I think I broke my iPod

[TheDoctor]

So, I tried removing rockbox from my 60gb Video iPod manually. And now when I start it back up I get a black screen that says Loading rockbox
error!
Can't load rockbox.ipod

When I restart it, it goes to the same screen, and since it won't load, it's not recognized by the computer...

What do I do?!

[Hillshum]

Flick over the Hold Switch before booting

[Llorean]

Follow the instructions on the screen. Menu+Select to reboot and immediately hold Select+Play for disk mode. Then uninstall using the Rockbox Utility.

[yngw13]

hello . I just registered to thank you for these tips.
My mini 2nd gen was consistently crashing into "do not disconnect" everytime now so I had to uninstall rockbox after the battery drain (the only way I could reboot) so I use the GUI util but only did (ironic) a COMPLETE unistall > lo and behold it crashed again   but this time to the screen indicated by the OP. I didnt read the directions in the bottom as I tried it a couple of times after reading this thread > well sometimes it would work but I either didnt do it as fast I should have or it really did take a couple of times (like a PC boot up on BIOS pressing f2) then the switching of the hold on and off made it easier only takes 2-3 secs to reboot but the trick is to time the "select+play"
EVENTUALLY > I got to the screen with a BIG check mark saying DISK MODE hooked it up the pc and BOY WAS I RELIEVED! > did the UNINSTALL BOOTLOADER and vhalla back to stock
rockbox just slowed down my ipod + slow boot +battery drain
...just could bare waiting on it > eventually it crashed enough times for me to bid it farewell

[Chronon]

It kind of sounds like you were using a very old build.  Battery life in Rockbox should be quite good these days.