Factory reset of iPod classic without iTunes

Question

Is there a way to perform a factory reset of an iPod Classic without having to use iTunes?

This may seem like an obscure question, but I am suffering from the following: I tried some 3rd party iPod management tool, performed a db rebuild with it, and now my iPod does not appear in iTunes or any other software. Windows 7 recognises it as an iPod, and the disk partition on it is accessible.

iTunes does not detect it. I have nothing to lose, so I don't mind doing a full reset/format etc.

I am running a Windows 7 machine (32 bit).

EDIT: I solved the problem by upgrading to iTunes 10. I was running an old version (I think 8 or 9). There could have possibly been a compatibility problem with Windows 7 and the older versions?

Solution

Verify that the Apple Mobile Device service is running, I've had this problem before by taking it out of startup. EDIT: If you don't know how to find it, go to Start>type "Services.msc" and it should be one of the first items in the list. Right click and click "Start" if it's not started.

Comments

[Admin]

Have you tried holding down the Menu and centre button at the same time for a few seconds? This used to work to tell it to turn off, and then iTunes would take over from there. Make sure the device service is running, as Brandon suggests.

[bunn_online]

Thanks, the service was running though - so that wasn't the problem. See my edit above for what I did to solve the problem. Im going to award you with the chosen answer as it is good advice when diagnosing this problem.