I am trying to use gtkpod to load music into a new third generation ipod nano with model number MB255LL. This model is not listed in gtkpod in the dropdown list box, so I just entered it into the field.

The ipod knows that something is occupying 1.4 GB, but says I have no music. If I look at the mount point in /media/ipod I see the music and can double click on an item and hear it. Also the music appears in gktpod and can also be played. It is just that the ipod itself doesn't seem to know that the music has been loaded onto its system. I also can't see anyway to clear the stuff since it doesn't know it is there.

I hope this doesn't turn out to be yet another expensive paperweight, like my last two webcams. Any ideas?

while you are waiting for a better reply, have you tried any other player eg amarok?

More research on the item made me understand that this is intentional sabotage by Apple to keep people using their iTunes software. They modified the device with the latest release of the nano in September, and programs that used to work with the nano no longer do.

I gave the device to my daughter who is not a computer person (meaning -- she uses Windows), and I went out and bought a Creative Zen which works fine with Linux software. I'll never again buy any device from Apple. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way.

(To answer your question, yes, I had tried all software known to humankind before I threw in the towel.)

A decision I took when seeing how a Linux expert/guru sitting next to me was shouting at his ipod. He was a former developer of gtkpod and he still doesn't know how to do common tasks with his ipod, apart from using itunes.
He had less problem a year ago but now due to firmware upgrade (or something like this), this is more locked down.

I managed to get the new video nano working with amarok as follows (I am using mandriva 2008) - libgpod 0.6+ supports these new ipods:

(1) Add cooker main as a repository source - then install libgpod 0.6.0 - this also installs libsgutils.
(2) Install the cooker version of amarok 1.4.7 - it is already compiled against the new libgpod libs
(3) Plug ipod nano in - should mount on system:/media/sdc1
(4) Start amarok - goto Settings - Configure amarok. Select the media devices section
Look for sdc1 - change plugin to Apple Ipod and then click on the blue gears next to it
Put mount %d in pre-connect and
kdeeject %d in postconnect
(5) Close the config window and in amarok's main playlist window click on Devices - it should open with all the songs on the nano
(6) Should also set the type of ipod in amarok - it is alittle red ipod icon top left with a dropdown arrow

You could also compile amarok against the new libgpod as an alternative

i am running into te same problem with my 80gb video ipod. i went through the above instructions but when i select my ipod model it is not listed just like with gtkpod. my ipod is silver (a1238). also i used itunes to load some music onto it which worked fine but when i tried amarok after loading just one song all my previous music disappeared but the space was still taken up. im running ubuntu gutsy. any help would be greatly appreciated.

You will have to check if there is version of amarok available that has been compiled against libgpod3 rather than the libgpod2 in gutsy. Or post a request in the ubuntu forums here.

Hi, I'm looking at Sony Walkman- note RVDowning's point about Apple ipod & not surprised.

Sony Ericsson is compatible with Linux apps eg Wammu, but does anyone have experience with the Walkman? I have old boxes therefore using Xubuntu & Debian.