iPod won't sync

I've found 3 specific reasons an iPod won't sync (though there are undoubtably more). 

 

One:  The iPod syncs OK up to a point and then stops, reverting to no music written to the iPod:  the iPod I had that did this stuck on a particular song in the iTunes library.  You can see the progress of the sync in the iTunes bar at the top.  If it spends a long time on one song, that song may have a problem with the file.  Remove that song from the library and try again.

 

Two:

it could be that the iPod has a bad sector that it is trying to write to.  You may have a certain amount of space that is OK before you hit it but no more will be written after encountering the bad sector, even if there are good sectors after that.

If you are adventurous, you can use Gparted to repartition, but we haven't done that yet so stay tuned. (Gparted is open source software, free to download).

 

Three:

Syncing problems that are not solved/related to the first two items are often due to a problem with the main board.  There are very few repairs possible to the main board without completely replacing it. 

The one thing you should try, is to open up the ipod (use the videos for your model provided on YouTube) and see if the hard drive ribbon connector has become disconnected.  A similar connection is used on all the iPods: the connector has a flip lever (usually black) that locks down on the ribbon.  Gently pull on the connection to see if it is connected/locked down.  If it is then this is not your problem.  If it is loose or disconnected,   use a light touch and small screwdriver to lift the lever (which is as wide as the ribbon).  Re-seat the ribbon into the connector and push the connector lever back down again.  Check to be sure it is secure.