bootloader is searching for the linux kernel.

[bluebrother]

You need to update the bootloader to run current Rockbox builds -- looks like the Ipod came with an outdated bootloader but updated build.

And holding the Play button upon boot tries to load IPL from a file. Of course this only works if you have IPL installed.

[tgreathead]

You need to update the bootloader to run current Rockbox builds -- looks like the Ipod came with an outdated bootloader but updated build.

And holding the Play button upon boot tries to load IPL from a file. Of course this only works if you have IPL installed.

As far as I've read I need to be able to have my iPod mounted on the computer I'm going to use to update the bootloader but I can't seem to get the iPod to connect at all. If I use a PC is it possible to do it without 'mounting'' the iPod?

Thanks for the help guys

[bluebrother]

you don't need to mount the data partition in order to update the bootloader -- the PC needs to recognize the Ipod of course. Changing to emergency disc mode (by holding Play + Select upon powerup) will always work as this is hard wired and cannot be changed by Rockbox. You need to reset the Ipod to leave emergency disc mode. The FAQ holds some links to Apples knowledge base about these issues.

[tgreathead]

you don't need to mount the data partition in order to update the bootloader -- the PC needs to recognize the Ipod of course. Changing to emergency disc mode (by holding Play + Select upon powerup) will always work as this is hard wired and cannot be changed by Rockbox.

Just tried that on a PC here at work with an updated version of iTunes, bootloader, etc. No different.
The only other thing I can think of is the Apple OS has been modified, it has a Supper Mario Brothers theme. Maybe something in that modification messed it up but I find it hard to believe it could mess it up just right so that it still charges with the Firewire cable and still works fine on my Alpine receiver. So weird.
I have an appointment at the Genius Bar at a local Apple store tomorrow, I'm just gonna play dumb and hope they can wipe the whole thing.
Unless there's any other ideas...
Thanks

[tgreathead]

Well, I'll never know what was wrong. Took it to the Genius Bar at an Apple store, they couldn't get it to work so they gave me a new one