Nano Max Number Songs??

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Level 1

5 points

Nano Max Number Songs??

I have an 8 GB Nano 3G. I am attempting to load a large number (10,000+) of small mp3s onto it. (Space is not an issue, as these mp3s total less than 5 GB in size.) While I can transfer the songs without problem, after disconnecting, the iPod then reboots itself constantly and will not operate properly. The songs are on the Nano - I have verified this by connecting in disk mode. However the iPod software chokes when it is booting. At 4000+ mp3s I do not have this problem. Is there some sort of built-in max number of songs the iPod software can handle? If so, is there a way to increase that number?

Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Nov 5, 2008 5:01 PM

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Answer 1

Stanton

Level 3

734 points

Nov 6, 2008 12:08 PM in response to Paul Cozza

Theoretically there's no song limit, but (obviously) practically there must be. I think you've performed a "test" that Apple should have long ago. I can't imagine ever having that many songs on my iPod, but now I know I HOPE I never have to.

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Answer 2

Paul Cozza Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 13, 2008 9:59 AM in response to Stanton

Here's some further information I've been able to glean. It doesn't appear to be either a song or playlist quantity limitation. I've spoken with an Apple tech at a genius bar, and he confirms that. He suggested that the problem might be one or more corrupt MP3s, but I've been able to eliminate that possibility. The situation gets more bizarre the more I work on the problem. I have manually downloaded all the MP3s onto the Nano, then recreated the playlists I want on the Nano. Seems to work fine... UNTIL i reboot the Nano. Then it crashes repeatedly... UNTIL I reconnect it to iTunes. Then it runs fine again! Go figure. I've uploaded the MP3s and playlists to an old iPod Photo, and everything works fine there (although I don't have the same folder structure as on the Nano). My best guess now is a Nano software problem. Any ideas anyone?

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Answer 3

Jan 29, 2009 4:42 AM in response to Paul Cozza

Hi all,
I just trapped into nearly the same problem here in germany.
I have a brand new Ipod nano 3G with SW. 1.1.3. (8GB). As the iPod should work as a generator of DTMF tones continously, I have placed about 15000 MP3s with itunes. The other file types are MP3 files with a length of 1 s to 30 minutes playtime.
All these MP3 files have been generated with a lame encoder and proofed for conformance.
My problem is even worse, the nano does boot - but not until it can be recognized on USB. I did resets about 5 times so far and waited for more than 10 min. each.
I called the support and they confirmed that there "should not" be a restriction to a certain amount of files.
So as it cannot be found on USB I have to ship it back as it is completely unusable now. The people on our support line asked me to call again when I see this problem on the next iPod. When it should occur again, they want to escalate it to the engineering. For me it looks like a reproducable problem.

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