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The required disk cannot be found

I changed the settings on my iPod nano so that it would sync songs from a new playlist I created. However, once I did that and hit "Sync", it kept telling me that the iPod cannot be synced because the required disk cannot be found. I tried ejecting and plugging in my iPod again, however, every time I plug it back in the settings go back to the original, and I have to change them to sync to the new playlist again. But every time I do this, I keep getting the same error message (The required disk cannot be found). So I deleted the old playlist entirely and as a result, all the songs on my iPod disappeared and it now keeps giving me a message that the playlists to sync to no longer exist. And if I try to change the settings so it would sync to the new playlist, I once again keep getting the message that the required disk cannot be found. Can anyone help?

iPod Nano (3rd Generation), Windows XP

Posted on Feb 18, 2008 7:50 AM

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9 replies

Feb 20, 2008 7:45 PM in response to riya_b

Use this tip at your own risk. If it works on my PC, it can work on yours.

For the ones having that iTunes problem, which iTunes recognizes the iPod but doesn't sync and shows the message "iPod cannot be synced. Required disk cannot be found" or ""The iPod could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (1418)", here's my advice:

1 - Read the Apple Troubleshooting article available at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304996. Try every solutions, even the one saying "Try deleting or removing any third-party Windows OS skins, Windows themes, or desktop mods that are installed(...)". Yes, you should uninstall VistaMizer. He's the one who messed up your computer.

2 - Still not working? Try reinstalling your iTunes, but backup your library first.

3 - And finally, the solution which really worked well. Disconnect your iPod, close iTunes. Remove the iPod from the dock, open "My Computer" and leave the window on a visible spot. Place the iPod on the dock. Check if any new removable drives appear. If it does, keep reading. If not, then I'm afraid I can't help you. Now that we can see the iPod drive, open iTunes. [POINT OF RESTART] Put the new songs you want, as much as you want, or delete the old ones, do something that trigger the automatic syncing by iTunes. The software will try to sync, and it probably will show the same problem as before. Don't panic, everything is fine, don't use CTRL ALTDEL, please. Just close the window displaying the odd message when it appears. Leave iTunes open, displaying your iPod content. Go back to the "My Computer" window. Leave it on a visible spot. Now let's start the magic, go to "Start" -> "Control Panel" -> "Add New Hardware". Click on "Next". You will see your iPod drive reappearing on the "My Computer" window. Just return to the iTunes window, click on "File", "Sync iPod" and it's done. After syncing, the iPod drive will disappear from the "My Computer" window. To sync again, repeat the operation from the point of restart. To eject your iPod, do it as you would do on a normal operation.

That is just a trick, but it works perfectly while Apple doesn't release a bug fix. Forcing the detection of the iPod drive was the only solution that I found after hours trying to make my brand new iPod Shuffle work. Sorry for any misunderstandings caused by bad english.

Solution by Renato Caggiano Concilio
*Keep the credits, please!*

Feb 25, 2008 11:37 PM in response to ReCaCon

I would like to thank you for this post. What a stupid way of having to fix the situation but it worked.

However, in my case I had to add one extra step. After I opened iTunes with the Shuffle connected, I attempted to run the add hardware wizard and nothing was found. I then tried to update the driver for the "Apple IPOD USB Device" showing in device manager and this did not work either.

So finally, I uninstalled the Apple IPOD USB Device from device manager, and then ran the add hardware wizard. At this point it found both the Apple IPOD USB Device and the Volume that it needed for iTunes to work.

Thanks for the help. Way to go Apple on releasing a product your users must hack to have work...

May 1, 2008 6:17 PM in response to stylecramp

Thanks to Stylecramp! I just bought an ipod touch this morning and have wasted an entire day because I kept getting 'the required disk cannot be found', even with the latest version of iTunes. I tried every tip from every user I could find, but when I finally tried yours, it worked like a charm. I'm finally syncing. Thank you SO much!!

The required disk cannot be found

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