Cannot Backup Library - Unknown error occurred (261)

We tried to make our first data backup ever (I know, I know...) and got an unknown error 4280 -- that was with iTunes 7.2, so we upgraded to 7.3 and that changed the error to -- you got it -- 261 ...

Here's our status (and additionally, we can repeat the same 261 errors by lashing an external USB Pioneer DVR-108 DVD writer to the rig and selecting it as the backup device instead of the Plextor...)

Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
System Manufacturer P3V4X
iTunes 7.3.0.54
CD Driver 2.0.6.1
CD Driver DLL 2.0.6.2
LowerFilters: PxHelp20 (2.0.0.0), drvmcdb (1.0.0.1), Pfc (2.5.0.195), Cdr4_xp (7.5.0.50),
UpperFilters: GEARAspiWDM (2.0.6.1), pwd_2k (7.5.0.47), Cdralw2k (7.5.0.50),

Found aspi32 running.
Current user is an administrator.

Video Display Information:

RADEON 9000 SERIES
RADEON 9000 Family (Microsoft Corporation)
RADEON 9000 SERIES - Secondary
RADEON 9000 SEC Family (Microsoft Corporation)
NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 400

Connected Device Information:

Disk drive, ST360015A, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]
Disk drive, ST360015A, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [1,0]
Disk drive, Apple iPod USB Device

CD-ROM Drive, PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W1610A, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]

If you have multiple drives on the same IDE or SCSI bus, these drives may interfere with each other.
Some computers need an update to the ATA or IDE bus driver, or Intel chipset. If iTunes has problems recognizing CDs or hanging or crashing while importing or burning CDs, check the support site for the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard.

G: PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W1610A, Rev 1.05
Audio CD in drive.
Found 12 songs on CD, playing time 49:52 on CDROM-XA media.
Track 1, start time 00:02:00
Track 2, start time 05:30:30
Track 3, start time 08:56:52
Track 4, start time 11:59:30
Track 5, start time 13:13:30
Track 6, start time 16:00:05
Track 7, start time 20:38:47
Track 8, start time 24:59:72
Track 9, start time 28:59:07
Track 10, start time 32:33:57
Track 11, start time 35:01:12
Track 12, start time 38:31:35
Audio CD reading succeeded.
Get drive speed succeeded.
The drive CDR speeds are: 1 4 8 12 16.
The drive CDRW speeds are: 1 4 8 12.


The last failed data CD or DVD burn had error code 261(0x00000105). It happened on drive G: PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W1610A on CDR media at speed 0X.



Asus P3V4X Windows XP Pro

Same problem here. When it failed to backup the entire library, I tried backing up only new items. That one worked. I checked the filenames of the "new" tracks, and none had special characters (apostrophes, etc). I'm guessing 7.3 whacked the handling of special characters. This is nuts.

Yes, I am getting the 261 error message.

Yes, I am getting the 261 error message.

Okay, Joseph. The one commonality between your diagnostics and Pooh's diagnostics is the following filter entry:

LowerFilters: PxHelp20 (2.0.0.0),

So, perhaps try a filter edit as described in the following document:

iTunes for Windows: Troubleshooting CD issues caused by device filters

Do you still get the 261 with just the iTunes device filters in place?

I went to run a diagnostic, however the computer is now freezing on me when I try to do that....Apple please hurry up and release 7.3.1 today!

Copy of my diagnostics, I also seem to have a problem with files going missing at an alarming rate.
They are still located in my music/ itunes file but I have over 800 of them and I can't remember every file name some are quite obscure.
As a short cut is not possible to create a playlist of the whole contents of my library about 3gb and burn a DVD.
Tell you wot I'll try it and let you know!


Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
MEDIONPC AWRDACPI
iTunes 7.3.0.54
CD Driver 2.0.6.1
CD Driver DLL 2.0.6.2
LowerFilters: PxHelp20 (2.0.0.0),
UpperFilters: GEARAspiWDM (2.0.6.1),

Current user is an administrator.

Video Display Information:

RADEON 7500 Family (Microsoft Corporation)

Connected Device Information:

Disk drive, MAXTOR STM3160212A, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]
Disk drive, SONY NWWM MEM AAD2 USB Device, Bus Type USB
CD-ROM Drive, DVDRW IDE H16X, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [1,0]
CD-ROM Drive, RICOH FirmwareLoader2, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]

If you have multiple drives on the same IDE or SCSI bus, these drives may interfere with each other.
Some computers need an update to the ATA or IDE bus driver, or Intel chipset. If iTunes has problems recognizing CDs or hanging or crashing while importing or burning CDs, check the support site for the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard.

D: RICOH FirmwareLoader2, Rev 0.99
Drive is empty.

E: DVDRW IDE H16X, Rev B02T
Drive is empty.


