How do I run a 'check disk' on my iPod Classic (Windows XP OS)

Question

How do I run a 'check disk' on my iPod Classic (Windows XP OS)

I have been having a lot of issues recently with iTunes and my iPod (ipod Classic, 160Gb version at FW 1.1.1; Windoows XP user) not wanting to sync and throwing a dozen different error codes.

I want to run a check disk to see if there are any disk errors on my iPod's HD, but I am uncertain if simply marking it for disk use, then running the standard Check Disk I would run in XP would damage my iPod.

Anyone have any 'official' word on whether or not it is ok to do so or any experience with having done so?

Thanks

iPod 160 GB, Windows XP

Posted on Mar 24, 2008 5:33 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

turingtest2

Level 10

272,725 points

Mar 24, 2008 6:13 PM in response to Liz Bolyard-Mick

*Checking 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 (if present) in the logical & physical structures of your iPod's hard drive.

tt2

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Answer 2

Mar 25, 2008 8:30 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks for the How-To. I'm worried though about using my Windows utilities for the disk check, because I simply don't understand enough about how the magic works.

I've read in some other forums that a check disk can render the ipod unplayable; however, I've now also read as many good reports of using this utility.

I've checked for this, but I haven't found anything yet - are there any apple help pages that promote this instruction, or has it been a user suggestion only?

Thanks again for your help.

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

272,725 points

Mar 26, 2008 6:42 PM in response to Liz Bolyard-Mick

I can't find any offical support docs that suggest using check disk, but it only makes changes if it finds errors and you give it permission to repair them. If it does find any problems such as crosslinked files or unreadable sectors these would be causing problems for the iPod and correcting them can only help. You may still need to restore the iPod to replace files affected by any issues found. Judging by the presence of this site http://www.methodshop.com/gadgets/ipodsupport/erase/index.shtml it would appear that restore is not a guaranteed cure-all so I suspect that restore doesn't actually initiate a low-level format, but rather attempts to delete the contents of the folder tree. If this fails then the restored iPod may inherit problems from the pre-restore state.

tt2

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Answer 4

yoplait

Level 2

150 points

Mar 28, 2008 7:36 AM in response to Liz Bolyard-Mick

You can try CopyTrans Doctor http://www.copytrans.net/doctor.php
In addition to the disk check, it will repair your iPod disk errors (bad sectors).

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