Ipod Classic 160 GB Large Library

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Ipod Classic 160 GB Large Library

Hi,
I have a problem with my new iPod Classic. The device is new and only has been used on apple osx systems with the most actual software (including iPod Firmware).
My music is stored on a ReadyNAS Systems, my library is about 126 GB in file size and abaut 24.700 songs. On my initial sync (automatic, whole library) the process broke after about 10 GB of data, with the error: your device can´t be found, is not writable...

I tried to fix this in several ways:
- checked for deleted songs (none)
- synced only smaler parts (breaks on diferent amounts on data)
- tried to find "wrong" songs (a break in the automatical sync doesn´t mean that you can´t sync it manually
- tried to make shure i don´t have network problems (connected the ReadyNAS directly)
- tried to check if i have problems with a certain computer (used my MacBook Pro and the Mac mini instead of my iMac)
- check all volumes für possible errors (including computers, the ipod and ReadyNAS)
- checked for wrong user right on ReadyNAS

Problem stays after 20 days of syncing the same only a differnt amount of data is transfered.

I didn´t find any fitting solution for my problem, but i would be really happy if someone could help me before i go crazy with my new toy.

Sorry for my english, had some hard days 😉
Daniel

MacBook Po, Mac OS X (10.5.2), ipod 160 GB classic

Posted on Mar 18, 2008 1:44 PM

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Answer 1

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jrayb

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Apr 4, 2008 2:07 PM in response to mohntt

Hi I think I had the same error message with the first ipod classic 160gb purchased it would not get as far as syncing my whole library (only a meager 60 gb of music) I tried everything to cure the problem (manual sync, changed ipod cable, tried a different usb port etc) but would always fail at some point in the syncing process (not always at the same point so not a corrupt music file stopping it however it would manually sync a playlist okay), its then I looked in the console logs to find out when it failed I got disk error messages pointing to the ipod disk.

Had trouble convincing the place I brought from that it was the ipod rather than my machine but they agreed to swap it (with a few comments like you will be back even though I printed the console log to show them) however the second ipod I had synced first time with no problems and I have had no problems since.

Might be worth running another sync and checking the console logs for the time it failed to see if your getting the same problem and if so I would contact apple again to get them to replace you ipod.

Hope your problems get sorted I know I was very frustated trying to get the problem solved, good luck

Jamie.

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Apr 4, 2008 3:43 PM in response to mohntt

It's probably worth thorougly checking both your iPod and your data drive for errors.

*Checking iPod hard-drive for errors*
Hold Menu+Select on the iPod for about 6 seconds until it resets, then hold Menu+Play as soon as the Apple logo appears, again for about 6 seconds to put the machine in disk mode. Connect to your computer, closing iTunes if it opens. Browse *My Computer* and right-click on the drive for the iPod, click Properties, then click Tools. Under Error-checking, click *Check Now*. Under Check disk options, select *Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors* (Optional - takes ages but a good idea if you've reason to suspect physical damage). Click Start. Mac users should run *Disk Utility / Repair Disk* for the equivalent process. This should find and correct any errors in the logical & physical structures of your iPod's hard drive. Once these have been fixed you can reset the iPod (hold Menu+Select ) and should stand a better chance of a successful restore.

You might also want to check your power saving options. Windows might be trying to put the drives to sleep because you've not been typing, even though they're frantically busy transferring data....

tt2

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Mar 18, 2008 4:35 PM in response to mohntt

What value did you have for *selected by*? I guess anything works except random. Have you perfomed a disk check on the iPod? One of your earlier crashes may have left some sort of logical error on the drive.

tt2

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Answer 4

mohntt Author

Level 1

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Mar 18, 2008 3:57 PM in response to turingtest2

Hi tt2,

this is what i already did. I set up a new smart playlist with the size of 2 GB. Each sync i increased the size by 2 gb. After each second sync i stopped and quitted the connection (as the quitting takes longer with larger librarys i thought it would be a good idea).

Result was quite different (sort order was the same), once i managed to sync about 80 gb (in 2 gb steps), once only 20 gb, but i did not manage to sync all of my music.

I hope i don´t need even smaler steps? I only sync my music, no pictures, podcasts...
BTW: Syncing with my iphone is absolutly no problem (shure only at a max of nearly 8 gb).

Thanks for your help
Daniel

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Answer 5

mohntt Author

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Apr 4, 2008 5:58 AM in response to mohntt

I did some more testing, watching iTunes the whole day 😟
Before the iPod gets unavailable iTunes gets slower, just before the error a normal song with a size of avout 5 mb takes about 4 minutes to sync.

I do not use any usb hubs, the ipod is connected directly to my iMac (my other macs show the same behaviour) with the original cable (i already changed it once).

Can someone help?

Message was edited by: mohntt

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Answer 6

mohntt Author

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Apr 4, 2008 1:28 AM in response to turingtest2

Hi tt2,

thanks again. I tested it by different sortorders, which didn´t change anything.

Meanwhile the ipod was for a check with apple support in the netherlands, as the phone support wasn´t able to help me. But they sent it back with the remakr to be ok.

Tried again to synchronize, same problem, after differnt numbers of songs.

I now copied all my music to my local drive (to avoid any possible network problem), but also with the solution the synchronizations fails after a different number of songs 😟

Is there perhabs any way to check my library if there are some songs which are "broken"? I did check if all files which are in the library are really on the drive.

Thanks
Daniel

Message was edited by: mohntt

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Answer 7

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Mar 18, 2008 3:51 PM in response to mohntt

Hi, restore your iPod then try this method to put your data on to it.

*Break up large transfers*
In iTunes select the menu item *File... New Smart Playlist*. Change the first drop-down box to Playlist, the next to is and the next to Music. Tick against *Limit to*, type in say 10, then change the drop-down to GB, and set the last drop-down to artist. When you click OK you can enter a name for the playlist, e.g. Transfer. Now sync this playlist only to your iPod rather than your entire library. When the sync is complete modify the rule ( *File... Edit playlist* ) to increase the size by your chosen amount, then sync and repeat. You can experiment with different size increments, if it doesn't work just choose something a bit smaller until it works each time. Before long you should have all your music on your iPod. Once that's done you can move on to other media such as podcasts, videos, photos etc.

tt2

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