Ipod 4G Greyscale...will not respond

[mad dan]

Blast! I should have read these pages before.

I have just bought an Apple-Refurbished 4G & I am experiencing exactly the same probles as "Topic: 4G Grayscale :: Won't turn on or charge  (Read 1416 times) "

I notice that this thead is quite old & so I would like to ask if there has been any progress in overcoming this glitch?

Are we saying that this is an unsurmountable problem, in which case the implication is that Rockbox is not a usable option on this machine?

If so it's a pity, because the sound quality on my OGG files is vastly better than my H320 or (now deceased) gigabeat!

[GodEater]

Usually a hard reset (Hold switch to on, then to off, then keep Menu+Select pressed for about 30 seconds) will get it to repond visually again.

Alternatively, you may need to charge it for 48 hours+. And leave it alone whilst it's underdoing that charge period. Don't keep "checking it" to see if it's helped.

Finally, take it back to apple if all that doesn't work. If it won't turn on, and they refurbished it - it's their responsibility to make it go again.

[mad dan]

Thanks,
The hard reset does work after 2 or 3 tries. A bit time-consuming every morning!!

Ref 48-hour charge - I'm doing this now:
Is this a permanent fix, or do I always have to charge it for 48?

[GodEater]

Ref 48-hour charge - I'm doing this now:
Is this a permanent fix, or do I always have to charge it for 48?

If you can get the thing up and running with the hard reset, it suggests the 48 hour charge is not necessary at all. That's only required if you've run the battery down to near zero charge.

The problem you're experiencing is a bug with Apple's bootloader code (which is stored on the flash inside in the iPod, and is not something Rockbox ever touches. You *might* have some luck if you upgrade the firmware on the ipod through itunes (and then you will have to re-install  the rockbox bootloader with rbutil). But it also might not help.

Sorry to hear you're having such grief - my own ipod does this sometimes, but it's very very rare (like, twice in 3 years.)

[mad dan]

Thanks for reply.

I've been offered a replacement player by seller but I'm not convinced that it will be any better!

If I do this, I suppose I should uninstall Rockbox to avoid any "unpleasantness" with Apple ref their warranty?

[GodEater]

We're a little touchy about the subject of warranties - we're really not into helping people out with defrauding Apple (or any other supplier). What you choose to do with your ipod before you send it to apple is your affair, and yours alone.

[mad dan]

Understood.