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ipod-faqs >> iPod & iPhone Discussions >> iPod (Monochrome)

Exclamation Point and Folder Icon

This morning I turned on my ipod on and selected a song only to have the ipod skip to the next song and then the next and then the next before going back to the menu. This happened several times so I did a hard reset. Now all I get is a folder icon with an exclamation point. I connected it to the computer and tried to do an update as Apple website suggested but it tells me the ipod is not even connected to the computer.

Now I am at a loss. What do I do next? This is a 20GB purchased 4 months ago at Best Buy.
[523 byte] By [poison] at [2007-11-9 11:48:09]
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# 1 Re: Exclamation Point and Folder Icon
Sigh. It's a sad fact that you're probably out of luck, Poison. The exclamation point is usually indicative of a corrupt hard drive.

(does no one read the FAQs at all?)
caterinka at 2007-11-15 14:17:56 >
# 2 Re: Exclamation Point and Folder Icon
If it is corrupt what do I do? I bought it in Jan and did not buy the warranty at Best Buy? Can i bring it to an Apple store or do I have to send it in?
poison at 2007-11-15 14:19:05 >
# 3 Re: Exclamation Point and Folder Icon
Yes, you can take it to either Apple or Best Buy. It has a one year warranty, so they'll probably exchange it. They might offer you a cheap trade for the newer iPod if there are none available exactly like yours.

By the way, don't cross post. I'm deleting your other threads on the same topic.
caterinka at 2007-11-15 14:20:04 >
# 4 Re: Exclamation Point and Folder Icon
Is it true I can take it there and they may exchange even without having purchased their warranty?

Again, I bought it in Jan 03. Can I still take it to the Apple store even though it's for windows?
poison at 2007-11-15 14:21:09 >
# 5 Re: Exclamation Point and Folder Icon
The iPod has a one year warranty, so Apple will either repair or exchange it. If you cracked it open on your own and poured a beer on it, they'd be less likely to honor it, though. Abuse notwithstanding, Apple is very good about honoring their warranty in my experience.
caterinka at 2007-11-15 14:22:08 >
# 6 Re: Exclamation Point and Folder Icon
I too have a bunch of songs that will not play. They just skip to the next song and then the next and then the next before going back to the menu.

This all started after I connected my new 30 gb iPod to a Mac and added some songs to it. All the songs I had loaded prior to this no longer work while the songs I loaded from the Mac (and those I added after that from my regular PC) work.

Has anyone seen this? I was under the impression that the new iPods should work on Macs and PCs but it looks like the Mac (or iTunes) corrupted my files.

Any thoughts or advice on what to do about this?

Thanks,
New User
kraas at 2007-11-15 14:23:08 >
# 7 Re: Exclamation Point and Folder Icon
my first 30g ipod, took an idump after one day. reset it 20 times, followed apples protocol and still nothing. took it in to the store in glendale, they tried to jump start it. still nothing. after 25 minutes they replaced it with a new one. NOICE!

well ipod #2 took another idump yesterday!

reset it 10 times in less then 2 days, looks like the ical feature in ipod has an ibug. gonna return it this weekend. for a full refund. :(

well i least i get a nice shirt out of it?
iPanzon at 2007-11-15 14:24:12 >
# 8 Re: Exclamation Point and Folder Icon
I had the folder show on my ipod for a few seconds, then I reset it.

After, it was fine.

So would it still be considered a problem after I reset it. considering that i DID show?
TwiSt at 2007-11-15 14:25:04 >
# 9 Re: Exclamation Point and Folder Icon
Was there just a huge bug/problem with the 4g ipods? ive always thought i just had bad luck.. but this is my 4th ipod that has gone the way of the exclimation folder/sad ipod icon.. including this last one.. that i got service return on Saturday.. and here it is.. Tuesday.. 3 days later.. and this one is done.. i just dont get it..

so now this is 5 ipods down.. 1 wheel problem.. 4 hard drive mishaps.. seriously.. i dont get it..:(
dPod10 at 2007-11-15 14:26:06 >
# 10 Re: Exclamation Point and Folder Icon
i'm another 4th gen with issues...

i've had my iPOD replaced two times in the past 6 months due to hard drive failure. it's crapped out every 3 months. i hope i got lucky this time, but i won't be surprised if i have to pay a visit to the apple store in october... :rolleyes:
aestra at 2007-11-15 14:27:07 >
# 11 Re: Exclamation Point and Folder Icon
I had my 40g do that to me after updating itunes & the ipod updater, I did get it back to normal.

What I did, uninstalled the Updater & Itunes / Re-installed everything from the original CD-Rom / Shut Down Computer/ Connected iPod and Started Computer / Ran Updater & Restore, now its still screwed but it did put my iPod Name back and I'm able to see it in itunes , Left iPod connected and go to My Computer/ iPod / Properties / Tools/ Error Checking (Check Both Boxes) and Scan ( takes a while to finish). Run Updater & Restore, everythings back to working , I run Itunes and all my music is gone, go to My Documents/Music/Itunes/Itunes Music drag to Itunes Library (again takes a while unless you don't have a lot of songs ) , connect iPod , 5000 songs all back where they belong!

I'm running windows xp pro and hp ipod.
ttundraman at 2007-11-15 14:28:16 >
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