Easy iPod fixes

The most common way to fix an iPod is not even to send it in, nor is it to crack it open (but we'll get to that soon), it's Apple's "5 R's" for troubleshooting, which stand for Reset, Retry, Restart, Reinstall and Restore.

These can be immensely helpful for frozen or glitchy iPods, small problems, really. We're not talking about your iPod falling into the toilet. That one, my friend, is a goner.

Just a couple days ago, my 30GB iPod Video would start playing a song, and then--a few seconds in--would skip to the next song, halfway through. I panicked, for one, and tried another artist, just to make sure The Raconteurs weren't some kind of iPod-cursed band.

They weren't, it was the iPod's problem. Luckily, the restart feature that Apple recommends worked. What this does is makes your iPod reboot, so you see the Apple logo and then your menus, all settings intact.

Restart your iPod: Center button + Menu (hold down both till you see Apple logo)

When in doubt, check the 5 R's. If you're still in trouble, ask me!