westonpj

Q: 2nd Gen Shuffle Not Syncing

So, I decided to bring a couple of old 2nd Gen shuffles out of retirement recently.  Both showed up in iTunes just fine, but the problems began when I tried to add any content.  All I get is the error message "The IPod "name" cannot be synced because it cannot be found".  What gives?  Have tried restoring several times but still get the same issue.  Anyone seen this before and know how to fix??

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on May 24, 2016 1:06 PM

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Q: 2nd Gen Shuffle Not Syncing

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe May 24, 2016 1:24 PM in response to westonpj
    Level 8 (38,347 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 24, 2016 1:24 PM in response to westonpj

    So, you are able to do a Restore on the shuffles, but you get this error (with the same USB port using the same cable) when trying to load songs?

     

    I get that error occasionally, when I have too many other USB devices connected at the same time.  As a test, shut down the iMac and disconnect all USB devices (including any hubs).  You can leave standard USB keyboard/mouse connected, if used.  Put the shuffle's power switch in the OFF position (only because the OFF position resets the shuffle).  Start up the iMac, run iTunes, and connect shuffle to a direct USB port on the iMac, by itself.  Is there any difference?

     

    Also, are you using the USB docking cable that cable with the 2nd gen shuffle, which is long with a "mini-dock" for the shuffle?

  • by westonpj,

    westonpj westonpj May 24, 2016 1:43 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    May 24, 2016 1:43 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Thanks.  I had 3 other devices plugged in but I disconnected everything like you suggested and still have the same problem.  I'm using the little cable dock which came with the shuffle.  Any more ideas?

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe May 24, 2016 1:54 PM in response to westonpj
    Level 8 (38,347 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 24, 2016 1:54 PM in response to westonpj

    If the iMac is a recent model with USB 3.0 ports, that may be related...  However, it's odd that the shuffle appears in iTunes and you are able to Restore it, but this error comes up only when you try to load songs.  Also, if you have more than one 2nd gen shuffle, and the same problem occurs with both, it's less likely to be a problem with the shuffle.

     

    The 2nd gen shuffle has a very simple settings screen, when you select it in iTunes.  The sidebar just says Summary and On This iPod.  Click Summary.  To the right, there is a setting (checkbox) to Enable disk use.  Checkmark that box (if it's not already) and Apply.  This setting (when enabled) tells iTunes to keep the shuffle's disk mounted continuously (instead of only during active syncing).

     

    NOTE:  With disk use enable, you need to Eject the shuffle in iTunes before physically disconnecting it.

  • by westonpj,

    westonpj westonpj May 25, 2016 1:03 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    May 25, 2016 1:03 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    When I check the enable disk use box and try to Apply I get the same error message - still saying iPod cannot be found.  Maybe this is an iTunes issue?

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe May 25, 2016 1:10 AM in response to westonpj
    Level 8 (38,347 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 25, 2016 1:10 AM in response to westonpj

    To confirm, you cannot sync songs OR Apply a simple setting change, but you CAN do a full Restore on the shuffle?

     

    I have a 2nd gen shuffle and 1st gen too.  They both work fine with my Mac, running the latest OS X and iTunes.  However, my Mac mini is a 2011 model that has USB 2.0 ports.  Does your iMac have USB 3.0 ports?

  • by westonpj,

    westonpj westonpj May 25, 2016 4:07 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    May 25, 2016 4:07 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    My iMac has USB 2.0 ports so I guess that is not the problem.  I just tried restoring again.  Restore runs OK and I end up at the welcome to your new iPod screen.  Then when I proceed to try to add songs or to try to apply any changes to options (like enable disk use) I get the message "The iPod cannot be synced because it cannot be found".

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe May 25, 2016 10:22 AM in response to westonpj
    Level 8 (38,347 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 25, 2016 10:22 AM in response to westonpj

    That's quite odd.  Just to try something different, if you use an Apple (wired) USB keyboard, try connecting the shuffle to the spare USB port on the keyboard.  If your keyboard is wireless, do you happen to have a USB 2.0 hub that is self-powered?  Self-powered means it has its own power supply.  Is there any difference if you connect the iPod to the spare USB port on the keyboard, or to a USB 2.0 hub?

     

    Another thing you can try with a 2nd gen shuffle is a special iPod Reset Utility.  It is only for 1st and 2nd gen shuffle.  Normally, this utility is used when it is not possible to do a Restore using iTunes.  The end result is functionally the same as a Restore, but it does it differently so maybe that will resolve this odd problem.

     

    iPod Reset Utility 1.0.3 for Mac

  • by westonpj,

    westonpj westonpj May 25, 2016 12:09 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    May 25, 2016 12:09 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Thanks.  I'll try the USB idea and report back - looking at other threads that seems to have worked for some.  In the meantime, I've tried the iPod reset utility, but can't get it to recognise the device so that seemed like a dead end.  I did manage to mount the iPod on my Mac, and erase it using disk utility.  Then I switched my computer off with the iPod plugged in and restarted everything.  Strange thing then was I was able to load one song - just one - before I got the "not recognised" message back again.  This is driving me nuts!

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe May 25, 2016 12:26 PM in response to westonpj
    Level 8 (38,347 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 25, 2016 12:26 PM in response to westonpj

    If you Erase it using Disk Utility, it needs to be done in a particular way.  Unlike "big" iPods, shuffle's are alway formatted for Windows, even when using with a Mac.  In Disk Utility, select the iPod device in the sidebar.  Click Erase.  Set Format to MS-DOS (FAT).  Set Scheme to Master Boot RecordName does not matter. 

     

    That's for the new-look Disk Utility in El Capitan.  If you are using Yosemite (as shown in your profile info), in the old Disk Utility, the Scheme setting can only be made if you use the Partition tab (not Erase tab).

     

    After erasing the shuffle using Disk Utility, the shuffle does not have any of its onboard software, so you need to do a Restore on it using iTunes.

  • by westonpj,

    westonpj westonpj May 27, 2016 12:54 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    May 27, 2016 12:54 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Finally got round to trying the USB hub idea - but made no difference at all.  Also tried again with the disk utility erase suggestion - this time making sure to set format and scheme correctly - still made no difference.  And still no luck getting the reset utility to recognise either of the iPods.  So I'm really at a loss as to what to try next.  I also tried connecting to my macbook but had exactly the same issues.