I get a decent amount of questions via email covering a variety of topics — Believe it or not, I try to answer everything that comes my way. I don’t know why I didn’t think of doing this sooner, but I’m going to start running selected questions and answers. Perhaps my response will be useful to a larger group, and perhaps you readers will have alternate suggestions worth considering.
First up we have a question from a long-time supporter of the site. The last time I heard from John he was debating between television models at Best Buy. We had a few back and forths and then he didn’t take my advice. Ha! This time around, I think John and I are in agreement:
I bought an 20 gig iPod 2 yrs ago but now it has some sort of – can you believe it – frown face. Apple wants $250 to “fix” it. I have all of my tunes backed up so it’s not a problem to start over. What do you recommend? Also, have you ever heard of the frown face icon on the iPod? Weird I know.
I don’t believe this symptom is unique at all. In fact a work buddy (Alexi, of PS3 fame) got a used iPod off Craigslist and has experienced a variety of issues like this.
The first step is to try reinstalling the iPod software. If you’re unable to go down that path, paying $250 for repair is insane given the pricing of current models. You could try replacing that hard drive yourself, but I wouldn’t suggest it — it requires a decent amount of effort, cash for a hard drive, and no guarantees of success. So, if we assume your iPod is junked at this point, we can try an old network administrator trick: Firmly slap the iPod on a hard, flat surface like a desk or the floor. The thinking is: If some sort of dust has gotten lodged in there and is preventing the hard drive from spinning a little gadget brutality may free it.
If neither a software restore nor hard drive “servicing” revive your iPod, it’s time to consider replacements. If you’re happy with Apple and want another iPod, you have two choices: iPod Nano or video-capable iPod. (The Shuffle is not an option.) Personally, I prefer the form factor of the Nano (I have a 4GB red one) and I think the 4GB model hits the sweet spot in terms of storage for $199. If you currently have 20GB of music, do you need to carry all of it with you at all times? And/or do you want the ability to playback (some) video? If so, the 30GB video-capable iPod runs $250… the same price that Apple quoted you for repair. With either option, you’re going to get a color screen and better battery life compared to your current iPod. Though you still won’t have a built-in FM tuner.