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Here's a cool trick to freak out your friends. Take their iPod, turn it off and then hold both the back button on the left, and the centre button. In a few seconds the screen will switch to a very industrial looking diagnostic display. Show your friend and they'll instantly accuse you of breaking their iPod (especially if you put a shocked look on your face).

You didn't, of course, just restart the iPod and it will be back to normal if only that were the case all the time.

I've had several iPods and they've all given me a panic attack at some time or another when they freeze, go dead, or can't connect to iTunes. I'm here to help, and unlike other guides I won't leave iPod Shuffle, Mini and Touch users out in the cold. I know what it's like, I know how frustrating it is and I know that putting a frozen iPod in an actual freezer can help it reconnect to iTunes (more on that later).

I've searched high and low for these solutions and while some are common knowledge, other tips are hard find. Never fear, they're all gathered here. Whatever your problem, persevere to the end of the article and I guarantee I'll address the issue.

First, if you dropped your iPod in water then whatever you do, don't turn it on, you'll fry the insides. Leave it to dry for a couple of days and then try (If that advice came too late, then turn it off and let it dry, maybe you'll be lucky).

Treating a sick iPod.

Look at his face (if he has one). If your iPod gives you a sad face and a battery icon then he's run out of juice and needs to recharge. If he gives you any other face, no face at all, or he's frozen, then he'll need more serious treatment.

We'll start with the five R's: Reset, Retry, Restart, Reinstall & Restore

Resetting the iPod will resolve most issues. It doesn't wipe any of the content or files stored on the iPod, it just reboots it. On a Classic, Nano or Mini you need to hold down the menu button and the middle clicker until the screen switches off. For the iPod shuffle you flick the green switch off for five seconds.

The iPod Touch is a bit more complex. If it's frozen then hold down the home button for six seconds. If that doesn't work, then hold down the sleep/wake button on the top until it gives you the power off' option. If you're still having no luck then try a reset by holding the home button and the sleep/wake button until it powers off then hold the sleep/wake button to turn it back on (ignore the red slider that pops up halfway through).

If you're

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