TECH NIGHTMARES: iPod monstrosities

Millions of Apple iPod owners will back me up: the iPod is the best overall MP3 player available in terms of ease of use, convenience, and design. But even the iPod has its monstrous moments.

The ubiquitous iPod lacks coveted important features, including an FM radio and voice recording. Nor is the iPod generally considered the best-sounding MP3 player available. But we can live with these limitations. The downright horror takes over when your iPod's battery dies a slow death or when it simply freezes up for no apparent reason.

Each day this week, we'll help you deal with a common iPod misfortune. Sometimes the fix is easy; other times, it can be a real pain. Whatever the case, we encourage you not to give up on your iPod.

	Monday's menace: defunct iPod battery syndrome
	Tuesday's terror: dead-icated volume control
	Wednesday's worry: iCeman cometh: the frozen iPod
	Thursday's threat: bloody scratches!
	Friday's funk of 40,000 years: frightened of Windows (and other computers)