The last failed data CD or DVD burn had error code 261(0x00000105). It happened on drive E: DVDRW IDE H16X on DVD+R media at speed 0X.

I wish I had read this first!! I just did the software update and now I get a 261 error too!

How do we make sure that Apple Support people see this and correct it???

Incidently, even though I would have needed 24 CDs to do an ENTIRE backup again, I tried it. I get the same error and at times it says insert a black CD even though it is BLANK.

This problem is system wide. It is NOT anyones computer at fault. I can not do a full or partial backup in any combination.

linyjeffr@aol.com

Just upgraded to 7.3 and get the issue that iTunes keeps throwing out the blank DVDs and asking me to insert a new disk. Do not see any error messages.

Did a complete Back-Up 2 weeks ago, same disks, same config, same system on 7.2 with no issues.

Where can we find a patch?

HP Pavillion Windows Vista

Same error here, using Windows XP Pro on Gateway M275 tablet. All updates and latest software, firmware, etc.

I cannot backup my library or burn playlists since upgrading iTunes. I'm moving soon and seriously need to back my library up just in case my machine gets damaged in the move. Help!

Thanks...

Yes, I am getting the 261 error message.

Okay, Joseph. The one commonality between your
diagnostics and Pooh's diagnostics is the following
filter entry:

LowerFilters: PxHelp20 (2.0.0.0),

So, perhaps try a filter edit as described in the
following document:

iTunes for Windows: Troubleshooting CD issues
caused by device filters

Do you still get the 261 with just the iTunes device
filters in place?

I would prefer not to modify my registry. When will the fix be avialable? If not soon, can we revert back to 7.2?

I started out by contacting Apple support. They sent me here. This is awful. They are nuts if they think people will purchase more items when they can't back up what they have.

I tried on my other computer, and same thing. Spits out disc after disc and tells me to put in a blank one.

I just sent apple another message about this at:

http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/store/backup/

Maybe if enough people complain to them directly, they will get this fixed.

Since the 7.3 upgrade, I've run into the same 261 error. My last backup (4/25) was fine. No other changes other than the new iTunes. Other CD/DVD writing software works. I was able to use iTunes 7.3 to burn an audio CD.

Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack 4 (Build 2195)

iTunes 7.3.0.54
CD Driver 2.0.6.1
CD Driver DLL 2.0.6.2
LowerFilters: PxHelp20 (2.0.0.0), drvmcdb (1.0.0.1), Cdr4_2k (6.1.1.48),
UpperFilters: Cdralw2k (6.1.1.48), pwd_2k (6.1.1.48), GEARAspiWDM (2.0.6.1),

Found aspi32 running.
Current user is an administrator.

Video Display Information:

RADEON 9550
RADEON 9550 Secondary
RADEON 8500 SERIES

Connected Device Information:

Disk drive, ST3120026A, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]
Disk drive, HP Officejet 7310 USB Device, Bus Type USB
CD-ROM Drive, PLEXTOR DVDR PX-708A, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]

If you have multiple drives on the same IDE or SCSI bus, these drives may interfere with each other.
Some computers need an update to the ATA or IDE bus driver, or Intel chipset. If iTunes has problems recognizing CDs or hanging or crashing while importing or burning CDs, check the support site for the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard.

R: PLEXTOR DVDR PX-708A, Rev 1.12
Audio CD in drive.
Found 23 songs on CD, playing time 48:39 on Audio CD.
Track 1, start time 00:02:00
Track 2, start time 00:40:33
Track 3, start time 03:16:13
Track 4, start time 03:56:51
Track 5, start time 08:38:63
Track 6, start time 11:14:28
Track 7, start time 11:46:43
Track 8, start time 14:47:53
Track 9, start time 17:04:01
Track 10, start time 17:59:55
Track 11, start time 19:50:23
Track 12, start time 20:15:11
Track 13, start time 22:57:71
Track 14, start time 26:43:66
Track 15, start time 29:51:64
Track 16, start time 30:20:53
Track 17, start time 33:16:66
Track 18, start time 35:57:22
Track 19, start time 36:26:68
Track 20, start time 39:05:56
Track 21, start time 40:40:24
Track 22, start time 43:27:71
Track 23, start time 44:29:19
Audio CD reading succeeded.
Get drive speed succeeded.
The drive CDR speeds are: 4 8 16 32 40.
The drive CDRW speeds are: 4 8.
The drive DVDR speeds are: 4 8 16.
The drive DVDRW speeds are: 4 8 16.

Writing CD text is turned on in the preferences. If you're having problems burning CDs, try turning this preference off.

The last failed data CD or DVD burn had error code 261(0x00000105). It happened on drive R: PLEXTOR DVDR PX-708A on DVD+R media at speed 0X.

Windows 2000