iPod Classic hit with endless disk-spinning bug?

The tubes are buzzing this morning with reports that the recent iPod classic 1.0.2 update has a nasty bug in it that causes the drive to constantly spin -- a glitch that's a little more troubling than those freezing issues we heard about, since bumping a spinning platter is a sure way to kill your drive dead. Most users see the problem manifest as the battery draining much more quickly than it should, and it seems to be particularly a problem when using CoverFlow, but others say it's totally random and that replacement iPods with 1.0.2 loaded don't exhibit any symptoms. In any event, iPod Classic owners who haven't updated should probably hold off, and those who have should see how their devices are holding up.

Read -- Apple support thread #1
Read -- Apple support thread #2
Read -- iLounge forum thread

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 18th 2007 11:18PM]

As an " iPod hater", I have to say that my 160GB doesn't suck as much as I thought it was gonna suck. I mean, sure the sound quality sucks (compared to a real quality music player like Cowon or iRiver), and so does the browsing, the limited codecs, the lagging, the cover flow, the extras, etc. but I was expecting all that. Since I'm not using iTunes (which is incredibly slow) to sync my music, I think that many problems I've read about (skipped songs, songs that won't play, overheated units, etc.) might be iTunes related.
What I do find unforgivable is that the 40 hour battery won't even last 20. This isn't not about Apple's quality control, it's about Apple's not-giving-a-s.hit quality control. Somebody should sue their asses off. Damn you Steve Jobs, I hope you get herpes or something itchy like that!!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 18th 2007 11:19PM]

Right on, systemdowned.

Apple isn't in the #1 sales position because they make the highest quality, or best performing products. It's social status, plain and simple.

Apple "Just works"... ha.

I'll stick with my Dell XPS m1710 over a macbook pro, any day.

Higher quality construction, better performance, better warranty. It doesn't take a class action lawsuit for Dell to repair my laptop.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 18th 2007 11:39PM]

is firmware "designed in USA" or is it done by the contract manufacturer in Asia?

It would be funny if it were the contract manufacturer's protest at their latest sweatshop contract terms.

Hah.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 19th 2007 12:27AM]

I have had an 80 GB iPod classic for a week.
It has already died overnight three times.
I was wondering why the battery would go from full to empty even though its off.
Now I know.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 19th 2007 6:46AM]

im surprised amidst all the ipod/itunes news noone has mentioned the fact that in the last itunes update apple(silently) dropped support for windows 2000, and apparently new ipod troubles working on panther also(even though the new itunes installs). apparently many new ipod owners are miffed they have to get a new computer(or OS) just to sync their new ipod(s). dont they want to sell more ipods?

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 19th 2007 10:09AM]

I've had an 80G iPod Classic for about 3-4 weeks now, which I bought to replace my 4G 30G iPod Photo (Which still works great by the way, I just wanted the Video capailities and I knew a battery replacement was in the works for the 4G which is to be expected at it's age.)

Originally when I got it it had firmware 1.0.0, and when I first hooked it up to sync with iTunes it updated to 1.0.1. With 1.0.1 it still worked pretty good, however there were some lag issues like everyone was reporting.

Since the update to 1.0.2 it seems to work VERY well. I use my iPod Classic probably every day for at least an hour, sometimes a lot more.

I haven't noticed any abnormal battery discharge, running, poor sound quality, etc.. Honestly, so far, I'm very pleased with my purchase.

[lunasdude Posted Oct 19th 2007 10:34AM]

Seriously Apple is capable of bad hardware JUST LIKE ANY OTHER COMPANY! I have seen bad products in EVERY line of consumer electronics & car manufactures no matter what price point, and it even occurs in very high $$$$$ items like Mercedes, which has a very crappy reliability record!
My 80ggb (hugs) was a replacement for my 4g (still working after batt replacement) and I have had ZERO problems with it! (Hugs again)
I beginning to realize that Apple seems to be held to a much higher standard (and hatred) than any other company out there and the perception is that they are a "perfect" brand NOT SO!
Some of you may remember the disasters that HP, Microsoft, Compaq, Dell, Rca etc ... and may more have had?
Most at one time or another have had bonafide disasters on there hands! (Shrugs) we have a very short memory when it comes to these things, but not with Apple.
Just don’t understand why, I have had much more trouble with Microsoft products (xbox 360 ring of death) than anything from Apple and yet we seem to accept that Microsoft is going to F@@@up and it seems to be ok.
Weird

[JustinM Posted Oct 19th 2007 6:28PM]

What makes you think people are okay with MS's problems? Just ask how many people are Vista fans, why don't you? And RRoD is practically a reflex-reaction joke whenever someone mentions a 360.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 21st 2007 8:41AM]

Ragazzi sono italiano.Mi potete dire come fare per risolvere questo problema dell'hard-hisk ke gira sempre nell'ipod 80 gb classic????Please help me

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 1st 2007 10:53PM]

well i have a black ipod classic and i agree there are some bugs it ahs about running slow i didn't like it but all you have to do is take off album art and it works as fast as my 2nd gen nano! and my battery seems to last just fine for me and i use it alot

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 31st 2007 7:31PM]

Uh, new ipod classic owner here. Doesn't work with my BMW m5. Sucks.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 17th 2007 5:41AM]

So, I bought a new iPod Classic about a month ago. I brought this baby home, updated it and brought it to work the next day to use with my brand spankin new JBL docking station. Within the first hour, my harddrive started spinning whilst the screen continued to cycle through the apple screen.

Repeat once
Repeat twice
Repeat three times (Damn, another broken ipod?)

So as of now I'm on my fourth iPod... I have my fingers crossed. This time I'm going to hold off on the update.