This document is for Windows. If you have a similar symptom but have a Mac, click here.
There are several possible solutions to an issue where you may see your iPod in My Computer, but not in the iTunes Source pane. Start at the top and work your way through the steps until your iPod works with your computer.
Important: If you do not see iPod in My Computer, go here for help.
Install the latest version of iTunes
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download
If you run into trouble installing iTunes, go here.
Arrow Restart the iPod Service (Click for more)
1. Quit iTunes.
2. Right click on My Computer/Computer and click Manage. If Windows requires your permission to continue, click Continue.
3. Click the plus symbol to the left of Services and Applications.
4. Select Services listed under Services and Applications.
5.
6. Double click iPod Service in the right hand panel.
7. Click the Stop button under the General tab and leave the iPod Service Properties window open.
8. Connect your iPod and wait until it is visible in My Computer/Computer.
9. Click the Start button in the iPod Service Properties window.
10. Open iTunes.
Arrow Remove iTunes (Click for more)
Note: Songs you purchased from the iTunes Store or imported from CDs are saved in your My Music/Music folder by default and are not deleted by removing iTunes
1. Quit iTunes.
2. On the Start menu, click Control Panel.
3. Windows XP and Windows 2000: In Control Panel, open Add or Remove Programs.
4. Windows Vista: In Control Panel, click Uninstall a program. Alternately, in Classic View of Control Panel, click Programs and Features. Select iTunes from the list of currently installed programs, then click Remove or Uninstall.
5. In Windows XP and Windows 2000, when asked if you would like to remove iTunes, select Yes.
6. In Windows Vista, if your permission is needed to continue, click Continue.
7. After uninstalling iTunes, do not restart if you are prompted to.
8. In Add or Remove Programs or Programs and Features, remove any iPod Updater applications that are listed in the same fashion as iTunes was removed.
9. Restart your computer.
10. After the computer restarts, open Local Disk C: in My Computer/Computer or whichever disk programs are installed on.
11. Open the Program Files folder.
12. Right-click the iTunes folder and select Delete and choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion. Note: This folder may have already been deleted if iTunes was successfully removed in steps 1-8.
13. Right click the iPod folder and select Delete and choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
14. Right-click on the Recycle Bin and on the shortcut menu, click Empty Recycle Bin.
15. Restart your computer.
16. Install the latest version of iTunes from http://www.apple.com/itunes/download and connect your iPod.
Arrow Empty your Temp directory and restart (Click for more)
1. On the Start menu, click My Computer (or double-click My Computer on the Desktop).
2. In My Computer, open Local Disk C:.
3. Open Documents and Settings.
4. Double-click the folder that bears your username.
5. If you see a Local Settings folder, skip to step 9. If you don't see a Local Settings folder, proceed to the next step.
6. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
7. Select the "Show hidden files and folders" button.
8. Click OK.
9. Double-click Local Settings.
10. Right-click on the Temp folder and on the shortcut menu, click Delete.
11. In the confirmation dialog that appears, click Yes.
12. If you are unable to delete the Temp folder, close all programs, especially those in the Notification area (system tray) of the Windows Task bar shown below and repeat step 10.
13. Restart your computer.
14. Install the latest version of iTunes from http://www.apple.com/itunes/download and connect your iPod.
Arrow Clean up iTunes installer files on the computer (Click for more)
You can download the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility from Microsoft, which will clean up any leftover installer files that may be causing issues with your current installation. To do this:
1. Click here first, and read the important information about the software.
2. Click the "Download the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility package now" link on that page to download a file titled msicuu2.exe.
3. Open the msicuu2.exe file and follow the prompts to install it.
4. On the Start menu, point to All Programs and then click Windows Install Cleanup; the Windows Installer Clean Up Utility window appears, listing software that is currently installed on your computer.
5. Select iTunes from the list and click Remove.
6. Click OK in the confirmation dialog that appears.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 if you have multiple iTunes entries listed.
8. Select QuickTime from the list and click Remove.
9. Click OK in the confirmation dialog that appears.
10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 if you have multiple QuickTime entries listed.
11. Click Exit.
12. Restart the computer.
13. Install the latest version of iTunes from http://www.apple.com/itunes/download and connect your iPod.
Arrow Disable conflicting System Services and Startup Items (Click for more)
Installed background processes can sometimes prevent the iPod Service from running. You might be able to resolve this by disabling some items with the System Configuration Utility in Windows XP. Find out how here.
If you have tried all the steps in this document, and the linked documents, and iPod is still not being recognized correctly by iTunes or the iPod Updater, then there is likely some other system issue on your computer. This may require you to repair or reinstall Windows. If you need assistance with this, contact whomever supports Windows on your computer. In most cases, this is the maker of the computer.
Arrow Deleting corrupted or incorrect registry keys (Click for more)
Damaged registry keys may prevent Windows from recognizing a variety of USB storage devices including iPod. To troubleshoot this issue, refer to the Microsoft knowledge base article below:
* A computer that is running Windows XP cannot detect a USB thumb drive, an Apple iPod, or an external hard disk drive
Related document
93499: "Windows confuses iPod with network drive or hard drive and may keep iPod from mounting or songs may seem to disappear"
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