iPod not detected by iTunes software

Hi, I have a 5th Gen iPod which has so far worked without a hitch with several different windows-based computers. But when connecting it to my Apple PowerBook G4, iTunes doesn't start up automatically, and when I open it manually it doesn't list my iPod in the source list or library to the left. The iSync application also doesn't work as the iPod is not detected. I couldn't find anything that helped in iPod Help or Troubleshooting or in a forum search, so if anyone out there knows how to teach my iTunes to talk to my iPod I'd be a happy boy, thanks!

Your Ipod needs to be formatted to work with Mac Format... From your post, your our Ipod is set up for windows. Unfortunately you'll have to format your ipod (losing all you current music on there) to deal with Mac...its either one or the other.

I had an iPod formatted for Windows and it still worked perfectly with iTunes on a Mac. Could even use it as a USB drive to transfer files between my Mac and my Windows PC.

The only limitation I found was that iTunes couldn't update the firmware on the iPod while it was Windows formatted.

Does the Mac detect it as a drive and show an icon for it in Finder? If not, it's probably a more fundamental problem than iTunes not detecting it.

Also have you got the latest version of iTunes?

If you haven't done so already, connect it to a PC and set it up as a extended harddrive in iTunes. It should then be detectable on a Mac. You'll still need to reformat your iPod to a Mac, which will delete your music, but you might be able to save the music if you connect the iPod as an external harddrive to your Mac and cut and paste the music from the iPod to your Mac (you'll have to make sure your settings allow you to see hidden folders).

Guys, thanks a lot, I just came back from lunch and, despite numerous yet futile attempts throughout the morning to get this thing working, it magically self-repaired over lunch, I have no idea how and why, but it's working ... now I'll probably have the same problem trying to go back to a PC, if I do I'll try out your recommendations. Thanks a lot, much appreciated!

"iPod not detected by iTunes"

WHATEVER you do, don't tell homeland security!!!

Hello there!
Really hoping someone here might have some suggestions for my issue. I am so irritated, trying to find my ipod on my mac for the last 30-40 min. Much like with the original poster, it is not detected in itunes...i have tried re-starting the ipod, the itunes and my mac and nothing is happening. I have a nano ipod, 3rd/4th generation, not sure, but it isn't brand new. it was working fine up until now. and me being not the best of friends with these gadgets- i am lost! i was at my mom's a few days ago and plugged the ipod into her laptop which is not a mac (HP i think), it asked me f i want to reconfigure it (whatever it is called, to set it up to a non-mac system), which would have put me in danger of losing all my songs, so i'd said "no". could it still possibly be related to that?!

fingers seriously crossed
thanks!

This *may* help:

Press and hold the central button on your iPod.

Then press and hold the 'menu' bitton on your click wheel

This activates 'iPod disk mode'. You can then let go of the buttons.

Connect it to your computer. The

If it doesn't pop up somwhere, you probabl have other prblems.

if it does, use iTunes to restore the mutha and then re-load your songs.

if you haven't got your songs to to hand, tough luck!

How I know this: Worked as an Apple Genius for 2 years

***Disclaimer*** 2 years ago. I might have forgotten what to do - any bad things that happen cause you do this are your problem, not mine!

thanks edd, nope, still not showing up anywhere!! god, i could punch someone!!! going to have to see a friend who is obsessed with all things ipod/itunes, but not until friday!!