Did you know that you could possibly repair your own iPod? Why spend the money to send it out for repairs, or worse yet, go and buy a new one. From blank screens to problems making connectivity, or even if you can’t hear sound from your iPod, you can find out about your own iPod problems. If you are having iPod problems, try some of these simple steps to diagnose your iPod problems and see if these will repair your iPod.

You will need to switch your iPod into test mode, and here is how you do this:

• You need to press and hold the “Menu” and “Select” at the same time for approximately 10 seconds. This will reset your iPod.
• When you see the Apple logo and feel the hard drive spinning up, press and hold “REW” and “Select” at the same time. Your iPod will give a “chirp” sound and the Apple logo will now appear backwards. You are now in the diagnostic mode on your iPod.
• The diagnostic tests will NOT damage or corrupt your data. Your music, photos, playlists and videos will all remain intact. (I assume no responsibility if they don’t!).
• It will be a good idea to plug your iPod into the wall charger since some of the following test can take awhile and use a lot of battery life.

Once you are ready to begin the iPod diagnostic problem solving, you can run the following tests in either Manual Mode by pressing “Menu” or in Automatic Mode by pressing the “Back” button. Once the tests are running, you can cancel them by pressing “Menu” at any time.

If you run the Automatic Mode tests, these are the tests that will run:

NTF

• Graphic self test
• SDRAMQuicktest
• Checksum
• RTC
• USBtest
• Keytest
• Wheeltest
• Headphonedetect
• Accessory Test
• ChargeADC
• Backlight (brightness)
• Color

Memory

These test will check your iPod Flash memory, SDRAM and IRam to make sure that they can read and write (like a spelling test).

• SDRAM is the RAM memory test. The complete test will take several minutes and if it is successful, you will see a message like “SDRAM OK.”
• IRAM: This takes several moments to load before running a quick test and rebooting your iPod.
• FLASH: Performs a test of your iPod’s flash memory to make sure it is OK.

IO

• Comms: This tests the communication ports of your iPod including USB, FireWire and Remote. If the Remote is not connected to your iPod at the time of the test, you can expect a NG (no good) for the HP (headphone-port). You should be ok with this part of the test, unless you have been having problems with the headphone port.
• Wheel: This option has two tests, Keytest and Wheeltest. Push each button once to pass the Keytest. The Wheeltest just gives you a coordinate of where your finger is on the Click-Wheel.
• LCD: This option also has two tests, one for Color which will run through a series of colors, gradients, and patterns. The second test is for the Backlight feature. The Color test will run through a series of colors, patterns and gradients which you will see displayed on your iPod screen.
• HeadphoneDetect: This test checks the Hold Switch and Headphone port.
• HardDrive: Includes four tests and uses lots of power, plug your iPod into wall power for this one.
  • HDSpecs responds with the unique specifications on your iPod, everything from hard drive temperature to serial number.
  • HDScan - This is a good test to see what the condition of your hard drive really is. It will also scan your iPod hard drive to see how fragmented it is. This test can take a few minutes, so go take a bathroom break.
  • HDSMARTData - used by professional repair technicians, not much else to say.
  • HDRW tests the ability of your hard drive to read and write data. A FAIL result probably means you need to get your hard drive replaced.
• Audio: This is another test with two parts. Playback plays an audio sample to make sure your iPod can produce sound. MIC tests your iPods ability to record audio.

Power test

• A2DTests: This test has a few sub tests.
  • PhilipsID checks the power system of your iPod
  • A2D lists a series of analogue to digital

Status

Displays the status of your iPod’s main systems.

• Sharp: LCD screen
• HP: headphones. Are they connected? [0 = no, 1 = yes]
• FWPWR: FireWire power. Is your FireWire cable charging your iPod?
• USBPWR: USB power. Is your USB cable charging your iPod?

System Configuration (SysCfg)

This test will list some important information about your iPod’s hardware version, serial numbers, and part number. You’ll need this information if you send it to Apple for repair or try to get parts for your own repair.

Just remember, if your iPod is still in warranty, send it back. Don’t try to fix it yourself or you will void the warranty.