Apple Community Discussions

What to do if Windows displays an "iTunes.exe - Corrupt File" message

Many users are coming across this seemingly distressing error message in Windows when connecting their iPods. As described in Apple KB Article 300554, the message reads:

iTunes: iTunes.exe - Corrupt File

The file or directory \iPod_Control\iTunes\????????? is corrupt and unreadable. Please run the Chkdsk utility.

and the ????????? can be anything (eg. sysinfo, Temp1, DeviceInfo etc.).

Don't panic!

If you do see this, don't worry, and don't panic. Contrary to what the error message reads, this issue actually has very little to do with iTunes. The iPod_Control is the key to this - because this folder doesn't even exist in iTunes... it's on the iPod!

...so! Installing and uninstalling iTunes really won't do you much good at all... it's the iPod that needs attention.

What's causing this error?

To be honest, we don't know. We saw a massive number of reports of this issue back in November 2004, because iPod Updater 2004-11-15 contained a firmware bug that corrupted iPod system files when the Pod entered Deep Sleep.

But this firmware bug was corrected in iPod Updater 2005-06-26.

Of late, we have seen a resurgence in chkdsk errors on Discussions. Some of these are caused by the old buggy firmware that people still have. Some of the errors are more serious and are hardware and operating system-related. But we have still to pin down the exact cause of this error.

Okay, so what do I do if I see this error?

In short, as Apple have recommended in their KB article:

Restore your iPod, using the latest iPod Updater.

Follow the instructions carefully. Ensure that you download the iPod Updater. Ensure that you install it, and then ensure that you run it with the iPod connected and follow the prompts to the letter.

The broad majority of the errors are painlessly fixed this way. Of course, it does mean that your iPod will be wiped, so make sure that you have your music/data backed up, and/or present in iTunes so you can resynchronise it when you have finished Restoring.

Okay, I've Restored, but the error is still coming up

Are you sure you've Restored? Quite a number of folks are assuming that just downloading the iPod Updater is enough. It's not. And neither is downloading iPod Updater, and installing it on your computer. It *needs* to be implemented on the iPod, according to the iPod Updater instructions.

Okay, so if you *have* Restored your iPod, and you are still getting this error, then you have a variety of options available.

Chkdsk errors that are not fixed with a Restore are most likely down to two things:
1) A physical issue on the iPod itself
or
2) An issue on the computer's operating system

Here's where it gets woolly. There are a variety of things you could try...

Format the iPod in Windows

This would usually have the same effect as a Restore, but a deep-level format in Windows is something that Apple have recommended in the past, as a last resort to completely wipe the iPod before performing a Restore with iPod Updater. This process wipes the iPod.

To do this:
1) Enable Disk Mode on the iPod. You can do this either in iTunes (which is best), or manually on the iPod itself.
2) Open My Computer and locate your iPod
3) Right-click the iPod and select Format
4) Leave the parameters set at their defaults, and ensure Quick Format is unchecked
5) Hit Format
6) Then Restore your iPod as normal.

Run the Chkdsk utility

You could run the chkdsk utility on your iPod. But Restoring your iPod has the same effect as running chkdsk. Chkdsk does not wipe your iPod.

1) Enable Disk Mode as above
2) Determine the drive letter of your iPod from My Computer
3) Go to Start, Run
4) Type cmd. Hit Enter to take you to the Command Prompt.
5) Type chkdsk /f X:, where X is the drive letter of your iPod. Hit Enter, and any corrupt files are found and corrected.

Run Windows ScanDisk

ScanDisk is the Windows version of Chkdsk. It does not wipe your iPod.

1) Enable Disk Mode
2) Right-click the iPod in My Computer, select Properties
3) Select Tools
4) Select the option to scan the disk for errors

Try changing the Drive Letter of the iPod

Sometimes Windows confuses the drive letters, and this can cause the iPod to be adversely affected. Try the instructions detailed in Apple KB Article 93499 to change the drive letter of the iPod. This does not wipe your iPod.

Try changing Hardware Policies for the iPod

The Hardware Policies in Windows have been known to affect the way in which the iPod connects, synchronises, and disconnects. This does not wipe your iPod.

1) Enable Disk Mode so the iPod appears in My Computer
2) Right-click the iPod in My Computer
3) Select Properties
4) Select Hardware Policies
5) Select Optimize for Performance (instead of Optimize for Removal)
6) Restart your computer.

Contact Apple for a replacement iPod

Some chkdsk issues have been caused by faulty hardware. As a last resort, contact Apple Support by phone to report your issue, and/or request an iPod Service.

If you explain that you have followed all these steps, you should have a strong case for obtaining a replacement iPod.

Thanks!

Thank you to everyone for their continued support, kindness and excellent troubleshooting skills here on Discussions. There are countless people that I am deeply grateful to for their assistance in handling this issue. Rest assured folks, you have made me the Discussions Furball that I am today.

Happy Podding folks!

Kind regards,
Gopha.

References

1) The Original Corrupt iPod File thread from 2004. (Credit: AbbyM)
2) Our Summary and Index threads to consolidate the chkdsk issue at the height of its reign of terror.
3) Chkdsk is fixed by iPod Updater 2005-06-26.
4) Different flavours of chkdsk.
5) Happy Birthday chkdsk!.
6) Apple Level 2 Technical Support officially close the chkdsk casefile. (Credit: Apple Level 2)
7) Chkdsk can be fixed by changing the drive letter of the iPod. (Credit: daisys_n_roses, jchiu8)
8) Chkdsk can be fixed by changing the hardware policy. (Credit: Bruce Finn)
9) Chkdsk caused by faulty hardware. (Credit: Kiwi_Bloke)

Windows XP Pro :: Gen4 iPod