There are several diagnostic tests that you can do to see if your iPod has a hardware problem. It is nice to turn to the built-in Diagnostic Mode on your iPod to verify hardware problems. First you have to reboot your iPod and then putting it into Diagnostic Mode. Make sure to keep in touch is off. You can do this by sliding the switch away from the headphone jack. Jiggle it, without being sure. You can reset your iPod, press and hold a few buttons simultaneously for about 10 seconds. Hold the "Menu" and "Play / Pause" buttons down if your iPod is 1G to 3G. If you have iPod 4G, press and hold "Menu" and "Select". If your iPod has been reset, see the Apple logo, and feel the spinning of the hard disk. Now press and hold these buttons: "REW", "FFW" and "Select" for iPod 1G to 3G and "Back" a
nd "Select" for iPod 4G. If your model is a 3G or more, you should hear a bird singing sound and the Apple logo should pop up backwards. You have now reached the mecca of Diagnostic Mode. Remember that your scroll wheel will not work when you're in that state. Using "REW" and "FFW" you can look through lists of tests to see which one you might need.
If the iPod is older, there are some tests you can run on 1G to 4G's. The 5 in 1 will run five separate testing at one time to include LCM, SDRAM, RTC, FLASH / CHECKSUM. AMD FOREWORE / FW identifier. For 3G iPods, you will hear a jingle when the test is complete. RESET will tell you if your iPod can reset. AUDIO test will check the iPod audio subsystem. If you have a remote control REMOTE will test it. Make sure your iPod is plugged in, or you will get "RMT FAIL" on your screen. FIREARE will check the FireWire port. You want to see "FW PASS". SLEEP will give your iPod a break, but you need to reset your system to revive it. To test your iPod's power, run the A 2 D test. You will get different results based on where the iPod is getting its power from a battery or electrical outlet. If you scroll wheel gives you fits, run I. OTPO CNT test. To ensure that the screen works correctly, run the LCM test. You must keep hold "Select" button to have it run through several patterns. RTC test will test real-time clock in your iPod. To test the iPod RAM memory, run the SDRAM test. If you need to find out what firmware version you have on your iPod, simply run the FLASH test. The OTPO or Wheel A2d will test the analog to digital input on your iPod's scroll wheel. After this test, reset your iPod. Want to know if you have a healthy hard drive? Make HDD Scan. The RUN IN test will test the chipsets non-stop. Once you have completed all necessary tests, reset your iPod to get it out of Diagnostic Mode.
The newer iPod test names are easier to understand and will not leave you looking for your nerd dictionary. The MEMORY test will test the SDRAM, Iram, and FLASH memory. The SDRAM is the RAM memory test, which may take a few moments. You want to see "SDRAM OK". FLASH test will let you know where you iPod stands in flash memory. COMMS The test will let you know how the ports are doing. You will know if your remote is not connected to your iPod, if you get a NG, or no good result for the HP headphone port. The Wheel Test will test the key and wheels. LCD test will test the colors, patterns and gradients of your LCD. To test your hold switch, you will do the headphones Detect test. When you own an iPod, you will be sure that you've protected your investment. An iPod is not cheap and neither is your music downloads. Keep your iPod in top operating condition by learning a few things you can do at home instead of paying someone to fix it.
