I accidentally drop my 3rd generation ipod (ipod w/dock 20 GB 2003-200?) this morning, and I got the file folder w/ exclamation point. I would see that and then it would go to the apple symbol, and back and forth.... I tried a few thing per the site and I can get to disk mode....battery is charged, and the front says ok to disconnect w/ a big checkmark. I usually only see that screen when I disconnect my ipod from itunes. So I;m in disk mode and nothing else happens....I can get back to the file folder and exclamation, or to the ok to disconnect screen, that seems to be it. HELP!!!! I'm at work so I can't plug into itunes.... Any advise????
 
Dave, Try to reset it instructions on site. Please use the forums for your questions as we usually don't respond to email help questions since no one else can benefit from the question and answers. The iPod Guys
 
Thanks... I can reset, but that's where I get the folder/ apple logo... Try to run diagnostics. Instructions on site. It will test your hard drive among other things. the iPod guys For generation 3 models, isn't that disk mode? Because I can get there, but because I can't connect to my PC at home I don't have itunes to run the tests. Disk mode turns your iPod into a backup hard drive.
 
The diagnostics mode is a set of internal tests that exercise each function of iPod to determine if it is working OK. They are or were built into each iPod and have nothing to do with iTunes. Not sure about 3rd gen but try to follow inst on site.  The iPod Guys
The above interaction is transcribed from email. Dave was nice enough to post it all here. We don't generally answer problems via email since the forums are designed for that and more people can be helped using forum rather than one to one on email - Admin