Cannot Backup Library - Unknown error occurred (261)

I get this problem after updating iTunes 7.2 to 7.3 today, Don't want to lose my song info. Burner and DVD's are fine. Apple Please fix this soon.

To everyone who cannot back up files after downloading v7.3:

I removed the itunes and quicktime from my computer. Then I went to:

http://filehippo.com/download_itunes/?2736

and download the v 7.2. Now I am able to backup all my purchases. I received no help from apple except telling me to call customer support for a fee. This seems to have done the trick for me. I did not lose any of my library either. Hope this helps some of you.

To everyone who cannot back up files after downloading v7.3:

I removed the itunes and quicktime from my computer. Then I went to:

http://filehippo.com/download_itunes/?2736

and download the v 7.2. Now I am able to backup all my purchases. I received no help from apple except telling me to call customer support for a fee. This seems to have done the trick for me. I did not lose any of my library either. Hope this helps some of you.

This works perfectly!! Thank you so much for posting it. This is what a forum should be all about.

Worked for me too.
I've been told by staff @ Manchester UK Applestore that Apple are indeed aware of the '261 error problem'.
their advice was to remove 7.3 and install 7.2 until the problem is solved.

Unfortunately this isn't an option for me...I have an iPhone...Apple please fix this already!

Exact same problem here
This is my diagnostic report!
This really annoys me, as the music and playlists have taken me ages to set up how I want it, I can't believe it is impossible to back it all up!!
Nikki

Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
FUJITSU SIEMENS D1625
iTunes 7.3.0.54
CD Driver 2.0.6.1
CD Driver DLL 2.0.6.2
LowerFilters: PxHelp20 (2.0.0.0), cdrbsdrv (7.5.0.0),
UpperFilters: GEARAspiWDM (2.0.6.1),

Current user is an administrator.

Video Display Information:

RADEON 9200 SE
RADEON 9200 SE Secondary

Connected Device Information:

Disk drive, FUJITSU MPE3102AT, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [1,0]
Disk drive, WDC WD800LB-07DNA2, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]
CD-ROM Drive, ATAPI DVDROM 16X, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [0,0]
CD-ROM Drive, _NEC DVD+RW ND-1100A, Bus Type ATA, Bus Address [1,0]

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: ATAPI DVDROM 16X, Rev 100K
Audio CD in drive.
Found 2 songs on CD, playing time 48:57 on Audio CD.
Track 1, start time 00:02:00
Track 2, start time 25:38:47
Audio CD reading succeeded (check for old firmware).
Get drive speed succeeded.

E: _NEC DVD+RW ND-1100A, Rev 1.80
Data or MP3 CD in drive.
Found 1 songs on CD, playing time 31:09 on CDROM media.
Track 1, start time 00:02:00
Get drive speed succeeded.
The drive CDR speeds are: 4 8 12 24.
The drive CDRW speeds are: 4 8 12 24.
The drive DVDR speeds are: 4.
The drive DVDRW speeds are: 4.


The last failed data CD or DVD burn had error code 261(0x00000105). It happened on drive E: _NEC DVD+RW ND-1100A on DVD+R media at speed 0X.

I too am unable to backup my library now that I have upgraded to v. 7.3. 😟

Home built - SLI Intel dual core Windows Vista

Forgot to post my diagnostic results

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Edition (Build 6000)
MSI MS-7350
iTunes 7.3.0.54
CD Driver 2.0.6.1
CD Driver DLL 2.0.6.2
LowerFilters: PxHelp20 (2.0.0.0), pfc (2.5.0.204),
UpperFilters: SiRemFil (1.0.0.0), GEARAspiWDM (2.0.6.1),

Current user is an administrator.

Video Display Information:

NVIDIA, NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT

Connected Device Information:

Disk drive, Maxtor 6Y160P0 ATA Device, Channel 1, Target 0, Lun 0
Disk drive, ST332062 0AS SCSI Disk Device, Bus Number 0, Target Id 0, LUN 0
CD-ROM Drive, PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-112D ATA Device, Channel 0, Target 0, Lun 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: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-112D, Rev 1.09
Audio CD in drive.
Found 18 songs on CD, playing time 77:53 on Audio CD.
Track 1, start time 00:02:32
Track 2, start time 02:53:52
Track 3, start time 04:31:25
Track 4, start time 08:56:45
Track 5, start time 15:30:15
Track 6, start time 18:30:25
Track 7, start time 24:53:55
Track 8, start time 27:07:30
Track 9, start time 28:59:20
Track 10, start time 35:19:20
Track 11, start time 41:16:55
Track 12, start time 45:23:65
Track 13, start time 49:28:20
Track 14, start time 57:16:27
Track 15, start time 58:31:72
Track 16, start time 59:41:15
Track 17, start time 63:19:00
Track 18, start time 70:43:27
Audio CD reading succeeded.
Get drive speed succeeded.
The drive CDR speeds are: 4 10 16 24 32 40.
The drive CDRW speeds are: 4.
The drive DVDR speeds are: 4.
The drive DVDRW speeds are: 4.


The last failed data CD or DVD burn had error code 261(0x00000105). It happened on drive D: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-112D on CDR media at speed 0X.

The solution to getting back to version 7.2 is in under the topic "for those who cannot back up with 7.3" IT WORKS!!

Apple will not let me post the site since they do not support it, but dozens of people have posted saying their backup is fixed.

Yay! I downloaded V7.2 and not only did it fix up my backup to DVD problem, but it also fixed up a problem where V7.3 corrupted all my photos and would now allow me to copy any new ones across.

Thanks everyone for your perseverence.

Same exact problem here. F$%^&*( Apple.

I had the same problem. I uninstalled 7.3 and reinstalled 7.2 and the problem is now fixed. 7.3 has a bug in the backup routine. Good luck!

There is a new 7.3.1 available for download. It only semi-fixed it. Now it keeps ejecting the disk and telling me to insert a blank one! They are blank!!!!

Come on Apple, get your f *ing act together!!

Why is it always the backup that screws up? It's not just this release.

Every single time a new version of iTunes comes out I have to re-upgrade the firmware to my dvd burner.

iPod 5th Gen 30GB Video - iTunes 7.0.2.16 - Firmware 1.2.1 - Sony Vaio PCV-RZ44G Windows XP Pro A+ Certified PC Technician. PC, not Mac 🙂