If your iPod displays a sad face / icon it is usually not a good sign. In most cases, the sad icon indicates a more serious hardware problem. You can try this…

Test your iPod by manually placing it in disk mode. If this works it is not a hardware problem. To place your iPod in disk mode…

• Toggle the hold switch on and off
• Press and hold the 'Menu' and 'Select' buttons until the Apple logo appears on your screen.
• When the logo appears, release the 'Menu' and 'Select' buttons and immediately press and hold the 'Select' and the 'Play/Pause' buttons until the 'Disk Mode' screen appears.

Visit Our Sponsor

Updating And Restoring iPod Software If Your iPod Displays A Sad Face

Use iTunes 7 or later to update or restore your iPod http://www.apple.com/ipod/download -- opens in new window. Apple periodically updates iPod software to improve performance or add features. It is recommended that you update your iPod to use the latest software.

Open up iTunes when its installed. Click on users iPod under 'Devices'. You’ll see information about your iPod under the 'Summary' column. Under 'Version' click on the 'Restore' button.

Note: This works for Fifth generation/later iPods and Second generation/later nano's.