Dead iPod, Options?

[Gorvi]

So last night when I plugged my iPod into my PC it didn't show up in iTunes. I had just been listening to it a few moments before, then nothing. It might be the battery, but I don't know, I get no reaction from it at all, just a blank screen, no clicks, no nothing.

It's a 3 1/2 year old black 30 GB iPod video, and I'd just like to get it fixed. Problem is, Apple's site is a clusterfuck if you want to try to get product support. I don't mind having to pay to get it fixed, it's 3 1/2 years old, but it looks like I have to pay to even talk to someone? Has anyone had to try to get an iPod fixed by Apple? I'd rather not have to buy a new MP3 player at this point, it's not really in the budge, right now I'm stuck using my PSP for podcasts, which isn't exactly ideal when I use it for games too (I have to be at a save point to exit the game to listen to podcasts, I usually just leave the PSP on in sleep mode).

[Commissar Rob]

Could be a dead hard drive? I wonder if you'd be better off budgeting for a new one rather than trying to get this one fixed. Do you have a local shop that works with Apple - mine is a Connecting Point. You might give them a call and see if they can at least give you some idea of what kind of costs you'd run into.

[Gorvi]

Could be a dead hard drive? I wonder if you'd be better off budgeting for a new one rather than trying to get this one fixed. Do you have a local shop that works with Apple - mine is a Connecting Point. You might give them a call and see if they can at least give you some idea of what kind of costs you'd run into.
That's an option. I was just thinking of getting this one fixed to save some money, I don't need all the bells and whistles of any fancier MP3 player, just a large capacity to hold music and podcasts. I'm guessing there's a list somewhere with stores that deal in Apple repairs?

[BabyJesus]

ZUNE HD, on store shelves today. ;)

There are some places online that fix and sell parts for ipods, but I think they can be risky.

[total]

I've cracked open ipods and replaced batteries. It really isn't hard.

Edit: And I think Batteries Plus does battery changes.

[Gorvi]

ZUNE HD, on store shelves today. ;)

There are some places online that fix and sell parts for ipods, but I think they can be risky.
If money wasn't an issue I'd seriously consider it.
I've cracked open ipods and replaced batteries. It really isn't hard.

Edit: And I think Batteries Plus does battery changes.
I'd rather just have it done professionally, just so I don't screw it up. I think I'll try to find a local repair place and bypass Apple's mess entirely.

[Handmade.Mercury]

So you plug your iPod in, and nothing happens? It just stays off? Have you tried attempting to boot it in DFU mode?

[Gorvi]

So you plug your iPod in, and nothing happens? It just stays off? Have you tried attempting to boot it in DFU mode?
Pretty much. I had something happen like this once before, but plugging it into my car charge seemed to wake it back up again. As far as DFU mode, I have no idea what that even is. How would I go about doing it, assuming that's even an option?

[Handmade.Mercury]

Well first, let's do some other troubleshooting.

Toggle your Hold button ON, and then OFF. Then hold the Menu and centre buttons simultaneously for about 10 seconds, and respond here with what happens (if anything.)

[Gorvi]

Well first, let's do some other troubleshooting.

Toggle your Hold button ON, and then OFF. Then hold the Menu and centre buttons simultaneously for about 10 seconds, and respond here with what happens (if anything.)
Well holy shit that started it up! I'm charging it for a few minutes now, as the battery was very close to being dead, but I'll mess with it in a bit and see if it's still working. Man, you freakin' rock. Did you have a similar problem before?

EDIT: I just unplugged it real quick to check, and yeah, it works, my progress in the podcast I was listening to is still in the same spot and everything. seraphrevan, you are awesome, you just saved me a huge headache.

[Handmade.Mercury]

Yeah, try not to let your battery get too low. Sometimes, that'll freeze up an iPod and make it not want to start up normally.

No, I actually didn't have this problem with my old video, but I'm glad I could help!

[cawblen]

ahh, happy endings are nice. :p

[WhyThree]

My old B&W iPod recently bricked (Sad iPod icon) and I tried to get it fixed. If there's an Apple Store near you, you can make an appointment on the Apple website and get it looked at for free. They were going to charge me $250 to fix it because it was a discontinued hardware issue, but the consult was free. If they can do simpler stuff like resetting it, that's free too. I know you already got it fixed, but for future reference.

[Zero]

My old B&W iPod recently bricked (Sad iPod icon) and I tried to get it fixed. If there's an Apple Store near you, you can make an appointment on the Apple website and get it looked at for free. They were going to charge me $250 to fix it because it was a discontinued hardware issue, but the consult was free. If they can do simpler stuff like resetting it, that's free too. I know you already got it fixed, but for future reference.

Holy crap! $250? At that point why not just get a new one?