Chosen Solution
My iPod 160 GB Classic frequently locks up and must be reset by depressing the menu and center button simultaneously. What do I need to do to fix it?
Try restoring it in iTunes first, because it could be a software problem. If that doesn’t work, you might need to replace the hard drive. I have had an iPod 3rd gen that had a severe locking up problem, and replacing the hard drive made it work better. Hard drives sometimes slowly fail over time, so it might still be able to do some things, but will get stuck on other things. That being said, never attempt an iPod repair if you are not 100% confident, especially on newer iPods, because they have thin, delicate ribbon cables that can easily be damaged. Repair at your own risk. iPod Classic Hard Drive Replacement