So yesterday I went to sync my iPod with my computer -- take off the audio books I have listened to, add new ones, sync my calendar and address book, yada yada. I have done this many, many times over the last five years or so. This time a message comes up saying that there is a new version of iTunes, do I want to update, I click Yes without really thinking about it.
Error message 2003 (which, incidentally, is NOT on the list of error messages I found on the Apple site), something in some software is hosed, cannot update, yada yada.
I fiddle with it and end up wiping the iPod and restoring it to its factory default settings, which I have also done several times in the past. Except that this time it never really restores, just hangs up about a third of the way through.
So I unplug it, reboot it, close and reopen iTunes, and try again.
Twice, same result.
Grrr.
I started to draft an email to my tech consultant -- that would be Matthew -- when it occurs to me that I could instead send this same summary to Apple tech support and ask for help. On the way to doing that I googled "iPod error code 2003" and eventually found out how to fix the problem.
I told you all that to tell you this, in particular the part in bold face.
The fix:
- Be sure the iPod cable is plugged directly in the computer. Do not use a hub. Check.
- Turn off the iPod. Check.
- Hold down the Home button, then keep holding it down while plugging the cable into the iPod and keep holding it until the iPod shows the iTunes symbol with a cable under it.
- When iTunes says, "iPod found in restore mode", click on Restore or set up a new iPod.
Exactly how long would it have taken me to figure that out on my own? Roughly forever, I think...
Which is about how long it takes an iPod to copy everything back onto itself.
photo credit: guccio@文房具社 via photopin cc
